how to write a application letter for soccer sponsorship

7 Sports Sponsorship Letter Examples (+Templates)

What is a sponsorship letter?

Best sponsorship letter examples (+ templates), 1. sports sponsorship letter.

• Purchasing equipment and jerseys
• Field and facility maintenance
• Helping to keep sports affordable for families and providing opportunities to low-income families
• Paying our local referees and officials (typically high school students getting their first work opportunity)
• Funding a $5,000 annual college scholarship for one graduating senior per year that played with during their childhood
• Field signage at [your facility]
• Recognition in our monthly email newsletter
• Ad space in our promotional materials
• Logo and website link recognition on [insert website URL]  
• Tax deductions

2. Event sponsorship letter

3. Sponsorship letter for auction items/in-kind donations

4. Sponsorship letter for acknowledgment

5. Sponsorship letter for requesting volunteers

6. Food donation sponsorship letter

7. Follow up letter

Tips for writing your sponsorship proposal 

Personalize the sponsor letter, keep it concise, highlight the benefits.

Why send a sponsorship request letter? 

Get the funding you need today .

Home » Letters » Request Letters » Sponsorship Request Letter for Soccer Team – Sample Letter of Requesting for Sponsoring for Soccer Team

Sponsorship Request Letter for Soccer Team – Sample Letter of Requesting for Sponsoring for Soccer Team

To, __________ __________ (Mention recipient’s details)

Date: __/__/____ (date)

Subject: Sponsorship request

Respected Sir/Madam,

My name is _________ (name) and I write this letter on behalf of ___________ (mention name of your soccer team). I would like to inform you that our team just qualified the ______________ (mention – district/ national level/ any other). And also, we are looking forward to playing for __________ (mention tournament name). But unfortunately, we are lacking funding for the ___________ (jersey/ equipment/ any other). Therefore, with high expectations, I write this letter to you in order to seek funding from you in the form of sponsorship.

I believe you would consider this letter a genuine request. In case, you find yourself interested in sponsoring our soccer team you may contact us at ____________ (mention your contact number).

Thanking you, Regards, ___________ (Name), ___________ (Address), ___________ (Contact number)

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The Best Way to Write A Sports Sponsorship Proposal Letter

Gaining a sponsorship can be key to the success of your sports club – both financially and competitively. Often, organizations’ budgets fall short of covering any extra items, like upgraded equipment and travel to long-distance tournaments. While these might not be part of the core budget, being able to afford these items can benefit the team and the individual players. 

To make up the financial difference between what’s available in the budget and what’s needed, clubs can pursue sponsorships. These partnerships can take many forms, from making a general contribution to the organization to giving money to a specific need, like equipment. 

While finding and securing a sponsor for the club is a process, one key element is the proposal letter. Get tips on how your club can write a winning sponsorship proposal letter.

Use Club Letterhead

Proposals can take many forms, whether it’s a letter and one-sheet outlining sponsorship opportunities, or a brief letter and a larger proposal packet . 

No matter what proposal format the organization opts for, the letter should have a professional look and tone. It should be composed of the club’s letterhead and should include the organization’s logo. 

Proposal letters typically include a formal header, complete with the name and address of the company the proposal is being sent to, and the date.

The letter should also be addressed to the person who is directly responsible for sponsorships. You want to avoid sending the letter to a generic “to whom it may concern,” as it might not get to the correct person.

Introduce Your Organization

The proposal letter needs to include an introduction to your organization. This should include basic information including the sport, age ranges, and levels of the athletes, as well as the club’s mission. 

This section also needs to include why the organization is seeking a sponsor and what the money will be used for. This is the club’s chance to detail why it is looking for contributions. Explain how the sponsorship money will benefit the team to convey the importance of obtaining the funds.

Explain How Partnering with the Club Can Benefit the Sponsor

The most attractive sponsorships are ones that not only benefit the organization but also include advantages for the sponsor. Because of this, the proposal letter should explain to potential sponsors how partnering with the club can be beneficial for them as well. This section can include how working with the organization can help improve its customer base, build customer loyalty, increase its community involvement, and other advantages. The organization should also detail its marketing efforts to show the size of the club’s reach and audience. This can include the club’s social media accounts, print campaigns, and any digital marketing efforts like newsletters, blogs, and websites. 

Include a Conclusion

The proposal letter should include a brief conclusion. This section can thank the potential sponsor for their time and include information to address the next steps if the company is interested in pursuing a sponsorship.

The letter should also be personally signed by a club administrator. Having a signature on the letter in addition to a typed name will help personalize the proposal.

Include Sponsorship Levels

When sending a proposal, companies what to know how large of a donation clubs are looking for, and what that sponsorship includes. To convey this, organizations should include sponsorship packages of various levels in their proposal. This can be a separate sheet in addition to the proposal letter or be included as part of the proposal packet. 

No matter the format, organizations should mention the sponsorship sheet in the proposal letter. It can be as simple as a line that states “Please see the attached sponsorship level sheet,” to draw their attention to the insert.

This sheet should include the different sponsorship levels, the minimum donation amount for each tier, and what is included in the package. When creating the packages, the club should determine how much money it is trying to raise to ensure the value of each package aligns with the overall goal. The organization should also determine all available sponsorship opportunities to create robust and attractive packages.

Some examples might include:

Platinum: $5,000

• Logo on club jerseys
• 5 social media posts throughout the season acknowledging the company
• Booth at organization’s tryouts
• Booth at club’s hosted tournament
• Logo with link to company’s website on the club website
• Logo on all digital content, including newsletters, rosters, schedule, and stat sheets
• Logo on club programs
• Logo on club banner

Gold: $1,000

Silver: $500

Bronze: $100

Creating a winning sponsorship package and proposal letter can take time, but they are necessary to secure additional funds for your organization. Submitting a professional and organized proposal letter to potential sponsors is the first step to finding a new partner for your club.

Download a free sponsorship packet template and checklist >

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Write a Sponsorship Request Letter That Works (Free Templates)

Table of contents, what is a sponsorship request letter, sponsorship request - formal letter template, event sponsorship letter - email template, elements of an effective sponsorship request letter, 5 steps for writing an effective sponsorship letter, tips for writing sponsorship requests that get a “yes”, the right sponsorship letter templates are just the beginning, maximize your marketing roi.

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Need more sponsors for your next event? It’s time to show them exactly what they’ll get in return.

As the competition for event sponsorship heats up, your sponsorship requests must be specific, need-meeting, and tailored to each potential sponsor on your list. 

But with a million other tasks to juggle in the days leading up to your event, that’s easier said than done.

In this article, we’ll share the latest best practices to help you secure more event sponsorships, plus a done-for-you sponsorship request sample letter and email template to help you seal the deal.

A sponsorship request letter is a formal proposal that individuals or organizations create to ask for financial support or in-kind sponsorship for their events. It outlines the benefits, exposure, and recognition potential sponsors can expect in return for their support. It may also include details on available sponsorship tiers, packages, and other incentives.

[Just want the templates? Download now and start customizing. ]

[Your Name] [Your Position] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Date] [Sponsor’s Name] [Sponsor’s Position] [Sponsor’s Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Introduction Dear [Potential Sponsor’s Name],

My name is [Your Name] and as the [Your Position] at [Your Organization’s Name], I am a big believer in your work [reference specific projects or initiatives the recipient is responsible for].

Description

As you may know, our annual [Event Name] brings together over [number and type of attendees/attendee job titles] to tackle all the latest [challenges, best practices, emerging opportunities, or other key focus areas of your event theme].

There’s a reason companies like [Sponsor Name] and [Sponsor Name] call it the [sponsor testimonial referring to the “can’t miss” nature of the event]. Sponsors at [Event Name] regularly see [add insights into ROI or other key outcomes for sponsors, such as revenue generated, contacts made, etc.].

To maintain our incredible momentum this year, we're seeking the support of businesses that share our passion for [reiterate the purpose of the event] and we believe [Sponsor’s Company Name] would be an excellent fit.

Tiers and packages

We offer several networking and promotional opportunities in return for your support. In addition to displaying your logo and company details in our [event brochures, banners, website, etc.], you will also receive [other benefits such as speaking opportunities, complimentary tickets, VIP networking events, etc.] tailored to your unique business needs.

[list sponsorship tiers and packages]

Of course, not all businesses are the same. You may have specific sponsorship needs or ideas and I’d be more than happy to discuss them with you.

In the coming weeks, my team will reach out to you directly to discuss your company goals and brainstorm custom packages to help you meet them. In the meantime, please feel free to email me at [Email Address] or contact me by phone at [Your Phone Number] to discuss further.

We appreciate your consideration and look forward to working together on making [Event Name] a success.

Sincerely,[Your Name]

Subject: Join brands like [Sponsor Name] at [Sponsor Name] at [Event Name]!

Hello [Potential Sponsor’s Name],

Hope you’re having a great week! My name is [Your Name] and as the [Your Position] at [Your Organization’s Name], I am a longtime fan of work to [reference specific projects or initiatives the recipient is responsible for].

As you might already know, the [Event Name] is the “[sponsor testimonial referring to the “can’t miss” nature of the event]” event for brands like [Sponsor Name], [Sponsor Name], and more.

This year, we’re doing it even bigger and better with exclusive [sessions, masterclasses, or other networking opportunities] focused on [briefly describe the purpose and goals of the event].

Obviously, we think [Company Name] would be a great fit. Your support as a sponsor for [Event Name] would mean increased brand visibility, networking opportunities, and a chance to show your commitment to [event goal or mission] to more than [number and type of attendees/attendee job titles].

By sponsoring [Event Name], [Company Name] could gain access to:

• Visibility in all promotional materials and signage
• Recognition in partner and media coverage
• Access to attendees and networking
• Live shout out during the event
• [add any additional benefits included in your sponsorship packages]

We have sponsorship opportunities to fit a variety of budgets and goals. I've attached a detailed packet with more info and would love to set up a quick phone call to chat more about what might work best for you.

When is a good time to connect?

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Organization]

Whether you’re sending your sponsorship letter by post, email, or carrier pigeon, there are a few key elements you’ll want to be sure to include.

Here’s a quick list of everything that goes into an effective sponsorship letter:

• Header and contact information
• Personalized greeting
• Mission-aligned description
• Strong social proof
• Perks and incentives
• Available tiers and packages
• Compelling call-to-action
• Strong closing

Of course, the types of sponsorship letters you send will also depend on the demographics or your audience and the nature of your upcoming event.

For example, if you’re a nonprofit organization making a donation request, your formal fundraising letter will look pretty different from that of a sports team doing outreach for secure corporate sponsorships or a fundraising event featuring a variety of rare auction items.

Whatever the scenario, the ideal sponsorship proposal will quickly communicate what’s in it for your recipient, highlight the key ROI drivers, and inspire complete confidence in your events.

When reaching out to potential corporate sponsors, the primary goal is to make sure the value of your event is crystal clear.

Make sure that every touchpoint in your outreach strategy makes it clear that the event will be well-planned, well-run and well-executed. Potential sponsors should have zero doubt that your event is worth linking their name to.

Ready to draft a corporate sponsorship letter that gets the yes? Let’s break it down, step by step.

1. Start strong

Always start your sponsorship request letter with a personalized greeting that gets your prospective sponsor excited about your event.

Here are a few simple rules to follow:

• Address each potential sponsor by name
• Add details from their LinkedIn profile, social media, or company announcements
• Highlight the event’s mission or “big why” reason for being
• Share a few words on the impact your event has had on your community

The goal is to keep your event description concise and mission-aligned.

It should be clear that your letter has been tailor-made for each potential sponsor, with a clear and unmistakable synergy between their organization’s values and your own.

Remember, a great sponsor is a valued partner—not just another name on a list.

Paint a picture of how their sponsorship will fuel your mission, including the tangible difference they can make for your shared community.

2. Sprinkle in some social proof

Have you hosted successful events in the past? If the answer is yes, save yourself the extra word count and let your existing sponsors do the talking.

