How to Get a Sponsor for Charity Event

August 14, 2023

The vast majority of UK charities rely on the generosity of other businesses to secure funds and favours for charity events.

It’s simply not viable for many charities to host events without the support of sponsors. The good news is, whether you’re hosting a small or large-scale charity event, there are lots of ways to secure cash or benefits in kind.

Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about how to get a sponsor for your charity event.

WHY DO COMPANIES SPONSOR FUNDRAISING EVENTS?

Companies sponsor events for a whole host of reasons however, in the vast majority of sponsorship cases, you’ll need to offer the company sponsoring you something in return.

From providing access and exposure to a large audience, through to mentioning them in your marketing materials or even naming a trophy or award in their honour, there are lots of ways to incentivise sponsorship.

Many companies will also be happy to sponsor charity events for corporate social responsibility reasons, so this is definitely something to bear in mind when it comes to pitching to potential sponsors.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SPONSORING AN EVENT?

For companies, there are lots of potential advantages associated with sponsoring an event. From boosting your brand and improving internal marketing through to generating new leads and achieving exposure, there are lots of ways that both parties can benefit from sponsorship.

However, it’s important that you find the right sponsor match for your event. In order to do this, you will need to have a sound idea of who your audience is in terms of their demographic, interests and values.

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR SECURING SPONSORSHIP

CREATING YOUR SPONSORSHIP PROPOSAL

Once you have a clear idea of who your audience is and how you’ll connect with them, you’ll need to make a sponsorship proposal. This is a lot like a pitch and should be short, clear and concise, explaining the key facts about your event to support your overall sales pitch.

Your sponsorship proposal should also include your sponsorship ideas. Remember, the more attractive the ideas are, the more inclined a company will be to bid for sponsorship.

There are lots of high impact sponsorship ideas including event branding, event signage, sponsoring promotional items and online branding. Speaking and hosting sessions at your event can also provide great sponsorship opportunities.

RESEARCHING POTENTIAL EVENT SPONSORS

When it comes to finding the right sponsor for your event, research is crucial. Before you send out your sponsorship proposal, you should spend time figuring out the type of sponsors you’d like to attract.

One of the best ways to hunt out potential sponsors is to look at business news, figure out who is doing what and how they are currently communicating with their target markets.

HOW TO APPROACH EVENT SPONSORS

Once you know who you want to approach, it’s time to take the plunge and connect with them. There are lots of ways to do this – from sending an attention-grabbing email or arranging a meeting, through to sending out an event sponsorship package that they can mull over in their own time.

THANK YOUR SPONSOR

Finally, once you’ve secured your sponsor, it’s important to thank them. You can do this in lots of different ways. From thanking them at the event, visiting them in person, or sending a gift and thank you note, you should always ensure that your sponsor feels appreciated and valued.

Of course, social media is also a great way to publicly thank your sponsor for their support and, with the scope to reach mass audiences, shouting about your sponsor on your social media platforms will also boost awareness.

WHY HOST YOUR FUNDRAISING EVENT AT THE BREWERY?

Providing the perfect setting for companies to host a sponsorship event, here at The Brewery we can cater for all of your sponsorship event ideas.

Offering a range of packages to accommodate 30 to 1500 guests, and six distinct rooms with different stories to choose from, you’re sure to create a truly unique event.

To book your sponsorship event with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team is always on hand to answer any of your questions.