Strategy & Partnership Hub
A comprehensive strategy framework for Ubumwe Corporation — covering corporate sponsorship, core messaging, pitch assets, outreach templates, and CRM infrastructure. All built from your Google Drive and organizational data.
"Ubumwe seeks to unify and empower Burundian refugees in the diaspora as they pursue higher education and careers through mentorship and tangible support."
Corporate Sponsorship Strategy
A structured framework for securing $75,000–$150,000 in annual corporate partnerships, diversifying Ubumwe's revenue base, and building long-term relationships with mission-aligned companies across the DMV region and beyond.
Strategic Goals for 2026
| Goal | Target | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Secure 3–5 anchor corporate sponsors | $50,000–$100,000 | Q2–Q3 2026 |
| Establish 5–10 event-level sponsors | $15,000–$30,000 | Q1–Q4 2026 (rolling) |
| Build pipeline of 25+ qualified prospects | — | Q1 2026 |
| Launch formal tiered sponsorship program | — | March 2026 |
| Renew 80%+ of Year 1 sponsors | — | Q1 2027 |
Target Industries
| Priority | Industry |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Financial Services & Banking |
| Tier 1 | Technology & Innovation |
| Tier 1 | Higher Education & EdTech |
| Tier 1 | Healthcare & Wellness |
| Tier 2 | Law & Professional Services |
| Tier 2 | Energy & Utilities |
| Tier 2 | Retail & Consumer Brands |
Sponsorship Tiers
- Premier logo on all materials & events
- Speaking opportunity at Annual Dinner
- Custom impact report
- Employee volunteer day (20 staff)
- Quarterly leadership meetings
- 4 social media features/year
- Logo on website, events & newsletter
- Recognition at 2 major events
- 2 social media features/year
- Annual impact report
- Volunteer opportunity (10 staff)
- Semi-annual leadership check-in
- Logo on website & newsletter
- Recognition at 1 major event
- 1 social media feature/year
- Annual impact report summary
- Invitation to Annual Dinner
- Name/logo on sponsor page
- Recognition in annual newsletter
- Invitation to Annual Dinner
- Tax-deductible donation letter
Grant Pipeline Status
- Not Started
- Completed
- Rejected
- Accepted
- Completed
- Rejected
| Grant / Foundation | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Philip L. Graham | Not Started | Mar 1, 2026 |
| Bank of America | Not Started | Mar 2, 2026 |
| The Jones Foundation | Not Started | May 1, 2026 |
| Cloudbreak Foundation | Not Started | Sep 25, 2026 |
| Sparkplug Foundation | Completed | Oct 15, 2025 |
| Dominion Energy | Not Started | Sep 25, 2025 |
| Tony Robbins Foundation | Rejected | Jul 25, 2025 |
| Comis Foundation | Rejected | Aug 31, 2025 |
Core Messaging Framework
Tagline Options
Audience-Specific Messaging
"Ubumwe is where your CSR investment becomes a career. When you sponsor Ubumwe, you're not just funding a nonprofit — you're funding the next generation of diverse professionals in the DMV workforce."
"Your donation doesn't just help a student apply to college. It gives a refugee the confidence to believe they belong there."
"Ubumwe was born from a simple truth: when you've navigated the hardest road, you have the deepest wisdom to share. We are a community of Burundian refugees and allies, united by the belief that education changes everything."
"Ubumwe addresses the intersection of refugee resettlement, educational equity, and workforce development — three of the most pressing social issues in the DMV region. With 8 years of demonstrated impact, a lean and dedicated team, and a growing network of institutional partners, Ubumwe is positioned for transformational scale."
Brand Voice
Corporate Pitch Deck
A 10-slide pitch deck structured for corporate sponsorship presentations. Each slide is outlined below with key talking points and visual guidance.
Ubumwe Corporation — Uniting Purpose. Empowering Potential. A Proposal for Corporate Partnership.
