Cleveland & Western Reserve Digital Text Collection Project - Suzhen Chen & Richard Wisneski
Sponsorship Models That Work Megan Smith and Allison Wisneski of YNPN Grand Rapids.
Transcript of Sponsorship Models That Work Megan Smith and Allison Wisneski of YNPN Grand Rapids.
Sponsorship
Models That Work
Megan Smith and Allison Wisneski
of YNPN Grand Rapids
True or False:
Sponsorship
funding only
comes from a
sponsor
organization’s
charitable
giving.
What is a sponsor?
• Provides underwriting support for programs and activities.
• Can be for a specific event, or year-round activities.
Sponsorship dollars may also come from
Marketing/Advertising funds, which is a MUCH larger
pot from which to draw.
FALSE!
DEVELOPING A SPONSORSHIP
PROGRAMIdentify the key
programs, events, and assets your chapter has
to offerGet creative! Look for opportunities in all you do.
Programs and events provide an opportunity for visibility and provides a return for sponsors in the form of community good will
Assets include social media, newsletters, emails, ready audience to listen to a short sponsor message at events
For both year-round and event focused sponsorships, look for
low- or no-cost value addsName/logo on website
Slide listing sponsors at the beginning of each event
Recognition of support on social media (Get Pictures!)
Provide free memberships with each level, with option to donate to AmeriCorps members and giveaways at events if they don’t want to use them internally.
Make sponsors a big part of your big annual event. YNPN-GR has highest level sponsors present our Leadership Awards and take photos with winners to post online.
True/False:
Sponsors should get an annual
report.
Maybe not a formal annual report, but please do provide a short annual summary of
what you were able to accomplish with sponsor funding - # programs, # unique
attendees, # of new members, # facebook followers, # hits on sponsor related
posts, etc. This helps the sponsor justify a return donation the next year.
TRUE!
Create sponsor solicitation materials for board members to use, and follow up
A short and quick training session will help everyone get comfortable making an ask. If you have a designated Development Chair, all the better!
Clearly outline the levels of sponsorship with the benefits of each. Make sure we are on the same page with expectations.
Get the checks in the door ASAP with gentle reminders. I often use the carrot of our next upcoming event, “We are really looking forward to working with you this year and we would love to recognize your support at our upcoming event. DO you think you can get us the funds in time to be included?”
True/False: If a sponsor doesn’t connect with your program levels, move on to the next one quickly.
Work with them. If they’ve given you time to learn about YNPN, they are likely willing to
engage in some way, you just have to figure out how. If the set levels aren’t right for a
potential sponsor, try to listen to their needs and design a sponsor package that fits
better. If it still isn’t a fit, ask for in-kind or other ways to support the org. It’s never
really a no.
FALSE!
Renew! Ask sponsors to come back!
Remind them of the good work we accomplished together and the great publicity and good will they got.
Make a renewal ask when they are most engaged and pleased. For YNPN-GR, that is after the Leadership Awards. We ask at the end of the event what each sponsor enjoyed and if they would consider sponsoring again. In our thank you for attending letters, we make sure to ask if they would be willing to secure their sponsorship for next year. Space is limited by the number of awards, so sign up early!
Additional Sponsor Perks
Sponsor Spotlight in monthly newsletter
Sponsor list or logos on table toppers at happy hour “Apps provided by the generous support of our sponsors”
Highlighted job postings on YNPN job board
Promote an event or a special (of the sponsor company) four times a year on social media
Stewardship
End-of-year/event video thank you card from attendees to sponsors
Extend invites to events/Luncheons
Send Thank You cards to sponsors signed by board
Invite sponsors to be presenters or speakers at events
Host sponsor brunch at the end of the year for those who renewed
Other Sponsorship Options
Event Sponsors
Table Tents
Tickets to event
Can bring signs & handouts to event
Speaks at event
Signature Sponsors
Logo bar on everything
Webpage
T-shirts
Emails
Letters
Flyers
In-Kind Sponsors
Printers
Caterers
Property/Event Space Owners
Entertainment
Questions?