You can use past sponsor testimonials to kick off your intro and add credibility to your packages, or even share a longer past sponsor success story to help your recipient visualize the benefits for themself.

No matter how you approach it in your letter, real social proof from real sponsors is always going to be more persuasive than endless paragraphs about all the logo exposure in your promotional materials.

Here are some key ways to add more credibility to your sponsorship request:

• Highlight past success stories : Name drop highly recognizable past sponsors and share examples of times you exceeded sponsor expectations at past events. Include metrics and facts like the number of attendees, social media reach, deals or contacts made, etc., to demonstrate the real-world impact and success of the event.
• Add past sponsor testimonials : Nothing carries more weight than happy sponsors singing your praises. Sprinkle in any glowing testimonials or statements from previous sponsors for an instant boost in credibility.
• Share links to recent press coverage : Include links to any press releases or articles that have covered your events. Address the recognition you received, highlight what’s unique about your event, and cement your case as a trusted event organizer.
• Nod to any awards and recognitions : If your events or company has been honored with awards or special recognition, now’s the time to shout about it.

Remember, your sponsorship request letter is not the place to be humble.

You and your event team have worked hard for your accomplishments. Now is the time to lay it all out on the table so potential sponsors can see that their money will be well spent.

3. Stress the benefits

Depending on the type and format of your event, your sponsors may be financial, meaning they put money towards the event in exchange for certain benefits. Or, they may be providing what’s known as in-kind donations, where they provide products or services for free in exchange for certain benefits.

No matter what kind of sponsors you’re looking for, the answer to the age-old marketing question, “What’s in it for me?” must be clear and irresistible.

Here are some ways to help make sure your potential sponsor understands the tangible benefits they’ll get from your event:

• Share all the ways in which the sponsor will be promoted at the event
• Put actual numbers to the reach and visibility they’ll receive
• Include perks and incentives beyond brand exposure, such as attendee lists, engagement data, and more

By going above and beyond the standard event sponsorship offering to include not only branding opportunities , but also dedicated sponsor booths and data packs including the full registration list and attendee engagement information, you can set your sponsors up to capture more ROI from your event.

This is especially beneficial for digital business events, where sponsors are looking for more opportunities to grow the connections made.

“The analytics part of the events right after it makes it really fast for us to contact the sponsors with this is who attended, who didn't attend, attendance rate, the questions asked, and what people clicked on,” said Eduardo Duarte Ruas , Marketing Manager at Modern Sales Pro. “Goldcast makes it really easy for us to collect the data and create a follow-up to the event that is very seamless and very fast.”

Eduardo and the team at Modern Sales Pro run 176 webinars with 25 sponsors per year. And they go far beyond the cookie-cutter sponsorship package with each and every one.

In addition to deep attendee data packs, he also puts together a “year end wrapped” style email for each sponsor with all the event data, plus eye-catching video snippets pulled from the event .

4. List the available sponsorship levels

Gold, Silver, Bronze. Tiers one, two and three. Potential sponsors have seen it all before.

Challenge yourself to think of new ways to name your sponsorship packages to stand out in a sea of other sponsorship requests.

Here are a few tips to communicate your packages effectively:

• Be specific about what’s included in each tier , sponsorship level, or package
• Share details on how payment is made
• Highlight the packages that offer the most valuable opportunities, such as dedicated booths or VIP networking opportunities

Last but not least, don’t make vague requests.

While it’s always great to leave the door open for conversations around custom sponsorship packages, you also need to make sure potential sponsors are empowered to make a decision right there and then via a clear CTA.

5. Finish strong

Wrap it all up with a heartfelt thank you .

At the end of the day, your recipient has taken the time to consider your request for sponsorship—that’s no small thing.

Express gratitude and remind them of the next steps you want them to take:

• Sign off while thanking the recipient for their future support
• Remind them of your shared values to help deepen their commitment to your cause
• Use a compelling call-to-action that lets them know exactly what to do when they finish reading your letter
• Include your contact information and an open invitation to connect and discuss how they can become an active part of your event.

Once you’ve inspired them to get involved, make it easy by providing a clear path forward.

[Goldcast makes it easy for event organizers to manage tiered sponsor booths, including custom logo placement, branding and video. Learn more with a free trial! ]

Once you’re done drafting your sponsorship letter, it’s time to pull out the fine-toothed comb and get ready to proofread.

Here are a few best practices to make sure you’ve nailed it.

1. Research your potential sponsor

Dive into the company's background to understand their target audience and industry positioning so you can establish key points of connection between their business and your event.

2. Align your event with their goals

How can your event advance your prospective sponsor’s goals? Identify the mutual benefits and present a clear answer to the perennial question: “What’s in it for me?”

3. Use a personalized approach

Your letter should never sound generic. Address the recipient by name, reference their specific projects or initiatives, and share a compelling and authentic reason for why their company would be a perfect fit for your event.

4. Be clear and concise

Keep your sponsorship letter easy to read and digest. Use concise language, break up the text with bullet points or small paragraphs, and ensure your each benefit is clearly communicated.

5. Follow-up

You’ve heard it before: the money is in the follow-up. While your initial letter is important, following up can be just as impactful. Be respectful but persistent in maintaining contact, pointing to the clear benefits of what’s in it for them with every touch. This goes for after your event, too. Sending a simple thank you letter to sponsors after the event can be a great way to encourage repeat sponsorship year after year.

It might sound counterintuitive, but a great sponsorship request letter does a whole lot more than ask for money. It gives potential event sponsors a clear understanding of your event—including its purpose, audience, and of course, the biggest benefits for them.

When you’re ready to offer a sponsor experience you can be proud of, Goldcast can help.

Goldcast’s digital event platform makes it easy to offer all the features sponsors want to see at a digital or hybrid event, including next-level branding, one-on-one networking opportunities, and dedicated booths.

After your event, use Goldcast’s Content Lab to generate high-impact videos to fuel your post-event coverage and win more sponsors for your next event.

Stay In Touch

© 2024 Copyright Goldcast, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Aug 07, 2023 • 3 min read

The Perfect Sports Sponsorship Letter For Teams

• TeamSnap For Business

You’re ready to start raising sponsorship dollars for your youth sports team. Now what?

Here is the perfect sports sponsorship letter sample for teams. A clear and concise sponsor letter can help you gain funding to subsidize the costs for travel, equipment, and registration fees.

[Your Name]

[Your role with the Team]

[Your Phone]

[Your email]

Dear [First Name of Contact Person at the Business] ,

Every year, we invite local businesses to sponsor our team. After thinking of businesses in the community that we want to be affiliated with, we naturally thought of [Business name] because [reason you want them as your sponsor] .

Sponsoring our team is not only a great way to get involved with the community; it’s also an amazing form of marketing for your business. Our team has [Number of players on your team] , and we will play against [Number of teams you play this year] this year. That means your business will have branding in front of hundreds of people and generate [Number of players on your team multiplied by number of teams you play] impressions in the [Your city] area. With that type of exposure, everyone will remember that [Business name] supported us.

This year, we are asking for [$500] in exchange for the following:

• Your logo on [Type of equipment or apparel]
• An invitation to attend one of our games
• Email blasts to our families thanking you for your sponsorship
• Social media posts about your business
• A picture of our team to hang in your office
• A handwritten thank you card at the end of the season

Unfortunately, [name of sport] is expensive and not all of the families on our team can afford the cost. We ask for sponsorship to help subsidize the cost of new equipment/apparel, scholarships for players who can’t afford to play, and travel expenses.

We understand that you have several choices when considering different marketing and community outreach opportunities, but we truly believe that this is a great fit. If you want something a little more customized in return for your sponsorship, we are very open to your ideas.

I know that [Business name] does a great job of improving the community, and we thank you for your continued support. You are making [Your city] a better place to live.

If you have any questions, please contact me directly at [Your phone number] or [Your email] .

[Your Signature]

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Sample Sponsorship Letter

Need a new team sponsor? Use the sample sponsorship letter below as a template for your own sponsorship request.

Successful sports fundraising often involves writing a lot of fundraising letters to a lot of different companies. You can however give your sponsorship request a much better chance by using the sample sponsorship letter below and following a few simple guidelines:

• 1. Pick a company that has some relevance to your team - This might be by what they sell (ie sports equipment), who they know (ie business or family contacts) or where they are (ie the garage next door to the sports field).
• 2. Do your research - Find out about them. What do they do? How do they market themselves? Who are the key personnel and managing director or other decision makers?
• 3. Use your contacts - If you can, approach a company where someone can prepare the ground for you. Nothing beats a personal contact in getting your foot in the door!
• 4. Know your stuff - Be friendly but professional and business like. Know exactly what you are asking for and what it will mean to you and the potential sponsor. Be specific and know what sum you plan to ask for. You may like to have a fall back position or a range of lesser options but one simple request is usually best.
• 5. Overdeliver your side of the bargain - Getting the sponsorship is not the end of the deal. Your job now is to continue to help the sponsor feel involved, respected and informed of progress. At the very least a monthly update on team progress.
• 6. A picture tells a thousand words - Take pictures at every opportunity and send them to your sponsor. What better way to show them what they are getting for their money. Encourage them to use them in their company marketing. Make your team a real part of the sponsor's business.

Below is a sample sponsorship letter for a little league soccer team. Use it as a template for your own sponsorship request.

If you have headed paper please use it.

Along with your letter you may like to include additional info as appropriate. Always try to include a selection of photographs too. They help your prospect picture their logo on the shirt of your star striker and, psychologically, there is something about photographs that prevents the contents of a letter being simply dismissed and tossed into the recycling!

Royston Alimantado Alimantado Motors Greenfield Road Loverton PO19 OAH

Re Sponsorship Opportunity Maia Lane Rovers

Dear Mr Alimantado

My name is Ruby Charles and I am the Chair of Maia Lane Rovers FC. The Rovers are a very popular Little League soccer club for under 14 year olds based at The Maia Lane Community Centre, Loverton.

The club has been running for nearly five years now and in that time we have had over 700 different young people use our training facilities, come along to our training sessions or play for one of our 3 league teams. You may also be aware of our popular soccer skills schools which we run at 4 different locations throughout Loverton during the school holidays. The club also has very strong links to its local community and to Maia Lane High School.

We are very proud of our achievements and the hard work of a lot of people connected with the club has also led to on-field success. Our under 12's were County Cup Winners last season whilst 2 senior players were recently selected to play for the county side.

There are however many expenses connected with running the club and we rely for funding soley on our own fundraising events and the support of local businesses.

I understand that one of our parents -Pete Loveday, who I believe, is a business acquaintance, has spoken to you about our search for a new sponsor for the coming season. If it were possible we would very much welcome the opportunity to speak to you about this. Alimantado Motors is a major presence in the town and we feel a partnership would work very well.

The major expense for the club is paying our share of the upkeep costs of the community centre and football pitches. We were hoping that this might be something you would consider helping us with.

In return for your sponsorship we would of course be willing to wear the Alimantado logo on our club shirts and for you to be listed as our key sponsor on all our club literature and monthly newsletter. As you are probably aware our teams are featured regularly on the sports pages of the local papers and our cup winning Under 12's were subject of a front page special last season. Our matches are also well attended by local parents and an increasing number of spectators from the local community.

There may also be the opportunity for other promotions- last year one side in the county league, sponsored by a local service station, organised a very successful charity car wash at the garage which attracted a lot of publicity.

We do hope that this is something you might be willing to consider. We can provide you with further details and a full break down of the likely costs of any deal and I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about this. I will contact you next week to see if you would like to take things further.

Thank you for giving this your consideration. Best Regards

Ruby Charles Maia Lane Rovers

The sample sponsorship letter above is a great starting point for your own sponsorship request. Use it as a template or for inspiration. Always get someone else to read your own letter before you send it to check it makes sense and for typos.

You are welcome to send us your own sample sponsorship letter. If you have a good idea or letter template that has worked for you please share it with us and if appropriate we will add it to the site.