Thousands of talented Burundian refugee students face systemic barriers: complex applications, financial hardship, limited networks, and cultural gaps.
Founded by refugees who navigated this path. Core programs: College & Career Workshops, Peer Mentorship, Community Events, Resource Navigation.
150+ community members. 35 success stories. Partnerships with Georgetown, World Bank/IMF, UN.
Mission alignment, brand visibility, authentic community access, talent pipeline, tax-deductible contributions (EIN 99-3651055).
Champion ($25K+), Builder ($10K), Supporter ($5K), Friend ($1K). Custom and in-kind partnerships available.
Turkey Bowl (Nov), Annual Fundraising Dinner (Oct), Developing Burundi Series (Mar/Apr), Tuvugane Gala (May).
Alexander Abel (President), Nehemia Abel (VP), Jean-Marie Hakizimana (Treasurer), Madeleine Hiniye (Director of Programs), Taylor Lowe (Communications).
Seeking [Tier] Sponsor to expand mentorship to 50 new students, launch SAT/ACT prep, and increase scholarship fund.
Nehemia Abel · [email protected] · (540) 836-7386 · ubumwe.net · @ubumwe_dmv
One-Pager
To unify and empower Burundian refugees in the diaspora as they pursue higher education and careers through mentorship and tangible support.
"Ubumwe gave me more than just help with my college application. It gave me a community that believed in me."
Tailored Pitches
"Good evening. My name is [Your Name], and I want to tell you a story about a bridge."
It's not a bridge of steel or stone. It's a bridge of hope, of community, of shared experience. It's the bridge that a young Burundian refugee must cross to get from a new, unfamiliar country to a college classroom. To their first real job. To a future their parents dreamed of.
For many of these students, that bridge seems impossibly long. The potential is there — the ambition, the talent, the resilience. But the bridge is missing. That's why we built Ubumwe.
"Your donation doesn't just help a student apply to college. It gives a refugee the confidence to believe they belong there."
"What does it take to build a future in a new country? It takes resilience. It takes ambition. And more than anything, it takes community."
Hi, we're Ubumwe. Our name means "unity" in Kirundi, the language of Burundi. We are a nonprofit organization founded by Burundian refugees right here in the DMV. Our mission is simple: we believe that no student should have to navigate the path to college and a career alone.
"Together, we are Ubumwe. Together, we rise."
Outreach Content & Templates
Ready-to-use email templates and social media messaging for corporate outreach, post-event follow-up, and partnership development. Click "Copy" to copy any template to your clipboard.
Email Templates
Dear [Contact Name], My name is [Your Name], and I am the [Your Title] at Ubumwe Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering Burundian refugees in the DMV region as they pursue higher education and build meaningful careers. Given [Company Name]'s demonstrated commitment to [mention CSR priority], I believe a partnership with Ubumwe could create a powerful and mutually beneficial impact. For eight years, Ubumwe has been a vital bridge for talented, resilient young people who face systemic barriers to success. We provide mentorship, career development workshops, and a strong community network that has already helped 35 members graduate and launch their careers. Would you be open to a brief 15-minute call next week to explore how a partnership could align with your community goals? Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name] Ubumwe Corporation ubumwe.net
Dear [Attendee Name], On behalf of the entire Ubumwe team, thank you for joining us at our [Event Name]! It was a wonderful evening of community, celebration, and shared purpose. Your presence and support mean the world to us. Because of you, we can continue to provide mentorship, career workshops, and life-changing support to young Burundian refugees in our community. If you were inspired by the stories you heard and would like to continue supporting our work, please consider making a donation today. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us build the bridge to a brighter future. Donate: ubumwe.net/donate-for-change Zelle: [email protected] Thank you for being part of the Ubumwe family. Warmly, The Ubumwe Team
