Biography

Joe Waters is a respected writer, speaker, consultant and expert on cause marketing and business giving.

He’s known for his popular blog, Selfishgiving.com, his expertise in creating and executing win-win partnerships between nonprofits and companies, and his wicked Boston accent!

Joe has been working with nonprofits and businesses for over two decades and has raised millions of dollars from local, regional and national corporate partners. He’s worked with many local and national companies, including Pepsi, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Borders Books, Staples, Zipcar, Fuddruckers, Virgin America and The Boston Bruins.

A sought after speaker, Joe has presented to hundreds of organizations. He’s the author of three books, including Cause Marketing for Dummies, and has written for many publications, including Fast Company, QSR MagazineHuffington Post, Forbes, Mediapost, Nonprofit Quarterly, Chronicle of Philanthropy and Healthcare Philanthropy Journal.

Joe’s been quoted in many publications, including The New York Times, Reuters, INC.com, and The Nonprofit Times. He’s also appeared on HuffPost Live.

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Testimonials

Joe brought his unique knowledge on fundraising and marketing to a group of 70 domestic violence advocates who included nonprofit organizations, small business owners, corporate employees and partners. Attendees used Joe’s valuable information to develop plans for their own communities that they will implement over the coming year. Bravo!
– Laura Glaza, Allstate
Joe is the go-to guy for all thing cause marketing. He's an excellent trainer with deep knowledge of the subject matter, great real-life examples of successful campaigns, and a conversational presentation style that puts participants at ease. He cares about helping organizations be successful, and is available for follow-up questions and advice. And his curation of online resources is an absolute treasure trove!
– Suzanne Graney, Four Diamonds
A brilliant talk this morning. Joe was inspiring, funny and shared a wealth of knowledge. Such a refreshing, knock your socks off presentation and perfect for our UK audience.
– Jonathan Andrews, Conference Chair
Joe was an energetic and memorable presenter who engaged the audience from the moment he set foot in the room. He encouraged questions and really made attendees think about cause marketing on a much deeper level by bringing them into the conversation. Joe definitely brought us to the heart of cause marketing!
– Mark Shamley, President & CEO, ACCP
Our group was enthused by the insights and ideas you shared. They were engaged from the moment they met you. Thanks!
– Lori Tsuruda, President, Directors of Volunteer Administration (DOVA)
Joe Waters’ down-to-earth communication style really drove home the value of cause marketing for today’s nonprofit organizations. Our corporate partners were completely engaged throughout his presentation and eager to hear how their businesses could engage more effectively with us. Joe also delivered a presentation for our affiliate organizations who learned tangible ideas to execute cause marketing campaigns in their local communities. Feedback from our affiliates was that of resounding enthusiasm for how cause marketing could benefit them.
– Charley Shimanski, President & CEO, Rebuilding Together
Joe has been speaking at Cause Marketing Forum for many years and is consistently highly rated by attendees. He’s engaging, informative, practical and funny! He’s a leader in the industry, and it shows in his speaking.
– David Hessekiel, Cause Marketing Forum

Booksby Joe Waters

Fundraising with Businesses: 40 New (and Improved!) Strategies for Nonprofits

Cause Marketing For Dummies

QR Codes For Dummies

Blog Posts

Become a Powerful Leader By Inspiring Others Through Your Actions

Executive coach and keynote speaker Amy Eliza Wong shares how she empowers leaders to transform everyday interactions into trust-building, impactful moments.

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How Belonging Creates Workplace Magic with Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky

What if the secret to a thriving workplace lies in the power of belonging? Learn insights on business success with from keynote speaker Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky.

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Top Keynote Speakers on the Future of Work

What does the future of work look like? The workplace is changing at an unprecedented pace. AI, automation, hybrid work, generational shifts, and evolving leadership dynamics are reshaping how we work, hire, and collaborate. As...

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Innovative Event Networking Tactics for Unforgettable Experiences

Insights on next-level networking strategies for events that help transform passive event experiences into active, connected opportunities.

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Humor Is The Ultimate Business Strategy For Success

Learn how humor drives authentic communication and team cohesion in business with insights from keynote speaker Greg Schwem, the king of corporate comedy.

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Here’s Why Customer Experience is an Essential Skill for Event Planners

Learn customer experience insights in event planning from keynote speaker Dennis Snow—from Disney-level service excellence to seamless event design.

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Blog Posts

 

Become a Powerful Leader By Inspiring Others Through Your Actions

What makes a leader truly exceptional beyond simply completing daily tasks? In a world where...

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How Belonging Creates Workplace Magic with Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky

What if the secret to a thriving workplace isn’t more perks or policies—but the power...

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Top Keynote Speakers on the Future of Work

What does the future of work look like? The workplace is changing at an unprecedented...

Read More

Innovative Event Networking Tactics for Unforgettable Experiences

Have you ever wondered what truly sets apart the most memorable events? The secret isn’t...

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Humor Is The Ultimate Business Strategy For Success

Feeling weighed down by stress at work? Imagine being in an environment where laughter isn’t...

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Here’s Why Customer Experience is an Essential Skill for Event Planners

Have you ever stepped off a bus at an event and felt immediately welcomed—every detail...

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