Submit your sponsorship letter or idea here

To leave Sample Sponsorship Letter and return to The Better Fundraising Ideas Home Page please click here

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How to Write a Letter Requesting Sponsorship

Last Updated: February 21, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ernest Sturm . Ernest Sturm is a Marketing Expert and the Owner of Runway Influence and Runway Waiters, as well as the President of Runway Collective. With over 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur, he specializes in producing social media campaigns and social brand activations. Runway Influence has a 5-star rating and partners with luxury brands and top influencers. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 6,609,637 times.

If you're hoping to get someone to sponsor your event or something else you're doing, you should write a sponsorship letter. Your letter must convince the sponsor that it's worth contributing and clearly outline the benefits the sponsor gets, presenting an executive summary that details your event or mission. Writing a proper sponsorship letter can make all of the difference between securing the sponsorship or being ignored.

Things You Should Know

• Research the exact kind of sponsorship you're seeking. Reflect on what skills and experience you can offer a business.
• Write your letter in formal business format. Read through sample sponsorship letters to get an idea of the gold standard.
• Be sure to include details on what the business can earn from offering you sponsorship and proofread before you wrap things up.
• Your pitch should always be tailored to the specific sponsor you're meeting, depending on their size and probable budget.

Preparing to ask for Sponsorship

• Sponsorship letters should be specific and focused. If they are too vague or you don't know what you're seeking or why, they won't be very effective.
• Understand why you want to meet the goals. Sponsorship requests are more successful if they are accompanied with a sense of purpose or passion. Convince people why it's worth giving time or money to this cause, perhaps by telling them a story about how the cause has helped someone or the community

• Make sure to include businesses or people on the list with whom you or others who work with you have a personal connection. Never underestimate the value of personal connections. [1] X Research source
• Don't overlook small businesses or those that don't have storefronts. They might be willing to give, too. Remember that you can play up the "local" angle. Hometown businesses often see an advantage in remaining connected to their communities.
• If you are working on a team, divvy up the businesses on the list and give each team member the task of contacting some of them, so each gets personal outreach.

• Cash or in-kind donations are both possibilities. In-kind donations mean the business donates materials or products that can be used at the event instead of just giving money. Sometimes these take the form of services not tangible goods.
• Perhaps you are willing to take volunteer work instead of a product. Either way, you need to be very clear in what you're seeking - specifically.

• Decide sponsorship levels. You should clearly outline the different benefits achieved by different levels of sponsorship. People who give more should get more.
• An advertising banner, a public announcement about the company or sponsorship, and the company's logo appearing on a website or in promotional materials or programs are all examples of benefits you could offer.

• Often, the proper person will be the person who runs the company's Human Resources Department or its CEO. You should call the company or look on its website and determine who handles sponsorships. Don't guess at this. To be effective, the sponsorship letter absolutely must be addressed to the right person. Get the spelling of their name and their title right.
• You should also figure out if the organization has a charitable giving policy so you don't waste your time and can align your request with the policy. [2] X Research source

Understanding the format

• Don't copy a sample letter too closely, though. You need to tailor your letter to the organization you're writing to so it sounds personal and not too formulaic. [3] X Research source
• For example, if you know a CEO has a personal background that relates to your cause, you can personalize the letter to that person. You should know the background of the people or companies you're soliciting, and you should tailor the letters so they feel personal.

• Put the letter on formal letterhead that has the logo and name of your organization. This will make your request look more professional. If you're asking for a sponsorship for yourself, you could still create professional letterhead that has your name at the top in a nice font.
• If you're writing to a business or other organization, more formal is best. If you're writing to a family member or friend, you could be less formal, but you still shouldn't be so casual you sound disrespectful. Whipping off an informal email is unlikely to get good results in either case.

• Start the letter with the date, and then the sponsor's name and address.
• Then, after a space, put the salutation: Dear (Name of the person) and a comma.
• Keep it short. Keep the sponsorship letter on one page. People are unlikely to have time to read more. Most people being solicited will give about a minute to your sponsorship letter. So in addition to keeping it on one page, make sure the language is concise and clear. [4] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
• Send it snail mail. Email requests make it seem like you didn't take much care when sending it.

• End with a respectful, professional salutation, such as: Respectfully, and then your name and title. Sign it personally.
• Include other materials. You might want to provide a printed flyer with your sponsorship letter to provide background on your event or company. This will provide additional credibility and may make the business feel more comfortable in supporting you.
• Similarly, if your organization has received news coverage, you could include a sample news article to back up what you've done.

Perfecting the Content

• Don't assume people know who you are or what your organization does. Explain those things, clearly. Begin with a description of the company (if it's a corporate letter) or yourself (if it's for personal sponsorship). For example, such-and-such firm is a nonprofit organization committed to rehabilitation... etc.
• Highlighting a few accomplishments right away will make it clear why it's not a risk to give you sponsorship. Make it very clear how the money will be specifically used.
• In the second paragraph or first, you need to make the direct request for sponsorship and explain why you are seeking it.

• If the sponsors will get good publicity out of the sponsorship, for example, explain how. Be very specific: Will the event be televised? How many people will be attending? Will there be VIPS? If other prominent companies or their competitors are sponsoring your event, you might want to mention that.
• Give the sponsors options. They will like the fact they have different choices to match their individual needs or budgets.

• Also don't forget to thread in an element of emotional appeal - a personal story of someone who will be helped, for example, if said briefly (in a sentence or two) can be very moving.
• Explain how you will give the sponsors recognition for their sponsorship. Perhaps they can have free booth space at your event in exchange for sponsorship.
• Provide the essential details of the sponsorship deal that they will need to make their decision. Don't forget to include contact information. You might want to also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easier for them to respond. Don't forget to include the date you need a response by.
• Ask the sponsors how they prefer to be recognized. For example, how do they want their name to appear and do they want to be recognized? Offer possibilities but never assume. Ask.

• For example, if you're writing a letter for a charity, you should explain the background of the charity, such as when it was founded, who runs it, who it serves, and any awards or accomplishments it's received.
• Show don't tell. Don't just tell us the group or event are good or worthy. Convince us through showing details – evidence that backs up why or how the event or group are good or worthy. Evidence is more persuasive than superlatives, generally.

• You could call or stop by if you don't get a response in 10 days. Remember though that many CEOS especially will be very busy and could be annoyed. So you might want to schedule an appointment or call first.
• Make sure that you convey excitement about your project. Avoid anything negative. You don't want to sound like you're begging or trying to put a guilt trip on them about donating..
• If the answer is “maybe,” don't feel bad about following up. Just don't do it immediately or too much or you might become annoying.
• Never be presumptuous. Don't assume they will give you a meeting or sponsorship. Simply thank them for their consideration.
• Don't forget to send a thank you note if you get a sponsorship.

• Check punctuation . Many people don't know how to use commas or apostrophes properly. The little things matter here.
• Print out a copy of your letter, set it down, and read the hard copy in a few hours. Sometimes the eye gets so wedded to online content that it can be easier to miss typos if you're reading it online.
• Make sure you send it with proper postage in a professional business looking envelope.
• 7 Here is an example: Your Letterhead (if applicable) Date:____ Address: _________ _________________ _________________ Dear Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. _______ Recently, I was invited to compete in Miss USA State Preliminary Competition. While at the State Preliminary Pageant, I will have the opportunity to be chosen as the state's representative to the Miss USA National Pageants. I would be grateful if you helped in sponsoring me in Miss Colorado USA for my chance to win. More than 20-50 women will be competing with me. This event will be televised regionally with an anticipated audience of 2 to 300,000 and all my sponsors will be named in the pageant and on future productions website. The amount a sponsor may contribute is flexible. You could assist me through one of the options listed below. $____ – Your name, description, and logo $____ – Your name and description $____ – Your name and logo $____ – Your name If you are interested in sponsoring me, please get back to me at ___________________.

Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely, Signed Name Typed Name

Community Q&A

• Find a key contact person rather than a secretary or other third-party. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Do not be demanding. Ask politely. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Unless you have exceedingly beautiful handwriting, type the letter. This will make it look more professional. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• Approach the sponsorship as a partnership: you have something they need, and they have something you need. Don't be afraid to negotiate, and always act like a professional.
• Ask a friend or family member to check your letter for any grammatical errors.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/131483.pdf
• ↑ http://bmes.seas.ucla.edu/uploads/5/4/7/6/54763313/sponsorship_proposal_15-16_v0.pdf
• ↑ https://www.letters.org/donation-letter/sample-sponsorship-request-letter.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/basic_business_letters/index.html

About This Article

To write a letter to a potential sponsor, address it to the CEO or head of HR. Introduce yourself and explain your company and cause in the first paragraph, then state clearly that you’re looking for sponsors. Outline benefits that would come with their sponsorship, such as advertising or networking opportunities at an event. Include a few facts to appeal to their logic, such as the size of the audience they’ll reach. Thank them at the end and proofread, then sign it by hand and mail. To learn how to choose a tone for your letter or how to outline your points, continue reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Sponsorship Letter (+ 7 Templates)

Sponsorships can take your fundraising efforts to new heights—elevating your events, opening up partnership opportunities and more. They’re all about making lasting relationships with donors.

But how do you kickstart these connections and start bringing in donations that pack an impact? There’s a tried and true tactic: writing sponsorship letters.

Of course, getting sponsorships isn’t as easy as sending out a few letters. But if you’ve already identified some warm leads, had some phone calls and are ready to explore further opportunities with an organization, then that’s where sponsorship letters, and this post, come in handy.

We’ll cover everything you need to know about sponsorship letters: what they are, how to write them, who to send sponsor letters to. Plus, we’ve got samples and templates to get you started!

Read more: Seven Sponsorship Letter Templates For Every Situation  

What Is a Sponsorship Letter?

Unlike a standard fundraising letter that asks for donations, grants , contributions, volunteer time, auction items or other gifts, a sponsorship letter has a slightly longer reach.

It focuses on building a relationship with a potential donor and approaches them like a partner, including offering an incentive for their support.

A sponsorship letter typically asks a business or individual to contribute to an event , fundraising initiative or provide long-term support to a non-profit organization. Along with the obligatory tax receipt, the donor will be offered additional benefits for their support, such as priority seating at an event, a speaking slot, or inclusion in event publicity.

What You Give an Organization in Return for Sponsorship

You might be wondering, “But why would a business choose to sponsor us? What can I give them in return?”

But in fact, there are a lot of advantages to charitable giving. In addition to the good feeling that comes with supporting a non-profit organization they believe in, donors have more to gain — especially businesses.

That’s because social responsibility has become increasingly important to consumers, particularly millennials. Research shows that 70 per cent will spend more on brands that support causes.

So, if an organization can demonstrate that they support causes that matter to their customers, they’ll achieve a “halo effect” that will boost goodwill (and potentially sales) for their business.

Other benefits include improving morale among their employees, marketing their brand and strengthening the community in which they do business. Individual donors who are looking to raise their personal or professional profile will also enjoy the perks of being known for their generosity.

Plus, don’t forget that you have a great audience — one that businesses might not be able to reach as easily otherwise. Giving them access to it is something that many businesses don’t mind paying for.

So, what can you offer in exchange for sponsorship? Some ideas are:

• Advertising space in an event program
• Their logo prominently featured in all communications about the event, on social media, etc.
• Public acknowledgement of the donor’s generosity
• Promotional materials included in swag bags or available at event(s)
• An opportunity to speak at an event
• A booth at an event
• Being included on the non-profit’s online ‘Supporters’ list
• A framed “thank you for your support” letter to put up in their office
• Social media shout-outs
• Running a contest at your event or on social media

Want some really out-of-the-box event and sponsorship activation ideas ? Here’s a bonus list that can spark ideas.

Determining Your Sponsorship Letter’s Goals

To reiterate, sponsorship letters shouldn’t be the first point of contact you have with a potential sponsor.

Instead, they should be used to provide more information once you’ve already had an initial contact with the right person at the organization.

