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Leveling Up �Partners of Opportunity

June 9, 2026

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NAMIWalks �Team Introductions

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What are NAMIWalks 10 Minute Trainings?

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Agenda

  • Leveling Up Partners of Opportunity
    • Identifying Partners of Opportunity
    • Determining Opportunities to Level Up
    • Engaging Partners of Opportunity
    • Real Examples
  • Recommended Resources
  • Q&A

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Leveling Up �Partners of Opportunity

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Identifying Partners of Opportunity

Who Are Partners of Opportunity?

Current sponsors, past sponsors, team captains, walk stars, almost walk stars, vendors, and volunteers.

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How to Find Partners of Opportunity

  • Sponsorship lists
  • Team reports
  • Participant reports
  • Talk the Walk notes

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Determining Opportunities to Level Up

What does “Leveling Up” mean?

The opportunity to “level up” means this partner has the potential to do more for NAMIWalks in some capacity with additional support and encouragement. This may look like:

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  • Increased sponsorship commitments
  • Start/grow a team
  • Increase fundraising goals
  • Join the committee
  • Serve as a champion or mentor

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How to Engage Partners of Opportunity

Engaging Partners of Opportunity is not just about making an ask, it’s about strengthening the relationship. Prioritize connection, impact, and invitation.

  • Connection - lead with gratitude, get to know their story, and understand their why
  • Impact - share event results, local stories, current programming progress, and future goals
  • Invitation - ask them to join you in a specific capacity

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Real Examples

A Healthcare System that has sponsored NAMIWalks for 4 years…

  • During the connection phase you learn they are working to implement more workplace mental health supports for their employees, you offer NAMI workplace mental health resources and after a few months you follow up to see how things are going and ask them to consider making a super team with a goal.

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  • During your next walk season the Healthcare System starts a super team and you coach them to start a challenge between the department teams. The Healthcare System ends up being your top team this next season.

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Real Examples

A Walk Star registered as an individual this past year...

  • When you shared the impact your Family-to-Family program is having, the Walk Star mentioned a friend that may benefit from the course, but that they are hesitant to be in a smaller group talking about their challenges. You suggest they invite them to join them on a NAMIWalks team to see what the NAMI community is like.

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  • Throughout the season the Walk Star and their friend both reach Walk Star status, together their team had 5 members, and the friend enjoyed the walk so much that she felt comfortable checking out the Family-to-Family course.

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Recommended Resources

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Recommended Resources

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Teams of Opportunity Tracker

Located in the Participant and Team Coaching section on the Walk Manager Resource Center

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Recommended Resources

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DonorDrive Quick Guide

There are several report guides within the DonorDrive Quick Guide located at

namiwalks.org/quickguide

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