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RE: Tips for gaining sponsorship?

Helen Editor — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:46:37 GMT

Hi SamWell done with getting your project off the ground!Getting sponsorship can be a really hard slog, but you have to prove to the people that you are speaking to, that you are offering value for money. So if you can expose the potential sponsor to a target audience, that would be worth £x to them. That is how big sponsorship deals are valued. It may be better to break down the sum into little bits, to get small ads on a web site, or adverts on event literature etcThe other thing worth investigating, is whether there are companies, local and national, that would help sponsor a community-based project. A lot of the corporates have funds where they help projects such as these. Also locally, there can be wierd and wonderful trust funds which give small grants. When I lived in Berkshire, there was a 'Fuel Allotment Trust' which was set up originally to give fire wood to the poor. However, they gradually broadened their remit, and would give money towards local projects - maybe a local councillor would know about funds like that.Also, a lot of companies will sponsor with goods, but not money (Microsoft for example). So if you need a new computer for the office or software or another product, a company might be more prepared to 'sponsor' you that way (there is a tax liability on gifts in kind)Good luck - please let us know how you get on.

RE: Tips for gaining sponsorship?

nicolaca — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:25:05 GMT

That was me! You can email me at nicola@allwords.co.uk

RE: Tips for gaining sponsorship?

Sam — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:17:51 GMT

Many thanks for the advice Claire!Also, to the person who PM'd me about this - I can't seem to reply to you as the username given doesn't seem to be recognised - sorry.

RE: Tips for gaining sponsorship?

Claire Burdett — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:51:35 GMT

The best advice I can give is to find a company who has already sponsored something similar to what you want them to do.

I know that sounds strange, but in the corporate world, it is very much a case of follow my leader, with it being much easier to claim a piece of the action if it's a proven business - or sponsorship - model than if it's a new [for which read risky] venture.

An individual may be much more open to the idea of sponsoring you for the amounts you have in mind - ask your contacts about their contacts, it might be that they can put you in touch with an appropriate person.

And local - well, here it particularly needs to resonate with the company in question, so if you can prove you have a lot of local traffic and contacts, that it will prove a bonus for their company and increase their exposure/profit, then you could be on to a winner. The key here is to find someone who has the same values and outlook as you and your company.

I refer you to my [url=http://funkyangel.co.uk/Work/Funky+Agency/Marketing]article[/url] on knowing your market for some 'defogging' on what is involved!

Claire

Tips for gaining sponsorship?

Sam — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:18:37 GMT

Hi - I am in the early stages of a community-based business venture and short term any money we generate will simply go back into the business to pay our expenses. To that end we are looking for a small amount of sponsorship (just £400) to help with some of our fixed costs. Do you have any suggestions for types of companies that may be open to the suggestion of sponsorship or ways I could persuade them - i.e. make them an offer they can't refuse?! ;) At the moment I just feel like I'm begging! Many thanks, Sam