Unlike a fundraising letter, the ultimate goal of the sponsorship letter isn’t necessarily to solicit short-term financial support — although that can be part of it. More importantly, you want to sow the seeds for a long-term relationship.

This means you’re appealing to an organization or individual in a way that will demonstrate the value of the work your organization does and outlining how it relates to them and the people they care about. By the end of the letter, you want them to be inspired to be involved in your organization in a way that extends beyond a one-time donation.

In fact, sometimes a potential sponsor can do more for you than make a generous financial contribution. An ongoing sponsorship relationship with your organization will provide a business a steady flow of publicity — and vice versa.

Once you’ve made a connection, there are a few ways you can use a sponsorship letter:

• As a tool for soliciting financial or in-kind support for a specific event or campaign
• As a way to forge a mutually beneficial partnership with an individual or corporate donor
• To request non-financial contributions, such as time, equipment, space or supplies.

Be clear about what you’re asking each donor in a sponsorship letter, why you’re asking and explain what’s in it for them.

In fact, I’ve noticed that some of the most successful sponsorship programs aren’t all about events, even though that’s how many organizations think of them.

By expanding your sponsorship horizons to consider in-kind donations, employee giving, and more, you may find that it’s a lot easier to build a connection with a wider variety of organizations.

Read More:  Everything you Need to Know About Virtual Sponsorship for Nonprofits

How to Find Organizations That Are Likely to Support Your Cause Through Sponsorship

The best sponsorship letters I’ve seen are the ones that are highly personalized.

That means before you start writing, you have to do your research.

So, before sending a letter to every business in your town, here are some ways to unearth good potential sponsors:

• Look at organizations that give to nonprofits that are similar in nature to yours . A restaurant sponsors a sports team would be more likely consider your after-school sports program than a business that has never sponsored a team.
• Consider complementary businesses . Look for businesses that operate in the same space you do. If your nonprofit is related to health, look at health practitioners, health-aid suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, etc.
• Check mainstream and social media for people who are passionate about your cause . Some organizations and individuals go all in on certain causes. An Internet search with the right keywords (i.e. those that relate to the purpose of your association and your city or town) can give you plenty of leads.
• Mine the networks of your members, your staff and your board. We know that people are more likely to consider requests of any kind if they come through a person they trust. Ask everyone associated with your organization, plus your family and friends, to help you make a connection with potential donors.
• Shop local. People and businesses generally like to support the organizations and causes that are in their communities.
• Approach businesses that have supported you in the past. This one seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes associations overlook current or past donors for sponsorship opportunities because they already give in a different way. Give them options!
• Look for companies with robust corporate social responsibility programs. Many employers empower their employees to give back in their communities via things like paid volunteer time and donation matching. Throw your organization into the ring!
• Connect with people who benefit from your association. Ask them to provide potential donors in their network. They would be able to do the initial outreach to offer a personal reason for donating. You can follow up with a great sponsorship letter.
• Consider your suppliers or vendors. Anyone your association pays for goods or services may feel a personal connection to your cause and organization. They’re prime candidates for sponsorship.

Read More: How to Solicit Corporate Sponsorships The Right Way

10 Best Practices for Writing Sponsorship Letters

So, you’ve collected your list of recipients. You’ve made a lot of phone calls, and have made a few contacts. Now it’s time to whip out your pen (or laptop) and get to writing!

To keep you from staring at a blank page for too long, here are some best practices.

1. Use the sponsor’s name

Since sponsorship is all about building relationships, writing “To Whom This May Concern” just won’t cut it. Find out the right person within the organization who should receive the letter by calling to ask who makes decisions about corporate donations, or by looking through their website and using an email scraper like Hunter to get their contact information.

2. Get the personalization details right

It should go without saying, but double check that you’ve got the correct spelling of their name. Don’t assume it’s Joseph Smith – it could easily be Josef Smythe. When you’re asking for the proper spelling, ask what name they mostly go by. Maybe Joseph is actually Joey to most people.

3. Tailor your sponsor letter

There are no long-term relationships that began with a form letter. You don’t have to write every word of every letter from scratch, but you should at least write a tailored opening that demonstrates you know something about them. “As a small business that gives back to [XYZ charities], it’s clear that you care about community…”

4. Keep it short

Be respectful of their time by keeping your sponsorship letter to one page and use shorter sentences and smaller paragraphs. Studies show that people will put off what they can’t read in under 1-3 minutes.

5. Put Yourself in your sponsor’s shoes

You know what you want (sponsorship), but a good letter considers the recipient first. Now that you’ve had the chance to speak with them, you should know: what do they want? A way to give back to their community? A simple way to get their brand name out there? To benefit from the halo effect? To give their employees a way to give back? A chance to show their customers that they care about the cause? Write for them.

6. Write the letter from leadership

Make sure the letter is signed by the president or an executive of your non-profit so your recipient can feel assured that it’s professional and legitimate. Include your charitable registration number too.

7. Get someone your sponsor knows to write the letter

Getting someone the recipient of your letter already knows to write the letter will make them more likely to read it than if it comes from a faceless organization. Even if you’ve already made a connection with them, it never hurts to remind them of their personal — and of the impact to someone who’s already in their network.

8. Give sponsors choice

When you get to the part about sponsoring, offer a number of ways to be involved with your organization. Let them know you’re open to all kinds of partnership possibilities.

9. Include the benefits of sponsorship

Don’t forget to list the ways a sponsorship will benefit them. Offer listings on your event or regular communications material, include logos on advertising and swag, give them a table or VIP access to an event or special mentions on all fundraising campaigns. Think about what they would want and create a tailor-made appeal.

10. Include a follow up to your sponsorship letter

You can’t expect every recipient to be immediately inspired to write a check or pick up the phone to make a donation. The sponsorship letter is the first communication on the road to building a relationship. Be sure to include follow-up information, i.e. how they can reach the right person in your association. If it’s appropriate, assure them that you will follow up in another way. (And then make sure you do follow up by phone or email.)

Read More:  4 Ways Small Nonprofits Can Leverage Corporate Philanthropy

Seven Sponsorship Letter Templates For Any Situation

So now that you’ve decided who you’re reaching out to and know what to include, here are examples of several different kinds of letters you might decide to write. Click here to download all of the templates, or keep reading to view our examples.

1. General Sponsorship Letter

Adapt this template for use in any situation where you’re seeking sponsorship.

2. Event Sponsorship Letter

Looking for event sponsors? Here’s the template for you!

3. In-Kind Donations Sponsorship Letter

If you want in-kind donations , this is the letter to use.

4. Food Donations Sponsorship Letter

Looking for food donations from a cafe or restaurant for your next event or volunteer gathering? Check out this template.

5. Sports Teams Sponsorship Letter

Is your sports team looking for sponsors? Use this letter to reach out.

6. Churches Sponsorship Letter

Is your church looking for sponsors? Here’s the letter for you.

7. General Follow-Up Letter

If you haven’t heard back from your potential sponsor and want to check in, here’s a template you can use.

And there you have it: everything you need to know about sponsorship letters.

It may seem like a lot of work, but targeting the right people with the right offer is more likely to result in meaningful support from individuals and corporate sponsors — leading to more donations down the road.

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Benchmarks & insights for growing revenue and constituents.

Sports Sponsorship Letter Template in PDF

Template.net's Printable, Free Sports Sponsorship Letter Templates Can Help You Write a Convincing Letter Requesting Sponsorships. Whether You Need Funds for a Youth Sports Team, Soccer Club, Football Club, or Any Sporting Activity, It'll Be Easier to Draft a Fundraising Letter That You Can Integrate with a Proposal Presentation. Browse, Download, and Formally Request for a Sponsorship!

• Sports Appreciation Certificate
• Sports Background
• Sports Camp Flyer
• Sports Card
• Sports Catalog
• Sports Certificate
• Sports Development Plan
• Sports DL Card
• Sports Event
• Sports Event Ticket
• Sports Fitness
• Sports Flowchart
• Sports Flyer
• Sports Invitation
• Sports Letterhead
• Sports Organizational Chart
• Sports Participation Certificate
• Sports Plan
• Sports Poster
• Sports Proposal
• Sports Sponsorship Letter
• Sports Ticket
• Sports Voucher
• Qatar National Sports Day
• Qatar National Sports Day Background

Have your sports team made it to the nationals? When the main event is held in a city far away, it can cost a lot of money for the accommodations, transportation, and sports equipment. Your school or organization may not be able to provide all those. Still, with the support of business owners or government organizations, you might be able to get to the location fully equipped with skills and ample rest. 

A sponsorship letter goes a long way and to get the best support for your team or athletes. You have to come up with a professionally written letter with a hint of a friendly tone. When you're training your athletes' overtime for the upcoming games, you might not have the energy to write sponsorship letters. On Template.net, you can get access to a collection of ready-made letters that are fully editable. Each template features guide texts to help you organize your thoughts and information. You can also save time preparing your letters as they contain prescribed content. All you have to do is simply replace the bolded texts with the necessary information.

Get access to free sample letters for youth sponsorships, fund requests, and individual athletes' support for various sports events such as golf tournaments. With Template.net's user-friendly editing tools, you can add a personal stamp to your chosen letter or customize the entire content with modern font styles and corporate colors. The letter samples are downloadable into various formats ideal for Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Microsoft Outlook, and Google Docs. When you're all done editing your letters, you can save a copy in PDF and have it printed or send it directly to your desired sponsors via email on Template.net.  

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• Asking for Donations
• Fundraising

How To Write a Sponsorship Letter (+ Templates)

By Whit Hunter on March 20, 2024

Want to build an effective fundraising campaign?

Our team is here to give you more details and guides on how to grow your fundraiser.

Writing a sponsorship letter can seem tough, but it's an excellent way to get backing for your event, project, or organization. In this blog, we'll walk you through how to write a clear and effective sponsorship letter. 

We've also included templates to make it easier for you. You'll learn how to reach out to businesses or individuals in a way that grabs their attention and helps you get the support you need. 

Let's find out how to create a letter that leaves a lasting impression.

What Is a Sponsorship Letter?

When we're talking about how to write a sponsorship letter, it's key to understand what a sponsorship letter actually is. 

In short, a sponsorship letter is a type of letter you write to ask someone or a company to support an event, activity, or project . The support can come in different forms, like money, products, or services.

Sponsorship letters are not just about asking for help. They play a big role in creating strong connections between people or groups. 

Think of them as bridges. When you reach out with a sponsorship letter, you're not only seeking support but also offering a chance to work together. It can lead to a partnership where both sides benefit. 

You get the support you need, and the sponsor gets to be part of something positive, often getting their name out there in a good light.

Preparing to Write Your Letter

Before you start writing your sponsorship letter, you need to do some homework. Let's break it down into two main parts:

1. Researching Potential Sponsors

The first step is to look for businesses or people that make sense for your project or event. You want to find sponsors whose interests and values match up with what you're doing. 

For example, if you're organizing a local sports event, companies that sell sports gear or promote healthy living might be a good fit. Or, if your project is all about art, you might look for businesses that have supported art shows or community arts programs in the past. 

This research helps you find sponsors who are more likely to be interested in what you're offering because it matches their mission and past activities.

2. Understanding What Sponsors Look For

Now, think about what these potential sponsors want. When a company decides to sponsor something, they're not just giving away their money or products for nothing. They're looking for something beneficial in return. 

It could be positive publicity, a chance to reach more customers, or a way to show that they care about certain issues or communities. Your job is to figure out how your event, project, or activity can offer these benefits.

It's also important to understand that sponsors want to see their values and interests reflected in what they sponsor. For instance, a company that's all about environmental sustainability will be more likely to support eco-friendly events or promote green living.

Components of a Successful Sponsorship Letter

Once you've done your research and understand what your potential sponsors are looking for, it's time to start writing your letter. But not just any letter. 

To really grab their attention and get them to consider your request, your sponsorship letter needs to have certain key parts. Let's walk through what makes a sponsorship letter successful.

