Sponsorship Levels

Do you need ways to create more revenue?  Then a lesson in Sponsorship Tiering is what you need.  

Why Sponsorship Tiering?

Why worry about creating multiple events or doing multiple fundraisers when you can do it at one event!  The whole idea of tiering is making various levels of donations for businesses to select from (Bronze, Silver, and Gold).  Tiering offers businesses an opportunity to donate more money for a purpose without feeling they aren't getting anything in return.  

How to do Tiering 

Most people use the typical Bronze, Silver and Gold.  I like to use colors that represent the organization or group you are supporting (e.g. I use Blue and Gold Sponsorship Levels).  In addition, it is important to detail what businesses get out of sponsoring your event at various levels (e.g. advertising, name/banner at event, mentioned in press news release or any promotion, or even presentation of awards/trophies).  Keep it simple otherwise you will have even more work to do and each year people will expect more and more (Not a bad thing either since you will keep the businesses wondering and wanting!). 

These are sample ideas I have used in the past for donations.  You will note the images I have included in this blog are all examples of tiers.  Below the sample ideas, you will see a tier I created for an event I held as well as feedback I had on one tier that I found on the internet:

Dinner and Lunch Events (Recommend Lunch for Businesses - see Starting a Fundraiser or click here for ideas on a holding a Dinner/Luncheon Event)

1.  Businesses receive priority seating  

2.  Businesses receive billing on flyers and handouts/programs at event (Official Sponsor)

3.  Businesses gets recognition at event

4.  Invitation to appear at another FREE event as a Sponsor

5.  Have a Scholarship created in their company name and have them present the award

• Be sure to include cost of attending other event and for the scholarship amount
• Recognition at other event
• Listing in program

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6.  Depending on Business they could be a part of a tracking system 

• Custom Discount Card (see Custom Card Blog)
• Couponing (Whenever someone prints out an advertisement for redemption)
• QR Codes

7.  Businesses get FREE advertising on website of organization for a limited time or promotion with local media (named in interviews or in press release)

Golf Tournaments (see Golf Tournaments for ideas on running a tournament)

1.  Official Sponsor of the Event

• Signage throughout event except at sponsored holes
• Any holes not sponsored are automatically given to higher tiered donations 

2.  Hole Sponsorship 

• Company Banner or Poster board with company name
• Hole is named the Company name here Hole or whatever you come up with
• Be creative or allow the company to select the name of the hole for participation

3.  Banquet Sponsorship

•  Not the entire event.  Just the luncheon after the tournament

4.  Donations for Event

• I just went to an event where the prizes where named after the donator (even though the prize was not specifically from their company but rather something the company purchased for the event - e.g. Airline Tickets from the Mayor called Mayor ____________ Prize - which includes Round Trip Airfare for 2)

Ideas for Different Sponsorship Tiers

Here is an example I found on the internet that is perfect for someone needing a  sponsor for shirts.  Only drawback to this would be the fact that you would get into Nascar Syndrome (Logos all over the place).  Not a bad idea unless everyone wants the prime spot location which I guarantee may happen after awhile if you are successful at holding your events, which you will be.

What I would recommend would be changing the placements of the Larger Logo so that businesses can choose where their logo is.  Another option would be letting businesses know there are limited placements at each location.  For those wanting to donate more money with no location available, remember that you are holding the event somewhere!  Make a sign, carry a banner, make flyers with their names on top.....the idea is figure out a way to cater to their needs in order to please everyone.       

My Event

At my event I held a luncheon banquet in the middle of the week.  This was an intentional aspect as businesses always need to eat lunch (read my post on Starting a Fundraiser if you haven't already) and are always eager to get away for a couple hours.

For the event we had three tiers:

1) $500 - Purchase of table at event

• Table price was calculated to make some profit
• Pay for 2 students to sit at their table; businesses received 8 seats for their employees
• Primary goal for this table was to get new businesses to attend and allow students to talk about our program and enlist their support for future events
• Students were also given the opportunity to network and potentially gain professional contacts

2)$1000 - Purchase of Table and Scholarship Donation

• Everything in the $500 table
• Created a $400 Scholarship for one student
• Two tickets to our Annual Graduation Ceremony for my Program
• Guests would come on stage to present the award
• Created buy-in to continue support and donations to students 

3) $1500 - Purchase of Table, Scholarship Donation, and Monetary Donation to Program

• Everything included above
• Proceeds go to fund a specific project of choice
• In my case it went to a Leadership, Communication, and Teamwork Camp for my students - this was mentioned in my letter (see Donation Letter)
• A Picture and Thank You Letter was sent after the event

As you can see, I am always looking for the "hook" to keep them coming back or letting them know how they can help my program in the future. 

Got an idea to add to the list?  Need some ideas or suggestions?  Then hit us up in the comment list!  Thank you and as always good luck fundraising!

~ isle411 @ fundraiser411