1. 8 Myths About Getting
Corporate Sponsorship
and the truth about those myths
Anisha Robinson Keeys!
Principal, Best Practice Fundraising!
www.bestpracticefundraising.com!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

2. Myth #1: Only non profit organizations can get
sponsors
Truth: For profit organizations form mutually beneficial partnerships and
get cash sponsorship from corporations. The cash most often comes from
marketing, sales, and supplier diversity departments within a corporation.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

3. Myth #2: We don’t have sponsorship prospects
Truth: One good way to get started is through the relationships that exist
between your organization’s leadership and the corporations to which they are
connected. Also consider sources like your vendors and the retailers in your
community who may want to develop a mutually beneficial partnership.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

4. Myth #3: We are doing good work so corporations
should support us
Truth: Sponsorship is a mutual business proposition that offers something in
exchange for a corporate gift. Corporations get a return on their “investment,”
enhance their profile, associate their brand with a cause, or attract customers
who support that cause.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

5. Myth #4: We need to hire a Graphic Designer to
create our sponsorship proposal
Truth:Your proposal does not have to be fancy to be viewed favorably. If you
have a connection to the corporation, your prospect will likely consider your
modestly designed proposal over the glossy, fancy proposal of an organization
he or she doesn’t know.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

6. Myth #5: We created the perfect prospect list and if
we send proposals to all of them someone will sponsor
Truth: Corporate sponsorship is successful in part because of relationships.
Focus on corporations in which you have connections. A Prospect Research
session can help you discover connections.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

7. Myth #6: Corporations are not giving because of
the economy
Truth: More than 7 in 10 corporate leaders anticipate their philanthropy
budgets will be roughly the same this year amid continued worries about the
economy. About 27 percent say they will give more and 2 percent will donate
less. Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

8. Myth #7: We can provide value to a corporation by
putting their logo on everything
Truth: Don’t be shortsighted in thinking that logo recognition is of highest
importance to corporate sponsors. You have other benefits to offer. Think about
it, do companies like Pepsi really need you to promote their logo?
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

9. Myth #8: We don’t have anything to offer a
corporation
Truth: What does your brand and that of your sponsor have in common?
Offer an opportunity for your sponsor to participate in a board, staff, or
constituent meeting as appropriate, so that they can showcase their work..
What about opportunities to guest blog, place a message on your facebook
page or tweet a co branded message to your followers?
Wednesday, August 8, 2012

10. Find out more
Transcript from Smallbizchat: How to Get Corporate Sponsorship for Your Small Business
Join our online community at getcorporatesponsorship.com where you can get the workbook that guarantees you will raise money in
the next 6 weeks: GET CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
The workbook offers:
Sample proposals, sponsorship policies and sample cause marketing agreements
The 4 questions you must ask and answer before seeking funding from corporations
How sending unsolicited proposals to corporations can destroy your organization’s ability to earn a corporate finder’s respect
Why “we need the money” and “we are doing good work” are not the answers to getting corporate funding (I'll tell you what is)
How to structure the one-hour meeting that can help raise thousands of dollars through your board of advisors and other
supporters
11 types of benefits you can offer corporations — beyond logo recognition
Wednesday, August 8, 2012