Personalizing the Letter to Focus on the Sponsor

First things first: write a letter about them, not just you. Instead of starting off talking about your needs, begin by mentioning something you admire about their company or a recent achievement of theirs. 

Shows that you've done your homework and you're not just sending the same letter to a bunch of different companies. It's like saying, "Hey, I see you and what you're doing, and I think we could do something great together."

Keeping the Letter Concise and to the Point

Your letter should be like a good conversation – engaging but not dragging on forever. Keep it short and sweet, sticking to one page if possible. 

You want to make your point without losing their interest. So, focus on the essential information: who you are, what you're asking for, and why they should consider your request.

Highlighting the Mutual Benefits for Both Parties

This part is crucial. Your letter should clearly explain what's in it for them. Remember, sponsorship is a two-way street. 

Talk about how sponsoring your event or project can benefit them, whether it's through positive publicity, reaching a new audience, or associating their brand with a good cause. 

Make it clear that you're offering them value, not just asking for a favor.

Providing Clear and Specific Details About Your Request 

Be clear about what you're asking for. Are you looking for financial support, products, or services? How much or how many? Then, explain exactly what their sponsorship will help to achieve. 

Will it fund an event that brings the community together? Will it support a program that helps young people learn new skills? The more specific you are, the easier it is for them to understand the impact of their contribution.

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Importance of a Clear Call to Action and Expressing Gratitude

Two of the most critical elements in your sponsorship letter are your call to action and your expression of gratitude. Your call to action should be easy, telling the potential sponsor exactly what step you want them to take next. 

Just as important is saying thank you. Even if they haven't agreed to anything yet, thanking them for their time and consideration shows that you value their potential support. 

It leaves a positive impression, which can make them more inclined to help now or in the future.

Writing Your Sponsorship Letter

Now that we've covered the key components of a successful sponsorship letter, let's explore the step-by-step process of writing it.

• Address the letter to a specific person if you can. Using someone's name, like "Dear Mr. Smith" or "Dear Ms. Johnson," makes your letter feel more personal and shows you've taken the time to research who you should be talking to.
• Quickly tell them who you are and what you're working on. It sets the stage for the rest of the letter.
• Here's where you talk about why you're writing to them specifically. Mention any connection to their company's values, past sponsorships, or interests that make them a good fit for your request.
• Be clear and specific about what kind of support you're looking for.
• Explain how sponsoring your project or event can benefit them. 
• Give them the specifics of your event or project. Include dates, locations, and what their sponsorship will help you accomplish. 
• Express your gratitude for their consideration and include a clear call to action. Tell them exactly what you want them to do next, whether it's to reply to your letter, call you, or visit your website for more information.
• End your letter with a polite closing, like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name and contact information.

Templates and Examples Of a Sponsorship Letter

After learning about the ins and outs of writing a sponsorship letter, you might be ready to start crafting your own. But staring at a blank page can be daunting, right? 

That’s where templates and examples come in super handy. To make things easier for you, we've put together 3 editable templates. Each is tailored to a different type of sponsorship or event.

General Nonprofit Event Sponsorship

Subject: Partnership Opportunity: [Event Name]

Dear [Sponsor's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to you on behalf of [Your Organization's Name], a nonprofit dedicated to [Brief Description of Your Mission]. We are currently planning an event, [Event Name], which aims to [Briefly Describe Purpose of Event].

We believe that [Sponsor's Company] shares values similar to ours, especially in [Mention a Specific Area of Interest/Value]. We are reaching out to see if you would be interested in sponsoring our event. 

Your support would be incredibly valuable to us, and in return, we can offer [Mention Specific Sponsorship Benefits, like Logo Placement, Speaking Opportunities, etc.].

Enclosed, you will find a detailed proposal of the event and the different sponsorship levels. We are excited about the possibility of partnering with you to make a significant impact.

Thank you for considering this opportunity and I look forward to working together.

[Your Name] [Your Position] [Your Organization's Name] [Contact Information]

Charity Fundraiser Sponsorship

Subject: Join Us in Making a Difference: [Fundraiser Name] Sponsorship

Good day! We're reaching out from [Your Organization's Name], where we strive to [Organization's Mission]. We are organizing a fundraiser, [Fundraiser Name], to support [Specific Cause or Project], and we need your help.

Your company, [Sponsor's Company], is known for its commitment to [Related Community Service or Value]. This is a great opportunity for your brand to be seen supporting a noble cause. 

In return for your sponsorship, we can offer [Specific Benefits, like Media Exposure, Event Booth, etc.].

Please find attached a proposal outlining the event details and how your sponsorship can make a difference. 

Thank you for considering this request. I am here to discuss how we can partner together for a successful fundraiser.

Best regards,

Educational Program Sponsorship

Subject: Support Educational Excellence: Sponsor [Program Name]

I am writing from [Your Organization's Name], where our mission is to [Brief Description of Mission]. We are launching an educational program, [Program Name], designed to [Objective of the Program]. To make this program a success, we are seeking sponsorship from dedicated companies like [Sponsor's Company].

Your support can help us [Briefly Describe the Impact of the Program]. In appreciation of your sponsorship, we offer [List Sponsorship Benefits, like Logo on Materials, Mentions in Press Releases, etc.].

Attached is a proposal with more details about the program and how your company can help. We believe that your support will make a significant difference.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to impact our community positively. I look forward to the possibility of partnering with you.

Warm regards,

Tips for After Sending Your Sponsorship Letter

After you've sent out your sponsorship letter, the work isn't over yet. Here’s what to do next. These tips will help you follow up with potential sponsors and keep the communication going.

• Give your potential sponsors some time to read your letter. If you haven't heard back in 1-2 weeks, send a polite follow-up email or make a phone call.
• When you follow up, keep your tone friendly but professional. Show your appreciation for their time and consideration.
• Sometimes, sponsors want to talk more about your event or cause. Be ready to answer their questions and share more details.
• Even if they haven't said yes yet, keep potential sponsors updated on your progress. It shows them you're active and committed.
• When you get a sponsor, thank them on social media. It shows appreciation and can encourage others to sponsor too.
• Talk about your event or cause on social media. Share pictures, stories, and why it's important. Tag potential sponsors to get their attention.
• Sometimes, the best way to meet sponsors is through people you know. Ask friends, family, or colleagues if they can introduce you to potential sponsors.
• Use social media to host a Q&A session. Talk about your event or cause and answer questions. It can get more people interested, including sponsors.
• Whether it's through emails, social media, or meetings, keep all your sponsors and potential sponsors updated on your plans and progress.

The Power of Sponsorship Letters

Sponsorship letters are a powerful tool. They're not just about asking for help, they're about creating partnerships. These letters can open doors to new possibilities for your event, cause, or project. 

They bring together organizations and individuals who share common goals. And, when done right, they can have a huge impact.

Remember, each letter is a chance to tell your story, to share your passion, and to invite someone to join you in making a difference. So, take what you've learned, use these strategies, and start reaching out. 

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Whit Hunter is the co-founder of BetterWorld , the free, easy-to-use online fundraising platform. His passion for empowering nonprofits and tech expertise have shaped BetterWorld’s mission to make fundraising more accessible and efficient.

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How To Write A Sponsorship Letter [5 Examples]

Planning to fundraise for your started business and don’t know where to start? Best way is to start by drafting a sponsorship letter. But, how to write a sponsorship letter? Well, here are steps to write a sponsorship letter for your business ideas along with 5 best sponsorship letter examples.

Securing sponsorship may seem intimidating, but it’s a crucial step when seeking funds for an event, organization, or personal development. When you find yourself asking a stranger for financial support, employing the right techniques becomes essential to elicit the desired response.

Fortunately, you possess a valuable tool to initiate this process: the sponsorship request letter. This letter serves as the optimal means to kickstart introductions and move one step closer to securing a sponsor, thereby establishing a mutually beneficial partnership.

Continue reading to discover the art of crafting a sponsorship letter, including what information to incorporate and how to structure your letter to maximize the chances of attaining successful sponsorship.

What is a Sponsorship?

To successfully secure sponsorship in any endeavor, it’s crucial to grasp the essence of what sponsorship entails. Sponsorship can be defined as the role or function of an individual or group that endorses, supports, advises, or financially assists another person, organization, or project. Simply put, when you’re seeking financial backing or resources to support yourself, an event, or a cause you believe in, that’s sponsorship.

Recognizing that sponsorship involves marketing on various levels, including digital marketing, is key for both those seeking sponsorship and those willing to sponsor a cause. Sponsorship transforms something as basic as an idea or a brand into something marketable, competitive, and appealing for others to support.

As a successful entrepreneur, understanding and leveraging the marketing aspect of sponsorship becomes instrumental in making your venture stand out and attract support.

What Do You Give in Return For Sponsorship?

When you approach a company seeking sponsorship for your venture, it’s essential to understand that the interaction goes beyond a mere exchange of pleasantries. Sponsors typically anticipate receiving something in return for their support, and rightfully so.

There should be added value for them in sponsoring you, so keep this in mind as you make your sponsorship request and brainstorm a few ideas. Consider offering the following in return for sponsorship:

●      Displaying sponsor logos on banners, programs, or marketing materials

●      Including shout-outs during announcements

●      Providing a space to sell products or advertise services

●      Distributing branded event swag in gift bags

●      Offering speaking time at the event, if applicable

While your sponsor may have specific requests beyond the mentioned items, most individuals or organizations will align with these general expectations. It’s crucial to recognize that those sponsoring you seek a return on their investment, so tailor your offerings accordingly when negotiating sponsorship terms.

As a successful entrepreneur, demonstrating the tangible benefits your sponsors will receive enhances the attractiveness of your proposal.

How To Find Organizations That Will Support Your Cause?

You don’t have to go around cold calling hundreds of individuals and organizations hoping for some level of sponsorship; there’s a more effective approach. Invest your time in identifying organizations that genuinely align with and support your cause, and then target them strategically.

Now, let’s delve into some steps you can take to ensure you attract sponsors who will genuinely appreciate supporting your cause:

• Identify goals
• Offer a variety of packages
• Research potential employers
• Consider keeping it local
• Don’t rule out the small businesses

1. Identify goals

Above all, it’s crucial to define your goals before approaching a potential sponsor. Whether it’s a fundraising event or another initiative, make sure you understand the desired outcomes and how they will positively impact the organization you’re advocating for.

Taking the time to clearly identify your objectives will pave the way for finding supporters who resonate with your vision. As a successful entrepreneur, having a well-defined purpose ensures you can effectively communicate and align with potential sponsors who share your goals.

2. Offer a variety of packages

After pinpointing your goals, it’s essential, before hitting the pavement, to develop sponsorship packages. By offering pre-established contribution levels, you cast a wider net and provide sponsors the flexibility to choose what aligns with their personal or professional needs.

Think about structuring packages such as gold, silver, and bronze levels, with gold being the most premium and rewarding, and scaling down accordingly. While each package should deliver a return on investment for sponsors, having lower tiers enables you to attract a broader range of supporters in the long run.

As a successful entrepreneur, strategically crafting these packages enhances your ability to cater to diverse sponsors and build fruitful partnerships.

3. Research potential employers

Seeking sponsorship in any capacity requires a substantial amount of research. While you could send a well-crafted letter to 500 companies nationwide and hope for some positive responses, why not invest time in researching the entities you plan to pitch your idea to and identify potential commonalities?

For instance, if there’s a global organization that aligns with your passion for wildlife, your event may be a perfect fit for them. Requesting sponsorship from such an organization might be more successful than approaching the local steak shack.

Conduct thorough research to determine if your potential sponsors share similar values, have a history of sponsoring similar initiatives, and, to the best of your ability, assess their current financial capacity for sponsorship.

Taking these steps will prove valuable as you seek organizations to support your cause. As a successful entrepreneur, understanding your potential sponsors and tailoring your approach accordingly enhances your chances of building meaningful partnerships.

