Your Step-by-Step Guide to Securing Fundraising Sponsorships

Sponsorships can significantly offset fundraising expenses and provide your organization with much-needed financial support and resources. 

That said, getting a fundraising sponsorship requires a strategic approach.

With the right fundraising sponsorship ideas and a well-thought-out plan, you can attract reliable partners, maximize support, and set your event up for success.

Ready? Follow these five steps to secure fundraising sponsorships today:

1. Set goals 
2. Create an outreach list 
3. Build your proposal 
4. Deliver the pitch 
5. Follow up and maintain the partnership

1. Set goals

The first step in securing sponsorships is defining your goals. In other words, estimate how much you want to raise and the potential costs of the fundraiser.

With those numbers in mind, you can decide what you want from these sponsorships. How much money would you need to support or cover the event expenses? Would you prefer in-kind donations or volunteer help? Outlining your needs will make it easier to craft compelling sponsorship proposals. 

Additionally, consider what you can offer sponsors in return—brand visibility, community goodwill, or promotional opportunities. Aligning your sponsorship goals with potential sponsors' interests increases your chances of securing meaningful partnerships that help you minimize costs and maximize fundraising success. 

2. Create an outreach list 

Once you know what you need from sponsors, create a list of potential companies you could contact. It can help to start with local and regional businesses. 

When finalizing your list, ask yourself:

• Do I or someone in the group have a relative or friend who owns or works for a local restaurant or grocer? 
• What businesses have been successful partners in the past? 
• Are there local businesses that have supported similar causes?
• Which companies align with our mission and values? 
• Do any national brands offer sponsorships or grants that fit our needs?

By asking these questions, you can refine your outreach list and build meaningful partnerships that benefit both your organization and the sponsors. 

3. Build your proposal 

Now that you know who you want to target, how do you create a fundraising sponsorship proposal? Letters and sponsorship packages are the anchors and should be first on your list.

When crafting a proposal—whether you’re starting from scratch or using a template—include the following: 

Personalized introduction 

Explain your group’s mission and the purpose of your fundraiser, including the demographics of your supporters.

For example, sports teams can highlight community engagement and athletic development, while marching bands can emphasize cultural enrichment and youth arts education. For more tailored strategies, check out our tips for acquiring youth sports sponsorships and marching band sponsorships.

Then, shift the focus to the company—highlight how partnering with your organization benefits them.

Show them that you understand their brand and their mission. Then, concisely explain how a sponsorship aligns with their goals and provides value to their business. 

Sponsorship tiers 

Sponsorship tiers outline different levels of company involvement, detailing their contribution and the benefits they receive in return.

Be sure to include these options in your proposal, clearly outlining expectations and benefits for each tier. Providing businesses with flexible sponsorship levels allows them to choose a commitment that aligns with their budget and goals, making it easier for them to support your cause. 

Benefits breakdown 

Reiterate and expand on the benefits their company will receive from sponsoring your group. What incentives can you offer? Marketing and promotion are usually a given, but depending on the tiers, you may be able to do more.

For example, you could provide VIP seating, free admission, or complimentary drinks at your events. You can also highlight the potential tax breaks and positive brand exposure that come with sponsorship. 

4. Deliver the pitch 

Once you’ve finalized a proposal, meet with potential sponsors from your outreach list. Prioritize face-to-face visits, whether in person or online, to build rapport and personalize your pitch.

Here are some key tips to make your pitch meeting successful: 

Dress to impress 

Just like you’d dress professionally for a job interview, your appearance in a sponsorship pitch matters. Dressing appropriately shows respect for the opportunity and reinforces your commitment to the cause. 

Lose the "me, me, me"

When speaking with a sponsor, focus on them and the value they’ll gain from the partnership. While your mission is important, you already know it—your goal is to help businesses see why supporting your fundraiser is a smart investment. Highlight how their involvement aligns with their goals, enhances their brand, and benefits their community.

Embrace the "in"

Leverage any existing connections within your group to strengthen your outreach. If a senior member has a cousin who runs a hair salon, for example, ask them to make an introduction and join the pitch meeting to establish trust and increase the chances of securing a sponsorship. 

5. Follow up and maintain the partnership 

You’ll likely find that these companies won’t give you an answer right away—so what comes next?

After the pitch, thank them for their consideration, provide your contact information, and leave sponsorship materials for them to look over. If you don’t hear back from them within the next week or two, follow up via call or email.

Once you’ve secured your sponsors, focus on maintaining their engagement and strengthening the partnership. Show appreciation by thanking them for their support and highlighting their contribution's impact on your fundraiser and the community.

Additional ways to keep sponsors engaged include:

• Posting on social media—Tag them in relevant social posts to help raise awareness of your relationship.
  
  
• Keeping tabs on their successes—Look out for achievements, successes, or new chapters from sponsors. Reach out to share your congratulations or check in on them.
  
  
• Asking for feedback—When you follow up with sponsors, ask for feedback on the fundraiser to enhance your relationship and encourage them to return.

An alternative, effortless way to earn more funds

While sponsorships are integral to your fundraising strategy, year-round earning is even better. That’s where RaiseRight comes into play. Our passive fundraising platform makes it easy to keep funds coming in all the time, whether you have active sponsorships or not.

Simply enroll your organization in a free RaiseRight program and add participants. Then, go shopping—buy gift cards or shop online across hundreds of familiar brands like Walmart, Starbucks, Petco, or Five Below. Your group will earn up to 20% back for your cause with every purchase! 

It’s that easy—there's no need to sell products, organize events, or pitch local businesses. Your supporters simply shop as usual, and your organization earns money with minimal effort.