Elements of a Request for Sponsorship

Investigate the appropriate time to send your proposal. The more lead time the better!

Remember to follow sponsorship guidelines provided by a potential sponsor.
Introduce your organization and provide background information.
Do not assume the sponsor knows who you are or what you do.
Be creative.
Address the following points in your proposal: Overview of organization; benefits your organization can offer the sponsor; credentials and key personnel; a list of current and past sponsors; outline of what you are prepared to offer the sponsor; extent of any media coverage; a realistic estimate of the number of people who participate; the current level of community support and awareness for the project.

Determine what is "marketable."
List every benefit you can offer the sponsor.
Value the sponsorship on merit, rather than what you would like to recieve.
Ensure everyone knows the name and business activities of the sponsor.
Take every opportunity to publicly thank and acknowledge the involvement of the sponsor.
Display the sponsor's logo whenever required by your agreement.
Honor the agreement.
Maintain signs and other materials that mention the sponsor.

Be aware that the sponsorship market is competitive.
Monitor your sponsor's business and ensure your activities are relevant to the sponsor.
Demonstrate you understand the sponsor's business.
Find out which of your current activities are most valuable to your sponsor.
Make sure everyone involved wants to continue with the sponsor.
Evaluate your activities. If you can offer the sponsor increased benefits, ask for a higher level of sponsorship.