4. Consider keeping it local

Absolutely nothing against global or national organizations – they can certainly make valuable contributions to your cause. However, depending on the nature of your event, it’s essential to consider the power of keeping it local.

The term “local” has a strong appeal and can be a significant selling point. Some organizations strongly believe in “supporting local” and prefer to engage only with entities in their immediate vicinity.

Given that a majority of consumers actively choose to support small, local businesses to keep money circulating within the community, starting local businesses can be a strategic move. Focusing on your local community gives your cause an advantage because these organizations may have more resources and financial capacity to support a local initiative rather than one at a national or global level.

Seize the opportunity to collaborate with nearby organizations that are eager to be part of a local event from the ground up. As a successful entrepreneur, tapping into the support of your local community can provide a strong foundation for your cause.

5. Don’t rule out the small businesses

You might assume that targeting the largest organizations is your best strategy, thinking they can offer the most significant support. However, don’t underestimate the potential of small businesses; they might pleasantly surprise you.

For smaller enterprises, marketing can be challenging. Promoting their specific business can be a hurdle, and this is where sponsorship can come to the rescue. Small businesses value event exposure and may be more inclined to sponsor due to the networking benefits alone.

As a successful entrepreneur, recognizing the unique advantages that smaller businesses bring to the table can lead to mutually beneficial partnerships.

What to Include in a Sponsorship Letter?

Like any formal letter, it’s crucial to adhere to specific layout and formatting rules to maintain a professional tone.

Ensure that your letter includes the following elements:

• Sender’s address
• Opening paragraph
• Middle paragraph(s)
• Final paragraph
• Your name and signature

Brief about each of the elements explained below:

●      Sender’s address: If you’re using a company letterhead, skip this step and proceed to the next. However, if it’s a personal letter, start by typing your address at the top of the page.

●      Date: Add the date after leaving a line space below your address.

●      Salutation: As is customary in any formal letter, address the reader properly. Begin your letter with a greeting such as “Dear Mrs. Smith.”

●      Opening paragraph: Express your interest in the reader’s sponsorship and showcase your value. Capture their attention by highlighting benefits. For instance, emphasize that through this sponsorship, the company will gain exposure to a broader market, potentially driving more business their way.

●      Middle paragraph(s): In the body of your letter, elaborate on the benefits and specify additional offerings if they choose to sponsor you. For example, mention that they will have their logo printed on tickets, a stall at the entrance, and a flyer in every goody bag. Provide background information, explaining why sponsorship is essential, and outline what you aim to achieve. Specify why you reached out to them instead of another company. Include any remaining details about the event (if not already covered) and describe how you collaborate with sponsors.

●      Final paragraph: Conclude your letter by informing the potential sponsor about your follow-up plans. For instance, mention that you intend to call within the week to discuss their thoughts.

●      Closing: Wrap up the letter as professionally as you began, with a closing such as “Kind regards” or “Yours sincerely.”

●      Your name and signature: A letter is incomplete without your name and signature. Add a personal touch with a handwritten signature.

Tips For Writing a Sponsorship Letter

Here are some key writing tips for a sponsorship letters:

• Find out who to contact
• Be personable
• Don’t be pushy
• Proofread your letter
• Don’t attach leaflets, pamphlets or proposals

1. Find out who to contact

Receiving a generic letter, especially from a random stranger asking for something, is far from ideal. As a successful entrepreneur, you want to avoid that. So, before you start crafting your letter, take the time to identify the specific person you need to contact.

Conduct some company research on them and make sure to address your letter directly to them. Personalization and a targeted approach go a long way in making a positive impression.

2. Be personable

If you’re aware that your cause aligns with the interests of your potential sponsor, infuse some personality into your letter. For instance, if you’re raising funds for a charity that holds special significance for them, don’t hesitate to incorporate that connection.

You might say something like, “I’m aware of your strong support for XYZ, and I truly appreciate your previous contributions to X. That’s why I’m reaching out to you, hoping you can lend a helping hand.” Adding a personal touch and acknowledging their specific interests can create a more genuine and impactful connection.

3. Don’t be pushy

Certainly, it’s crucial to be personable, but being pushy is a definite no-no. You wouldn’t want to turn them away before they’ve had a chance to consider sponsoring you or your cause. Therefore, maintain a friendly and polite tone throughout your letter. As a successful entrepreneur, creating a positive and respectful impression increases the likelihood of a favorable response.

4. Follow up

Your sponsorship letter is just the beginning of the process. To truly impress your potential sponsors, you need to demonstrate genuine care. This doesn’t imply being pushy; instead, consider following up with a friendly phone call or a brief visit to their offices to discuss potential partnerships in person.

As a successful entrepreneur, taking that extra step to connect personally can make a significant impact and solidify the foundation for a meaningful partnership.

5. Proofread your letter

Like any professional letter, it’s essential to carefully review your sponsorship request and correct any errors, misspelled words, or typos. Nothing hampers a sponsorship appeal faster than a poorly written letter, so ensure it undergoes thorough checking by multiple people to avoid mistakes.

As a successful entrepreneur, presenting a polished and error-free request enhances your professionalism and increases the chances of a positive response.

6. Don’t attach leaflets, pamphlets or proposals

You don’t want to overwhelm your potential sponsor with an information overload. After all, who really reads leaflets anyway?! It’s better to refrain from presenting full proposals until you have them on board.

As a successful entrepreneur, it’s important to be strategic and avoid inundating potential sponsors, saving detailed proposals for the right time in the engagement process.

How To Write A Sponsorship Letter Examples

To assist you in crafting an effective letter, we’ve developed several sponsorship letter samples to set you on the right path. While you shouldn’t replicate them verbatim, feel free to use these templates as a reference while creating your own letter.

As a successful entrepreneur, leveraging these samples as guidance can streamline your process and help you create a personalized and compelling sponsorship request.

5 examples of sponsorship letter:

• Event sponsorship letter
• Corporate sponsorship letter
• Sports team sponsorship letter
• General sponsorship letter
• Food donations sponsorship letter

1. Event sponsorship letter

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Organization]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[Prospective Sponsor’s Name]

[Prospective Sponsor’s Title]

[Company Name]

[Company Address]

Dear [Prospective Sponsor’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your Title] at [Your Organization]. We are excited to announce an upcoming fundraising event, [Event Name], and are reaching out to invite [Company Name] to join us as a valued sponsor.

[Event Name] is [brief description of the event, its purpose, and the organization it benefits]. The event is scheduled to take place on [Date] at [Venue], and we anticipate a significant turnout from our community.

By partnering with us as a sponsor, [Company Name] will have a unique opportunity to align your brand with a meaningful cause and gain exposure to a diverse audience. Your support will [mention specific ways the sponsor’s contribution will impact the event and the cause].

Sponsorship Levels:

[Gold Sponsor]

[Silver Sponsor]

[Bronze Sponsor]

Each sponsorship level offers distinct benefits, including logo placement on event materials, mentions in promotional materials, and the opportunity to engage with our attendees. Please find detailed information about each sponsorship level in the attached sponsorship package.

We firmly believe that your involvement as a sponsor will not only contribute to the success of [Event Name] but also showcase your commitment to community initiatives and philanthropy.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]. We would be delighted to customize a sponsorship package that aligns with your marketing goals and enhances your brand visibility.

Thank you for considering this partnership. We look forward to the possibility of working together to make [Event Name] a resounding success.

[Your Contact Information]

2. Corporate sponsorship letter

[Corporate Sponsor’s Name]

[Corporate Sponsor’s Title]

Dear [Corporate Sponsor’s Name],

I trust this letter finds you in good health. My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your Title] at [Your Organization]. I am reaching out to you on behalf of our organization to explore the possibility of [Company Name] becoming a valued corporate sponsor for our upcoming fundraising initiative, [Event Name].

[Event Name] is a [brief description of the event, its purpose, and the organization it benefits]. Scheduled to take place on [Date] at [Venue], this event is a cornerstone of our efforts to [outline the goals and impact of the fundraising initiative].

As a leading company with a distinguished reputation like [Company Name], we believe that your partnership would significantly contribute to the success of our event. Your association with [Event Name] will not only demonstrate your commitment to philanthropy but also provide your company with extensive visibility and recognition within our community.

[Platinum Sponsor]

Each sponsorship level offers unique benefits, including prominent logo placement on event materials, exclusive mentions in press releases, and opportunities for employee engagement. Detailed information about each sponsorship level is provided in the attached sponsorship package.

We are confident that your support will not only help us achieve our fundraising goals but also foster a positive and impactful collaboration. Should you have any questions or if you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].

Thank you for considering a partnership with [Your Organization]. We look forward to the possibility of working together to make [Event Name] a tremendous success.

3. Sports team sponsorship letter

[Sports Team Name]

[Team Address]

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am the [Your Title] for [Sports Team Name]. We are currently seeking sponsorships for our upcoming season and are reaching out to invite [Company Name] to become a valued partner in supporting our team.

[Sports Team Name] is a [brief description of the team, its achievements, and its community involvement]. Our team has a rich history of [highlight specific achievements or community contributions]. We are proud to represent [City/Region] and are excited about the upcoming season.

Your potential sponsorship is an opportunity for [Company Name] to align itself with a dynamic and successful sports team, gaining exposure to a diverse and engaged audience.

Each sponsorship level comes with unique benefits, including prominent placement of your logo on team uniforms, recognition in promotional materials, and opportunities for corporate events and employee engagement. Detailed information about each sponsorship level is enclosed in the attached sponsorship package.

We believe that partnering with [Company Name] will not only contribute to the success of our team but also provide your company with visibility and recognition in the local community.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]. We would be thrilled to customize a sponsorship package that meets your marketing goals and showcases your commitment to community involvement.

Thank you for considering supporting [Sports Team Name]. We look forward to the possibility of a successful collaboration that benefits both our team and [Company Name].

4. General sponsorship letter

I trust this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your Title] at [Your Organization]. I am reaching out to invite [Company Name] to consider becoming a valued sponsor for our upcoming fundraising initiative, [Event Name].

[Event Name] is a [brief description of the event, its purpose, and the organization it benefits]. Scheduled to take place on [Date] at [Venue], this event is a significant effort to [outline the goals and impact of the fundraising initiative].

As a respected company like [Company Name], we believe that your partnership would make a substantial contribution to the success of our event. Your association with [Event Name] will not only demonstrate your commitment to philanthropy but also provide your company with extensive visibility and recognition within our community.

Sponsorship Levels: 

[Platinum Sponsor] 

[Gold Sponsor] 

[Silver Sponsor] 

Each sponsorship level offers unique benefits, including logo placement on event materials, mentions in promotional materials, and opportunities for employee engagement. Detailed information about each sponsorship level is provided in the attached sponsorship package.

5. Food donations sponsorship letter

[Prospective Donor’s Name]

[Prospective Donor’s Title]

[Company or Organization Name]

[Company or Organization Address]

Dear [Prospective Donor’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you in good health. My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your Title] at [Your Organization]. We are currently organizing a fundraising initiative, [Event Name], and we are seeking support in the form of food donations for this meaningful cause.

[Event Name] is [brief description of the event, its purpose, and the organization it benefits]. It is scheduled to take place on [Date] at [Venue], and we anticipate a significant turnout from our community.

As a company with a reputation for generosity and community involvement, we believe that your support can make a substantial impact on the success of our event. By providing food donations, [Company or Organization Name] will contribute to our mission of [outline the goals and impact of the fundraising initiative].

Suggested Food Donation Items: [List specific items or categories of food that would be beneficial]

Your generous contribution will not only help us provide essential resources to those in need but also showcase your commitment to making a positive difference in our community.

We appreciate your consideration of this request and would be delighted to discuss how your food donations can be acknowledged during our event. If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].

Thank you for considering this partnership. We look forward to the possibility of working together to make a significant impact through [Event Name].

Final Thoughts

When it comes to crafting sponsorship letters, the entire process can feel overwhelming. Here are some key pointers to keep in mind while physically composing your sponsorship letter:

●      Avoid being pushy and pressuring for sponsorship. Seek sponsors who truly share an interest in supporting your cause; aim for genuine commitment rather than settling for anything less.

