Any organization and its products or services interested in entering into a partnership with National Stroke Association should embody or promote the following core values:

• Health and wellness
• Hope
• Empowerment

National Stroke Association has established minimum requirements for cause marketing relationships:

• All partnership opportunities must align with National Stroke Association’s mission and have a positive reflection on our organization.
• Partners must have a minimum of one year of established business operations and remain in good standing.
• National Stroke Association will not engage with corporations who make false and/or unsubstantiated claims about products or services.
• Partner organizations must agree to disseminate stroke-related educational materials at each opportunity.
• Promotions cannot imply endorsement of products or services.
• If a commercial co-venture tactic is employed, a minimum contribution of 10 percent of the retail price for cause-related products or services is required.
• A minimum annual contribution is required (accumulated in part from the percentage above).

• National Stroke Association does not sell, loan or distribute its mailing list or email addresses to third parties.
• National Stroke Association does not enter into cause marketing relationships in the following business categories:
  • Firearms
  • Multi-level marketing models
  • Tobacco
  • Hard alcohol (please see exception for wineries below)
  • Other types of business as determined
• National Stroke Association will partner with wineries within the following parameters:
  • National Stroke Association can accept direct donations from wineries or from a wine-related event as long as it is not directly associated with a cause marketing promotion, which implies the organization’s endorsement and helps to further sales of that product in the market place.
  • Wineries may engage in National Stroke Association’s Proud Partner program, which will allow for the use of National Stroke Association’s logo and additional benefits on select distribution channels.

Uses of National Stroke Association’s name, logo or any of its licensed marks are strictly prohibited until a legal agreement with the desired party has been reached.

All cause marketing relationships must meet the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards and be in compliance with the law. For example, BBB Standard 19 requires that all advertisements and promotional materials related to a cause marketing relationship clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services. Such promotions, advertisements and/or displays should disclose: (1) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price will benefit the charity; (2) the duration of the campaign; and (3) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount. Disclosures stating only that the charity will receive “proceeds”, “profits”, “net proceeds” or some other general financial benefit as a result of sales will not meet this standard.

Partner organizations may be required to register in certain states as a “commercial co-venturer.” In its simplest terms, a commercial co-venture is a relationship where an organization promotes a product or service and represents to the public that a portion of the proceeds will benefit a cause. If the product or service is being promoted in a state that requires commercial co-venturer registration, the organization conducting the program/promotion must file certain documents with that state’s Attorney General’s office (or other state designated entity). The specific documents that must be filed will vary from state to state, but will generally include a registration statement and a copy of the contract. Although National Stroke Association cannot give legal advice to organizations that conduct programs/promotions with us, we do advise them to seek legal counsel to ensure that they comply with these registration requirements.

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