A key difference between cause marketing and a charitable contribution is

there is essentially no difference between a charitable contribution and cause marketing.

there is no limit to the amount of charitable deductions a firm can make, but a firm is limited to the number of cause marketing it can make during a fiscal year.

cause marketing is generally linked to public causes and concerns while charitable contributions are generally given to private institutions.

charitable donations are contributed at the sole discretion of the firm; cause marketing is the amount directly affected by consume purchases.