Grounded in relationships, built to last.
I help nonprofits build corporate and institutional partnership programs they can own, grow, and run with confidence.
Built for small to mid-size organizations with at least one dedicated development staff member and a genuine desire to grow their community of support.
I'm Joey Schmidt, founder and principal of Buddy Co. I've been an artist my whole life and a fundraiser for most of my career. Somewhere in between, I spent a couple years teaching. What I build here are the corporate and institutional partnership programs that help an organization grow its community of advocates, partners who bring their time, treasure, and talent closer to your cause. And because I came up as a teacher, I build them so your team can run them without me. The artist in me hears what's underneath a problem and helps you tell the story that makes the right partners want in and stay.
$7M+
raised across corporate, foundation, and in-kind partners
100+
corporate and institutional partners managed and stewarded
8+
years in nonprofit fundraising and leadership
Ground Floor
When you're starting a corporate partnership program from scratch.
Best for: Early-stage or grassroots nonprofits building a corporate partnership program for the first time. One dedicated development staff member or an ED wearing the development hat. For organizations with a $500K-$3M annual budget.
BUILD
Room Service
When your program works and you're ready to grow it.
Best for: Nonprofits with an existing corporate partnership program and someone running it, ready to grow it more intentionally. For organizations with a $2M-$10M annual budget.
RUN
The Residency
When your program's stalled and needs a rebuild.
Best for: Established nonprofits with a development team whose corporate partnership program has plateaued or stalled. Ready for a full rebuild. For organizations with a $5M+ annual budget.
FIX
Take their word for it
“Joey brought energy, creativity, and strategic vision to the museum’s corporate giving program at a critical time. His ability to build meaningful relationships, connect funders with true needs, and focus on long-term, sustainable success made him an invaluable member of our team. He also served as a fantastic mentor for less tenured staff and was so fun to work with.”
Randall Roberts
Associate Vice President of Development, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Currently partnering with consulting firms on engagements across environmental, civic, and community-centered nonprofits.
Ready to build something that lasts?
