Looking for sponsorships for your next crowdfunding event to help cover the costs? If this is your first time trying to secure a sponsor, it can be quite overwhelming. And so, in this guide, we will walk you through the steps of how to ask for sponsorship that nobody can refuse - the dos and don’ts.

The Significance Of Writing A Sincere Sponsorship Letter

When you want to ask for sponsorships, a sincere, engaging, and well-written sponsorship letter is the perfect way to go. A sponsorship letter is a request letter or email sent to prospective sponsors for a fundraiser that asks the recipient (potential sponsor) for cash or in-kind donation.

But that’s not all. Unlike regular donation request letters, a letter used to ask for sponsorship is usually written in a way that asks a business or an individual to contribute to a crowdfunding event or campaign or provide long-term support to your fundraising organization in exchange for an incentive.

This crucial letter focuses on gaining the trust of the potential sponsor and focuses on building a solid partnership with them. This, in turn, ensures that the business or individual will strengthen their tie with your organization to help you host the crowdfunding event or campaign.

Some Ideas For What To Offer Your Sponsors In Return

So now you might be wondering what you can offer that will seal the deal and your prospective sponsor cannot refuse at all. Usually, in addition to the required tax receipt, the sponsorship letter offers many other perks - such as priority seats at an event, a speaking slot, or free publicity and exposure for the event.

Among other undeniable benefits, you can also offer:

💡 Advertising space in an event program to reach more audiences and potential customers for their brands.

💡 A prominent feature of the sponsor’s brand or business logo in all communications about the event, and on all possible social platforms.

💡 Public acknowledgment of the donor’s generosity that gains attention from donors at the fundraiser.

💡 A feature on your organization’s website and with their mention under the ‘Supporters’ list.

💡 Special recognition and custom gratitude letters for their donation, and more.

Best Practices To Follow To Ask For Sponsorship On Your Letter

So now that you have an idea of what a sponsorship letter is and how you can use one to ask for sponsorship that nobody can deny, let’s dive deeper into how you should write this letter. Below, we have listed some of the best practices to follow:  

1. Make Sure To Address The Right Person

When it comes to sponsorship letters, a simple ‘To whom it may concern’ won’t be enough. Before you even format the letter, you need to be sure of who is receiving the letter within the organization you’re reaching out to and of the individual who will be making the donation.

Most large corporations now have corporate social responsibility (CSR) departments in charge of all donation requests while the CEOs in smaller businesses tend to make monetary decisions for charities. So ensure you address the right person.

Then you need to make sure to address the person directly and with sincerity, which will show them that you are aware of your intentions and not just throwing stones in the dark.  

2. Send A Personalized Letter To Ask For Sponsorship

The potential sponsor needs to be able to see that you are reaching out to them specifically and for a reason. And so, we put emphasis on writing a tailored letter that shows how you know of them and their business, as well as how much you care for the cause of the fundraising event. Personalize the letter to ensure there is no way to refuse your request.

3. Mention Your Organization’s Past Successful Events

When you are asking a company for financial support for your organization, you need to show them that they can trust that their money won’t be wasted on a failed project. You can mention a few of the similar events and campaigns you have helped earlier that have been a success.

Moreover, in such cases, it’s always best to ask for sponsorship from companies and donors who have already donated to or worked with your organization in the past. This way they are already aware of your sincerity and will not need a great push.

4. Send The Sponsorship Letter ‘From’ A Noteworthy Member

One best practice to use is to sign the sponsorship letter from a top, preferably a well-known person in your organization. Better still, try to include a real signature to add to the personal touches, showing that a real person took the time to sign the letter. This will only show greater validation and credibility of the letter.

5. List What Benefits You Have To Offer To Your Sponsors

As mentioned earlier, you will have to offer your event’s sponsors some perks and benefits in return for their contribution. Your sponsorship letter ‘must’ include this list and be specific, ensuring they know what they are in for from the very beginning. Think about what they would want and create a tailor-made appeal.

6. Always Keep A Follow Up Letter Ready For Confirmation

Not every recipient will be inspired to collaborate with your fundraising organization as soon as they receive your sponsorship request letter to make a donation. It is usually the first step of communication for you to ask for sponsorships. However, you need to be consistent in your ask and be prepared with a follow-up letter bearing additional information.

Sponsorship Letter Samples & Tips That Ensures Nobody Can Refuse

Now, let’s look at some short but impactful sample sponsorship letter templates or examples that you can take inspiration from for your own letters. We have also added some personalized tips with each letter sample, as you can check out from below.

✉️ Sponsorship Letter Asking For Monetary Donations

🎯 Ensure you address the right person - check if there is a dedicated department to handle donations or if the letter should be addressed directly to the CEO.

🎯 Then, use the facts and figures from previous successful events to show potential sponsors that they can trust you to handle their money well.

🎯 Do NOT forget to mention the mutual benefits - outline all possible benefits the sponsor will receive from you in return for helping you with your fundraising campaigns.  

🎯 Make sure to include all possible contact information including website links, email addresses, mailing addresses, and more in your sponsorship letter.

Sponsorship Letter Sample #1

✉️ Sponsorship Letter Requesting In-Kind Donations

If you want to ask for an in-kind donation for your fundraising event or campaign, the letter will have to be tailored a little differently. Always make it clear what you would like the letter’s recipients to sponsor.

🎯 While following the guidelines mentioned earlier, you should be more precise about what you expect. If you want firms to sponsor a table at your charitable rally or provide supplies for the participants, for example, you should address that information specifically.

Sponsorship Letter Sample #2‍

✉️ Sponsorship Letter Requesting Kind Volunteers

When your ask for sponsorship, it’s not always about money or material. Sometimes you have to ask for volunteers who are willing to help you conduct the event or participate in the charitable campaign you are organizing.

🎯 You must explain why you need the volunteers and what they must do to help out. Inform the recipients of the sponsorship letter how the volunteering will impact the outcome of the event.

Sponsorship Letter Sample #3

Bonus: How To Write Thoughtful Donation Request Letters

And with that, we come to the end of our guide. We hope this blog, with all of our tips and sample sponsorship letter templates, was helpful to give you an idea of how to ask for sponsorship that no one can refuse. Let us know by commenting below if this blog was helpful in making your donors feel appreciated and bringing you more engagement; we would hear from you.

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