Dear [Contact Name], My name is [Your Name], and I lead Ubumwe Corporation, a nonprofit founded by and for Burundian refugees in the DMV. Our mission is to provide the mentorship and support that first-generation refugee students need to thrive in higher education. We've had great success partnering with institutions like Georgetown University on panel discussions and workshops, and we believe a collaboration with [University Name] could be incredibly valuable for your students. We would love to explore opportunities to partner — whether through a joint workshop on financial aid, a campus visit for our high school members, or by connecting your Burundian student population with our mentorship network. Are you available for a brief chat next week? Thank you, [Your Name] Ubumwe Corporation
Social Media Posts
We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with [Company Name]! Their commitment to [aligned value] will directly support our mentorship programs, empowering the next generation of Burundian leaders in the DMV workforce. Thank you, [Company Tag], for investing in our community. #Ubumwe #CommunityPartnership #WorkforceDevelopment #DEI
Did you know? 35 Ubumwe members have successfully graduated from college and launched their careers. This is the power of mentorship. This is the power of community. This is the power of Ubumwe. Learn how you can support our mission at ubumwe.net. #UbumweImpact #MentorshipMatters #RefugeeSuccess
Meet Jean-Claude. When he arrived in the U.S., college felt like an impossible dream. Through Ubumwe's mentorship program, he graduated with a degree in computer science. Today, he's a software engineer AND a mentor to two new Ubumwe students. ✨ This is what unity looks like. #Ubumwe #SuccessStory #Community
Mark your calendars! ⚽️ The annual Ubumwe Turkey Bowl is back! Join us on November 26th for a day of soccer, community, and giving back. All proceeds support our mentorship programs for refugee youth. Link in bio to register your team! #UbumweTurkeyBowl #SoccerForGood #DMV
2026 Events Calendar
| Month | Event | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Mar | LinkedIn Virtual Workshop | Nehemia Abel |
| Mar | Woman's History Month Live Chat | Team |
| Apr | Developing Burundi '26 | Nehemia & Taylor |
| May | Tuvugane Gala (May 25–26) | Alexander Abel |
| Jun | Senior Send-off Dinner | Jean-Marie |
| Jul | Burundi Independence Day Celebration | Jean-Marie |
| Oct | Ubumwe 9th Anniversary Dinner | Alexander Abel |
| Nov | Ubumwe Turkey Bowl (Nov 26) | Nehemia Abel |
| Dec | Finals Care Package | Alexander Abel |
CRM & Mailing List Plan
A structured plan to clean, organize, and segment Ubumwe's contact database — transforming a basic mailing list into a strategic asset for targeted communications, fundraising, and meaningful engagement.
Cleanup Process
Export all contacts from Fundraising Dinner Attendees.xlsx and other lists into a single master CSV. Columns: First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Organization, Job Title, Source, Date Added.
Remove duplicates (by email), standardize name casing with =PROPER() formula, validate emails with an online tool, and format phone numbers consistently.
Add a Tags column to the master CSV. Apply engagement level, relationship type, interest area, and communication list tags to each contact.
Import the cleaned CSV into Mailchimp (immediate use) and plan migration to HubSpot for Nonprofits as the organization scales.
Audience Segments
Individuals who have donated in the past 12 months
Donors who have not given in 12+ months
Companies identified as potential sponsors
Active volunteers and mentors in the program
Individuals who attended at least one Ubumwe event
Subscribers who have not yet engaged further
Recommended Tools
Best for email marketing and basic tagging. Free plan is generous and matches existing account.
Powerful free CRM with robust contact management and segmentation. Ideal as Ubumwe grows.
Free fundraising platform with donor management and email tools. Great for donation tracking.
Fellowship Achievements (Nehemia Abel)
| Fellowship / Forum | Status |
|---|---|
| UN Perm AFR Descent Forum | Accepted |
| WB/IMF Spring Meetings '25 | Accepted |
| GFMD Youth Migration Forum | Accepted |
| Global Good Fund Fellowship | Completed |
| Western Union Fellowship | Completed |
| One Young World Summit | Completed |
| WB/IMF Fall Meetings '25 | Accepted |
| UNESCO Global Youth Community | Completed |