Step 1: Develop the Fundraiser Concept

The key to this program is aligning the interests of three parties: the sports team, the local businesses, and your poster business.

• Teams get custom sports posters at no cost, potentially even earning money.

• Local businesses get exposure to families and supporters at sporting events.

• Your business gets orders for the posters while contributing to a community cause.

Step 2: Define the Sponsorship Package

Create a sponsorship package that outlines what local businesses will get in exchange for sponsoring the posters.

Each tier should clearly define the level of visibility and value the business will receive in return.

1. Gold Sponsor – Premium Exposure

• Sponsorship Cost: $500 (example amount)

• Visibility & Benefits:

  • Large Logo Placement: Prominent placement of the business’s logo on the front of all posters. This could be positioned at the top or bottom of the poster in a way that complements the design but draws attention.

  • Exclusive Poster Design: Gold sponsors get their logo on a limited edition poster design, which is highlighted as being sponsored by them. This could include a unique background or border that incorporates the business branding.

  • Shout-Outs and Acknowledgments:

    • Social Media Shout-Out: The team will post about the business on their social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) with tagged mentions and a thank you.

    • Email Acknowledgment: The team sends an email to parents and supporters announcing the sponsor’s contribution and providing a link to the business website or promotional offer.

  • Event Recognition: Mention and thank you during team events or game days, such as pre-game announcements or during the awards ceremony.

  • Sponsor Flyer or Coupon: Option to include a business flyer or coupon with the posters. This is a tangible reminder that adds extra value to the sponsor’s investment (e.g., a 10% discount or a free item at the business).

  • Optional Call to Action: Include a QR code or website link on the poster that directs parents to the sponsor’s page (e.g., “Visit [Sponsor Name] for your exclusive offer!”).

2. Silver Sponsor – High Visibility with Community Engagement

• Sponsorship Cost: $300 (example amount)

• Visibility & Benefits:

  • Medium Logo Placement: The business’s logo is placed at the bottom of all posters (but smaller compared to the Gold tier). It remains visible but not as prominently featured.

  • Social Media Mention: A thank you post on the team’s social media pages with the business tagged and a mention of their sponsorship.

  • Game Day Mention: The team will thank the sponsor during one or two games (e.g., during halftime or at the start of the game).

  • Website Feature: The sponsor’s logo or business name will be featured on the team’s website, if they have one, or in an email announcement to parents.

  • Optional Promotion: Offer to include a coupon code or flyer in the poster package, but without as much flexibility for customization as the Gold package (e.g., a small printed flyer).

3. Bronze Sponsor – Supporting the Community with Brand Recognition

• Sponsorship Cost: $150 (example amount)

• Visibility & Benefits:

  • Small Logo Placement: The business’s logo is placed in a sponsor section on the back of the poster, along with other bronze sponsors.

  • Thank You on Social Media: A group thank you post on social media that includes all the Bronze sponsors, giving the business exposure within the community but at a lower cost.

  • Community Recognition: The business’s name will be mentioned in a "Sponsors" section of the team’s program or on the team’s social media.

4. Additional Customizations and Add-ons (Optional)

You can offer add-ons to make the sponsorship more flexible or attractive, encouraging businesses to opt for higher tiers:

• Framed Posters for Gold Sponsors: In addition to placing their logo on posters, offer to frame and present a poster to the sponsor with their branding on it. This could be a nice keepsake for the business to display in their store or office.

• Custom Social Media Campaign: For an additional fee (or for Gold sponsors), offer to run a small social media campaign promoting the sponsor to your audience.

• Exclusive Sponsorship: Offer a “Season Sponsor” option, where one business gets exclusive rights to sponsor posters for an entire season or specific event (higher price point, $1,000+). This can create an incentive for bigger businesses to come on board.

What Each Sponsor Receives in Terms of Visibility

Sponsorship TierLogo PlacementSocial Media MentionsOther BenefitsGoldLarge, front of the posterDedicated post & shout-outsCoupon inclusion, framed poster, event shout-outsSilverMedium, front of the posterShared post & 1-2 mentionsCoupon inclusion, game day mentionBronzeSmall, back of the poster (grouped)Grouped "thank you" postMention in team program or website

Value Proposition for Businesses

Businesses are looking for visibility and community goodwill. Here's how you can explain the value of the sponsorships:

1. Targeted Audience: Local sports teams are attended by families, parents, and community members, offering businesses access to their key local audience.

2. Brand Loyalty: Supporting local youth sports builds positive brand association and loyalty within the community. Parents will remember and support businesses that support their kids.

3. Tangible Exposure: Posters will be displayed in homes for years, providing long-term brand visibility. Unlike a social media ad that disappears, your logo stays visible every day.

4. Community Engagement: Businesses will be seen as active participants in the local community, which boosts their reputation as a local supporter.

5. Cost-Effective Advertising: Sponsorships are a low-cost way to advertise compared to traditional marketing. It’s a unique opportunity to get their name in front of a highly relevant audience without ongoing costs.