●      Give your letter a thorough review, not just once but twice! Avoid sending it in with simple errors; ensure the best version is reaching your potential sponsors.

●      Stay in touch with those you’ve reached out to. A delayed response doesn’t necessarily mean a rejection; be sure to follow up and keep the lines of communication open.

●      Don’t get bogged down in excessive details; while sponsors want to understand the commitment, keep your message clear and concise. You can delve into the finer points later in the conversation.

Have you ever written a sponsorship proposal letter? What methods did you use? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

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• Sample Letters

FREE 11+ Sports Sponsorship Letter Samples in PDF | MS Word | Apple Pages | Google Docs

Organizing a sporting event is always a difficult job. It involves a lot of expenses. First of all, there are certain expenses on renting a venue for the event. Certain expenses have to be made for buying kits for the players. Nevertheless, various other expenses are also involved. To meet these expenses, you need funding from the sponsors. In order to get sample sponsorship, you have to write formal and professional cover letters to the potential sponsors.

Sports Sponsorship Letter

26+ sample sponsor thank you letters, 8 free sample sponsorship letters to download, sponsorship letter for sports team pdf.

• Apple Pages
• Google Docs

Size: US, A4

Free Download

Sponsorship Request Letter For Sports Event

Sports Sponsorship Letter For Individual

Sponsorship Letter For Sports Team

Letter For Sponsorship For Sports Event

Sponsorship Letter For Sports Event

Size: 152 KB

To receive sponsorship for a sporting event, you need to write a formal requisition letter to potential sponsors. You can download this letter sample to create a professional sports sponsorship application letter .

Sports Sponsorship Request Letter Example

Size: 73 KB

Arranging a sporting tournament is always good, but such events need funding. For funding, event organizers have to rely on sponsors. To obtain sponsorship, use this sample letter to apply to the potential sponsors.

Youth Sports Sponsorship Letter Template

Size: 182 KB

Every sporting team is distinguished by its unique jersey. Apart from that, sportsperson needs a lot of crucial equipment in their sports kits. To get sponsors for sports kit, you have to apply to potential sponsors with a formal sponsorship letter.

Size: 102 KB

Request Letter For Sponsorship In Sport

Size: 56 KB

Request Letter For Sports Event

Size: 87 KB

Sport Team Sponsorship Letter Template

Size: 404 KB

Uses and Purposes of Sponsorship Letter

Sponsorship letter or sponsorship application letter has been described as an application that is made in the requisition of sponsoring a sporting event. Sports event organizers always look forward to getting more and more sponsors so that overall funding for the event can be raised. The availability of funds will make the event successful. To get a sponsor, the formal process is writing a letter to the potential sponsor. The letter should talk about the event and its purposes. It should also state why sponsoring such an event will be beneficial. The letter should be written in a formal tone and a perfect structure of application letters has to be maintained. You may also see event sponsorship letters

Who Should Write Sponsorship Letters?

Organizing a sporting event is common. A lot of companies organize sport events for their employees. School or college authorities organize sporting events for the students. Local social bodies organize sporting events to build a bond of friendship among the people of the same neighborhood. Moreover, arranging a sporting event is considered as encouraging youth to participate in such activities. No matter what type of sporting event you are arranging, you have to look for fundraising opportunities. Without funds, it would not possible to manage or run an event. For fundraising, sponsors are required and being an event organizer, you should write a formal letter to the sponsor.

Benefits of Using Sponsorship Letter Samples

Sponsorship application letters have been written by the event organizers. Professional event organizers know how to write such application letters to the sponsors. Though, novice event organizers often struggle with such a letter-writing job. Since they lack expertise in writing such letters, they miss the opportunity to get potential sponsors for their events. Apart from professional event organizers, many other people have to organize events at different points of time. For organizing sample events , funding is required. and funding will come from the sponsors. This formal, professional and impressive sponsorship application has to be written carefully and to write such letters, one should use sponsorship letter samples. You may also see  visa sponsorship letters

When you are struggling with writing a corporate sponsorship letter , you can easily conclude the job by choosing to download online samples for sponsorship application letters. Even professional event organizers use the online samples for sponsorship application letters to save time. Moreover, using online samples help in making the final output professional.

How to Write a Sponsorship Letter

Writing a sponsorship letter is an important step in seeking financial support or resources from organizations, businesses, or individuals for a particular event, project, or cause. Here are some steps to help you write an effective sponsorship letter:

• Research and Target Audience: Identify potential sponsors who align with your event, cause, or project. Consider businesses or organizations that have a vested interest in what you’re promoting.
• Format and Structure: Use a formal business letter format. Include your contact information, the date, and the sponsor’s contact information at the top.
• Salutation: Address the letter to a specific individual if possible. If you don’t have a name, use a general salutation, such as “Dear [Company Name] Sponsorship Coordinator.”
• Introduction: Begin with a strong and compelling opening. Briefly introduce yourself or your organization and provide context for your request. Mention the purpose of the letter.
• Explain the Opportunity: Describe the event, project, or cause that requires sponsorship. Explain its significance, goals, and how it aligns with the sponsor’s values, interests, or target audience.
• Benefits of Sponsorship: Clearly outline what the sponsor will gain from supporting your endeavor. This may include advertising, exposure, brand visibility, or other promotional opportunities. Be specific and highlight the mutual benefits.
• Sponsorship Levels: If applicable, provide information on different sponsorship levels and associated perks or benefits at each level. This allows sponsors to choose their level of involvement.
• Personalize: Tailor the letter to each potential sponsor, demonstrating that you’ve done your research and understand their needs and interests.
• Request: Clearly state the amount or type of sponsorship you are seeking. Be direct in your request, whether it’s financial support, in-kind donations, or another form of assistance.
• Supporting Materials: Enclose any relevant documents, such as a sponsorship proposal, event details, or a brochure that provides more information about your initiative.
• Additional Information: Offer to meet or discuss the proposal further to address any questions or concerns.
• Gratitude and Closing: Express your gratitude for their consideration and support, and provide your contact information. Use a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Yours faithfully.”
• Follow-Up: After sending the letter, follow up with the potential sponsor through a phone call or email to ensure they received it and to address any questions

How do you confirm a sponsorship letter?

Confirming a sponsorship letter involves taking steps to ensure that the letter has been received and acknowledged by the potential sponsor. Here’s how you can confirm a sponsorship letter:

• Send an Email or Make a Phone Call: After you’ve sent the sponsorship letter, it’s a good practice to follow up with the potential sponsor. You can either send an email or make a phone call to confirm receipt. In the email or call, express your gratitude for their consideration and briefly reiterate the key points of your request.
• Request Confirmation: In your email or during the phone call, kindly request confirmation of receipt. Ask if they have had the opportunity to review the letter and if they have any questions or require additional information.
• Be Professional and Courteous: Whether you’re communicating via email or phone, maintain a professional and courteous tone. Be polite and patient, as sponsors may take some time to respond.
• Provide Contact Information: Ensure that your contact information is included in the follow-up email or provided during the phone call, so the potential sponsor can easily reach out to you with any questions or concerns.
• Address Questions or Concerns: If the potential sponsor has questions or concerns, address them promptly and professionally. Provide any additional information they may need to make an informed decision.
• Request a Meeting or Further Discussion: If the sponsor expresses interest but has questions or requires further details, offer to set up a meeting, video call, or in-person discussion. This can be an opportunity to present your proposal in more depth and address any specific concerns.
• Respect Their Decision: Some sponsors may choose not to respond or may decline your request. It’s essential to respect their decision and thank them for considering your proposal, regardless of the outcome.
• Keep Records: Maintain records of your follow-up communication, including the date of the follow-up, any responses received, and any actions required on your part. This will help you manage your sponsorship efforts effectively.
• Send a Thank-You Note: Regardless of the outcome, send a thank-you note to the potential sponsor to express your appreciation for their time and consideration. This professional courtesy can leave a positive impression for future opportunities.

General FAQs

1. what is sports sponsorship letter.

A sports sponsorship letter is a fundraising request that is sent to prospects or organizations, asking to provide monetary funds to run or rally support for a sports event. It explains the details of the sporting event and how the sponsorer can help by sponsoring the event.

2. How Can You Write a Letter for a Sports Sponsorship?

Follow these points to come up with an effective sports sponsorship letter:

• Research your potential sponsors
• Understand what you can offer
• Introduce yourself and your sports event
• Contact sponsors and develop a trusting relationship with them
• Mention why you got in touch and
• Specify when you will follow up

3. What is the Purpose of a Sports Sponsorship Letter?

A sports sponsorship letter can help sports teams or individuals to generate funds for a sporting event by connecting with prospects who can offer sponsorship. It helps put your sports event in front of a large audience and also helps you connect to new clients, customers, and business.

4. What is the Advantage of Having a Sports Sponsorship?

The advantage of having a sports sponsorship is that it helps the sports teams participate in sporting events. It also allows athletes to focus more on the training and production of their sports rather than stressing financially.

5. How do Sponsors benefit from Sponsoring?

Sponsorship sample helps sponsors increase the awareness of their brand, which in turn helps to generate consumer preference. A sponsoring company can strengthen its awareness among its target market by sponsoring an event.

6. Letter of sponsorship for event

A letter of sponsorship for an event is a formal document wherein a company or individual expresses support by providing financial assistance or resources for the event in exchange for recognition and promotional opportunities.

7. Individual sponsorship letter

An individual sponsorship letter is a formal request from a person seeking financial support for a specific purpose, such as education, medical expenses, or a charitable cause, outlining the need and potential benefits for the sponsor.

In conclusion, we are enthusiastic about the prospect of your partnership in supporting our team/event. Your potential sponsorship goes beyond funding; it signifies a shared commitment to promoting community engagement and excellence in sports. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss this collaboration further and appreciate your consideration.

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Examples of Sponsorship Letters for Sports

When you need to raise money for your team or for sporting event, you will need to contact a sponsor. You need to learn how to write proper sponsorship letters and the examples given here should help you learn this.

For any event that needs to be organized, you need a sponsor. Regardless of whether the event is an entertainment event or a sporting one. In some cases, you may need a sponsor in order to raise money for your team. In such a case, you or your company will need to write a letter to different sponsors requesting them to lend you a helping hand in your endeavor. The examples given in this article will help you learn how such letters should be drafted.

Writing Sponsorship Letters for Sports

With any sponsorship letter, it is always important that you send out the letter to an organization that identifies with the event in question. Understand the company you are sending the letter to. Check if they have in the past sponsored such events. If you have any personal contacts at the place, then ensure that you mention their name in the letter. Be clear and precise about what you expect and what you could help out with, in return.

These are just two examples that you can use if you need to write a letter inviting sponsorship for your team. As with most sponsored events, it is advisable that you do not pin your efforts to one organization and send it out to as many people as possible.

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How to Get Soccer Sponsorship

by Chris Baylis | June 16, 2021

Why you can trust Sponsorship Collective

• The Sponsorship Collective has worked with over 1000 clients from every property type all over North America and Europe, working with properties at the $50,000 level to multi-million dollar campaigns , events and multi-year naming rights deals
• We have published over 300 YouTube videos , written over 500,000 words on the topic and published dozens of research reports covering every topic in the world of sponsorship
• All of our coaches and consultants have real world experience in sponsorship sales

Table of Contents

Before you dive in, if you are an athlete looking for sponsorship, check out these titles in our “sponsorship for athletes” series: Sponsorship for Athletes: Everything You Need to Know How to Write a Sponsorship Proposal for an Athlete Personal Branding for Athletes: How to Market Yourself as an Athlete

You’re a small local soccer team with dreams of achieving household name status. Although your team has a great winning record, that doesn’t matter if no one is there to see it. Through corporate sponsorship , you believe your team can get the promotion it needs to reach the masses. How do you find soccer sponsorship?

