Leveraging Local Support: A Guide for High School Athletic Directors to Secure Sponsorships from Local Businesses

November 8, 2023

Have a key project that you need to raise funds to pay for? Look no further. Below, you'll find a step-by-step guide on how to position your program to begin generating revenue through sponsorships! At the end, you'll find a link to a sample sponsorship email you can send to businesses in your community to start drumming up leads!

1. Understand Your Program's Needs:

• Conduct a thorough assessment of your athletic program's needs, including equipment, uniforms, facility improvements, travel expenses, and other essential items.

• Determine specific areas where financial support is required, creating a clear and compelling case for potential sponsors.

• If you're fundraising to purchase a Rocket Touchscreen Wall of Fame, be sure to mention that! You can even offer a sponsor logo placement on your Wall of Fame.

2. Identify Potential Sponsors:

• Research and compile a list of local businesses that align with the values and goals of your athletic program. Be sure to collect email addresses and phone numbers.

• Consider businesses related to sports, fitness, education, and the local community, ie. HVAC contractors, real estate agents, auto dealerships, etc.

3. Create a Professional Sponsorship Proposal:

• Develop a comprehensive sponsorship proposal outlining your program's mission, goals, and the benefits of sponsorship.

• Clearly define the sponsorship levels and associated perks, such as logo placement on uniforms, banners at events, and mentions in promotional materials.

4. Highlight the Value Proposition:

• Emphasize the positive impact of sponsorships, both for the business and the community.

• Showcase the exposure and recognition sponsors will receive through association with a respected high school athletic program.

5. Build Personal Relationships:

• Establish personal connections with potential sponsors by reaching out to business owners, managers, or key decision-makers.

• Attend local business events, chamber of commerce meetings, and community gatherings to network and introduce your program.

6. Customize Sponsorship Packages:

• Tailor sponsorship packages to meet the specific needs and preferences of each potential sponsor.

• Offer flexibility in terms of sponsorship levels and benefits to accommodate various budgetary constraints.

7. Demonstrate Return on Investment (ROI):

• Clearly articulate how sponsorships will contribute to the success and visibility of the business.

• Provide data on the reach of your athletic events, social media presence, and other promotional activities to showcase the potential ROI for sponsors.

8. Offer Activation Opportunities:

• Provide sponsors with opportunities to engage directly with the school community through events, promotions, or collaborative initiatives.

• Create activation plans that allow sponsors to interact with students, parents, and fans during games and other events.

9. Express Gratitude and Recognition:

• Implement a system for acknowledging and thanking sponsors publicly.

• Regularly recognize sponsors through announcements at events, social media posts, and other communication channels.

10. Maintain Ongoing Relationships:

• Foster long-term relationships with sponsors by keeping them informed about the impact of their support.

• Provide regular updates on the success of your athletic program and express gratitude for their continued partnership.

By following these steps and demonstrating the value of your high school athletic program, you can effectively engage local businesses and secure valuable sponsorships that contribute to the success and sustainability of your sports initiatives.

About Rocket Alumni Solutions:

Rocket Alumni Solutions provides a critical tool for over 400 colleges and high schools to better recognize and celebrate community achievements. Rocket’s technology makes it easy to build a museum-quality touchscreen Wall of Fame, rendering dusty, overstuffed trophy cases obsolete. Rocket is proud to work with many types of organizations–from professional associations like the PGA Tour, to all levels of college athletics including Division I universities like Maryland and Virginia Tech, to high schools large and small. 

To book your Rocket demo today, click here.

Contact Rocket Alumni Solutions: sales@rocketalumnisolutions.com