Final Touches:

1. Clear Deadlines: Make sure businesses know the timeline for sponsorship commitment and payment. This helps you get the posters printed on time.

2. Sponsorship Confirmation: Provide sponsors with a contract or commitment letter outlining the details of what they’ll receive and what’s expected (logo file, payment date).

3. Follow-Up and Thank You: After the posters are printed and distributed, follow up with a thank-you email and a summary of how the sponsorship benefited the team and community.

Step 3: Develop a Pitch for Teams

You’ll need a clear and persuasive pitch when approaching teams or booster clubs to explain why this program benefits them. The goal is to make it easy for teams to say yes by outlining the advantages of participating.

Example Pitch to Teams:

• "Make Money for Your Team with No Cost to You!"

  • Custom sports posters at no cost to the team.

  • Raise money for the team—potentially earn a percentage of the sponsorship.

  • Showcase local business support and community pride.

  • All marketing materials and sponsorship pitches are provided by us.

Make sure teams understand that this is an easy fundraiser that doesn't require any significant effort from them. You'll provide them with the materials to approach sponsors, making it almost turnkey.

Step 4: Create Marketing Materials for Teams

Prepare professional-looking materials that teams can use to approach local businesses. This step is crucial because it makes it easier for teams to bring sponsors on board without doing any heavy lifting themselves.

Marketing Material Components:

1. Sponsorship Brochure or Flyer:

   • Explains the program, benefits to sponsors, and sponsorship tiers.

   • Include visuals of what the posters will look like with sponsor logos.

   • Details on how the sponsorship helps support the team.

2. Sponsorship Letter Template:

   • A simple, customizable letter that teams can send to potential sponsors explaining the opportunity.

   • Highlight key benefits: community engagement, brand visibility, and supporting local youth sports.

3. Social Media Templates:

   • Provide the team with pre-designed posts they can share on their social media platforms to promote the program and acknowledge the businesses.

   • Encourage shout-outs for sponsors.

4. Sample Poster or Banner Mock-up:

   • Show sponsors and teams exactly how their logo and business name will appear on the final product. This gives them confidence that they’ll be well-represented.

Step 5: Approach Local Businesses

Once the team is on board, the next step is to help them approach local businesses for sponsorships. Make sure your program is seen as a mutual win-win opportunity for businesses, the team, and your poster company.

How to Approach Businesses:

• Personal Connection: Encourage teams to approach local businesses where they already have relationships (e.g., family-owned businesses, restaurants where parents dine).

• Email or In-Person Pitch: Use the sponsorship brochure and letter templates to guide the conversation. In-person pitches are often more effective.

• Value Proposition for Sponsors:

  • "You'll be seen by hundreds of families and community members at every game."

  • "Your business logo will be prominently featured on every poster and displayed around the field."

  • "Support local youth sports while increasing brand visibility."

Step 6: Track Sponsorships and Payments

Set up a simple system to track which sponsors have committed, the amount they’ve contributed, and when the sponsorship needs to be fulfilled.

• Google Sheets or a free CRM tool like HubSpot can help teams manage sponsor information.

• Make sure you establish clear deadlines for when sponsorship payments must be made in order to print the posters and deliver them in time for the season or specific events.

Step 7: Produce the Posters

Once the sponsorship funds are secured, begin production of the posters with the business logos included.

• Ensure you have a reliable print-on-demand (POD) service or local printer ready to fulfill these orders with the necessary customizations (team photos, logos, sponsor branding, etc.).

Step 8: Deliver the Posters and Recognize Sponsors

When the posters are ready, distribute them to the team, and make sure sponsors are publicly recognized.

• Game Day Recognition: Teams can give shout-outs to sponsors during games, using the materials you provide.

• Social Media Promotion: Teams and your business should share the final posters on social media, tagging the sponsors to thank them for their support.

Step 9: Give Back a Percentage to the Team (Optional)

To make this even more attractive to teams, you can structure the program so they earn money from each sponsorship. For example, a certain percentage (e.g., 10%) of each sponsorship fee goes directly to the team’s booster fund.

Example:

• If a local business sponsors a Gold Tier at $500, the team gets $50 to $100, and you cover the production costs with the remaining balance.

This makes the program a true fundraiser for the team, incentivizing them to actively participate in securing sponsors.

Step 10: Follow Up for Next Season

After the event or season ends, follow up with the teams and sponsors to express gratitude and set the stage for a long-term partnership.

• Ask teams to provide feedback and testimonials that can be used for future marketing.

• Send a thank-you note or small gift (e.g., a framed poster) to the sponsors, reinforcing the community value of their contribution.

Conclusion

By setting up this fundraiser model, you not only create a valuable service for local sports teams but also establish a revenue stream for your business without charging the teams directly. The key is to make it easy for teams to participate by providing them with all the marketing materials and support they need to secure sponsorships.

For further strategies on scaling this process, consider visiting Catalyst88.com to gain additional insights into managing partnerships and growing your business.