Here’s how you get soccer sponsorship:

• Determine your sponsorship goals
• Select sponsors not only by name status but sports sponsorship background
• Determine your target market
• Have an online presence if you don’t already
• Select your assets
• Find your “in” at the sponsorship company
• Meet with target sponsors
• Live up to your end of the deal

Although obtaining soccer sponsorship won’t be easy, if your team (or a team manager) is willing to take the time to follow through with these steps correctly and to completion, you could just land your first sponsor! 

Follow These 8 Steps to Secure Soccer Sponsorship

Determine your sponsorship goals.

First thing’s first, you won’t get very far into the sponsorship process if you don’t know what you want out of a target sponsor. Since this may be the first time your soccer team has approached sponsorship, you’ll have some thinking to do. 

Your team manager might make the decision-making here, but do be sure that whatever choice you gravitate towards is one that’s agreeable to the whole team. 

Using the example from the intro, you might decide that your soccer team wants a sponsor so you can grow promotionally. That will put more people in seats for your games, which would be great!

Another avenue you can pursue with a target sponsor is team funding. This cash can go towards bettering your soccer team in a variety of ways. For instance, perhaps you funnel the money towards renting or buying your own training facility and then maintaining it. 

Perhaps the sponsorship funding pays for staff salaries, competition fees, lodging when your team has to travel for games, transportation for that travel, or new gear and/or equipment. 

If that’s what your team needs, then don’t be afraid to ask for it. Target sponsors are a lot of things, but mind readers are not on that list. That said, you can’t realistically present a financial figure without doing some calculations first.

How much do new uniforms cost? What money did your team spend on travel last year? You don’t have to know exactly how much money you’ll need from a sponsor down to the last dollar and cent, but the closer your estimate is to the real financial figure, the better a sponsorship can meet your goals. 

As you get underway in planning for soccer sponsorship, I want you to begin thinking of what you can offer the sponsor as well. It’s okay if you don’t have many ideas yet, but sponsorship is a two-way street. What the sponsor gives you (money, promotion, etc.) is due to something you’re giving them back (valuable assets). I’ll talk a lot more about this later in this article, but I just want to plant that seed now.

Select Sponsors Not Only by Name Status but Sports Sponsorship Background

Next, you want to put together a list of target sponsors for your soccer team to reach out to when the time comes. It’s great if you have a lot of target sponsors to look into, but as you make your list, I ask you to make a few considerations. For every target sponsor that goes on the list, you need to research them. Do you have the time to do that?

Your answer will depend on if you have a big seasonal game that you want a sponsor for. In situations where time sensitivity is driving your decisions, then maybe choose a few dozen target sponsors and begin narrowing them down from there. If your event isn’t time-sensitive, then you can look into hundreds of target sponsors if you want.

Just make sure that you have an end date in mind for when you’ll move onto the next phase of your sponsorship program. For example, maybe you look into 40 target sponsors to start. Once you have that 40, then stop. 

Don’t just do a cursory Google search for each target sponsor. You need to know a fair deal about them. This is the beginning of discovery, although you’ll do more discovery later. If you don’t know what I’m talking about when I say discovery, don’t stress yet! You will by the time you’re done reading.

What kind of information on the target sponsor are you looking for? Well, you need to know who they are and what they do, for starters. If their M.O. doesn’t really gel with your team, then move along. You also need to look into whether the company is current sponsoring sports teams.

I know you’re going to want to pursue heavy-hitter sponsors like Arm & Hammer or Coca-Cola. For your first go-around, I wouldn’t recommend this. 

Why? These companies are inundated with so many sponsorship requests that yours will just be another at the top of a large, never-ending pile. You probably won’t hear back, which can frustrate you and make your soccer team think that sponsorship can’t work out when it absolutely can.

You don’t necessarily have to go for the low-hanging fruit either, but choose sponsors that seem attainable. It’s doubly important that you select your target sponsor with careful consideration when you have a big soccer game coming up. You can’t afford to go through the sponsorship process and be rejected time and again. Before you know it, it’ll be the eve of your big game and you’ll still have no sponsor.

Determine Your Target Market

You have a few target sponsors that you want to pursue, but don’t pick up the phone or send that email yet. Half the process of achieving sponsorship is merely preparing for that initial contact with the target sponsor. You’re not ready to reach out yet. 

No sponsorship program is complete without identifying your target market. Since you’re a soccer team and not a company, you don’t have customers, per se. What you do have is a market that comes to your game, buys your merch, and supports your team. Now it’s time to dig deep and understand who is in that market.

I’ll recommend–as I always do– audience surveys . In that link, I have plenty of questions that you should put into a survey that you then mail (or email, your choice) to your market. You’ll probably have to retool a bunch of the questions since they’re more business-minded, but don’t change their meaning too much.

Give your audience a few weeks to respond to the survey. Then look through all the results and see what they tell you. You’ll be able to better identify the age, gender, location, occupation, income, and marital status of the people who come to enjoy your soccer games. 

Target sponsors lap up this kind of information. Your target audience could become theirs, and knowing who’s in your audience makes it easier for the sponsor to appeal to various sectors of your market.

Your soccer team also benefits. From the design of your team merch to the locations you play, now that you have audience data, you can make more meaningful decisions that will resonate with your target market. This can result in more revenue and a larger audience even without sponsorship.   

Have an Online Presence if You Don’t Already

You focus more on playing soccer, not online mumbo-jumbo. Yet the average consumer expects anything and everything to have an online presence these days, and that includes your soccer team. Your target sponsors would prefer if you have a website and social presence as well so they can learn more about you.  

It’s easier than ever to make a comprehensive website these days, and even better, you can do it for free. You can also sign up on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms without paying a cent. 

Determine Your Assets

Next comes arguably the most important part of your sponsorship program, and that’s putting together a list of assets . What is an asset in sponsorship, you ask? Well, essentially, it’s the same as how you’d define an asset in any other application. An asset is something of value. 

Remember how at the beginning of this article I told you to start thinking about what you can offer the sponsor in exchange for money and/or promotions? What you’re offering them is assets. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You play on a soccer team, what kind of assets could you possibly have for the target sponsor? Well, let me tell you, it’s more than you think. Your target market for example is a huge asset, as I mentioned before. 

Signage in a sports venue is more valuable than signage at an expo, so you have that going for you. Another asset you can provide is branding, such as a branded seat section at a venue or a branded booth or stall. If you can pull some strings, naming rights are a huge sports asset in sponsorship.

If you’re not sure where to start with your assets, here’s what I recommend. Go to the venue your game will take place. Look around and snap lots of photos. This can inspire some signage ideas. Talk among your team and your manager to see if you can offer supplier contracts or exclusivity or even digital assets such as marketing opportunities. 

Your assets will go into your sponsorship package, which is a part of a larger sponsorship proposal. Think of the sponsorship package like a menu you’d see when you dine at a restaurant. It lays out all your assets and their value so the target sponsor can select what they want.

The sponsorship proposal includes some information about your soccer team and your event as well as your audience research and your sponsorship request. To save you a lot of trial and error, I’d suggest following my sponsorship proposal outline when writing yours.

Getting back to your assets, once you have them in a list, you need to determine their value. Nope, you can’t just organize your assets by what you deem the highest to lowest priority. Use market value to assign value to each asset. Keep in mind that your geographic location can make some assets more valuable and others less so. 

The problem with assets often arises when emotions get involved in the evaluating process. Some assets won’t be worth what you thought, which can cause an uproar among your soccer team and the manager. You’ll want to put that asset higher on the list, so you might feel inclined to push up its worth.

Doing this often comes at the expense of winning sponsorship. Keep your prices fair and your target sponsors will be more willing to pay them. That doesn’t mean the sponsorship is guaranteed, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. 

Find Your “In” at the Sponsorship Company

With your audience data compiled, your target sponsors list completed, your assets evaluated, and your sponsorship proposal written, it’s now time to reach out to your target sponsors. I know, it seems like it took forever, but for good reason. If you hadn’t done all that legwork before, none of your target sponsors would have been interested.

I must stress that even if you do everything right, sometimes a target sponsor still won’t be interested. It happens. That doesn’t make the value of preparing your research and assets any less worthwhile though.

Okay, so who do you contact at the sponsor company? You’ll want to reach the company’s sponsorship division or department. Please don’t call the front desk and talk to a secretary. If you do that, you might never get through to who you need to speak to.

You can use LinkedIn to find out who’s who at the sponsor company. Next, I want you to dig through your own soccer contacts and see if anyone associated with your team knows the person or people at the company. Reach out to your circle as far out as it goes and see what shakes out.

Hopefully, you’ll have a point of contact within the sponsor company. If not, you’ll have to send a cold email or make a cold call, which is often less successful. 

What do you say to the target sponsor? That’s another great question. In this article , I laid out a bunch of email templates that come in handy for just a situation like this. You’ll learn how to master subject lines and write a great email body that inspires the target sponsor to respond.

The key is not to ask for sponsorship right away. You’re just trying to set up a meeting. That’s all there is to it!

You might not always get a response after sending your initial email. Although it might seem easier to just give up and not bother the target sponsor again, you’ll never win sponsorship that way. You need to follow up.

In your follow-up email or phone call, you’re still not pushing sponsorship. You certainly don’t want to email your sponsorship proposal . Instead, request a new date and time when you could connect with the target sponsor. Hopefully, this date is more agreeable. 

Meet with Target Sponsors

Woohoo! You officially have a meeting with a target sponsor. Now is no time to blow it. My best piece of advice is to leave the sponsorship proposal at your soccer facility until further notice. If the target sponsor wants to see your proposal, they’ll ask for it. 

I also recommend reframing your expectations of what this first meeting is all about. It’s not a sales meeting, which is a rookie mistake that many sponsorship seekers make. Instead, it’s all about discovery. Yes, I said we’d get back to discovery, and now it’s time.

The discovery phase is when you get to know the target sponsor and vice-versa. Researching the sponsor online can give your soccer team a good idea of whether you two might work well together, but you need to get more information before you can make up your mind definitively.

That’s what discovery questions are for. In that link, I have more than 30 discovery questions you can choose from, but you cannot ask them all. This is a friendly meeting, not an interrogation! 

More than likely, your soccer manager will have more than one meeting with the target sponsor. It’s perfectly normal for the sponsor to not make up their mind after that initial meeting. It’s really only once the target sponsor sees your sponsorship proposal that they’ll be ready to make a decision. 

This part of the process isn’t always as straightforward as I might be making it seem. Since target sponsors can get busy, you need to schedule your next meeting while you’re still in the first one. You might also have to nudge the target sponsor with a follow-up phone call or email if you haven’t heard from them after they receive your proposal. 

Live up to Your End of the Deal

You have your first sponsor for your upcoming soccer game and you couldn’t be more excited. After the sponsor chose the assets they were most interested in, you two undoubtedly talked about event expectations in areas like attendance, sales, web traffic, etc. 

The promises you make to a sponsor should be attainable, so use your data. If your last game had 600 attendees and this is your big seasonal game, then it’s not unreasonable to expect 800 or even 900 people to show up. Don’t tell the target sponsor that 2,000 people will be there though, as that’s a lie.

Even if what you can offer a sponsor isn’t the biggest, most gleaming set of assets on the planet, eventually, some sponsor is going to be interested in what you’re selling. It’s better to achieve moderate goals than it is to overpromise and underachieve. The latter will not win you repeat sponsorship! 

Chasing soccer sponsorship can bring your team to the next level. I know you’re an athlete above all else, which is why this article went into so much detail on the sponsorship process. Like you had to train and practice to be able to kick a game-winning goal, sponsorship success isn’t overnight either. Yet you already possess perseverance and determination, and that will help you get far!

• About the Author
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Chris Baylis is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Sponsorship Collective . After spending several years in the field as a sponsorship professional and consultant, Chris now spends his time working with clients to help them understand their audiences, build activations that sponsors want, apply market values to their assets and build strategies that drive sales. 

Read More about Chris Baylis

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