[Grazia]

We hold one major event each year and solicit for corporate sponsorship. However, we have never had levels. I am intersted in trying to get our sponsors to go from $500 to $1000 and maybe $1500. I was wondering if anyone can share with me how you structure your levels. We offer a lot for $500 and I think I can break them up, but I am not sure how to do so.

Our sponsors get logo recognition in: Invitation, adversiting in local albany, ny newspaper - Times Union (2-1/4 page and 1-Full page) event program, radio spots, event day signage, our website and our magazine that is sent to all our members. Also, we sell about 1,000 tickets to our event.

We talked about maybe doing all the above for each sponsor, but at the $1000 level to do logo placement, and just their name at the $500 level. However, that does not solve my issue of creating a $1500 level.

Any thoughts? I would appreciate it if I could receive what proposals you send to your corporations.

Thank you.

Grazia

[hainslie]

You didn't say what sort of event it is.... You could create sponsorships for certain parts of the event with prominent signage for that sponsor at that portion of the event. For example, at our golf tournament we have sponsorship of our raw bar, on course beverage station, cocktail hour, etc. You could have an event sponsor for big bucks. That name could be put above everything and your org could say, "Event sponsored by Generous Big Bucks". All other sponsors could with listed as "With additional support from..." I must say you do give a lot of placement for your sponsors!

[Grazia]

It is a lecture with a cocktail reception before hand. Last year we had author Doris Kearns Goodwin speak with Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer. It is an informatal Q&A discussion between the two speakers. Then we open the floor to the audience to ask more questions.

I should have added that we do have 2 lead sponsors that give a min. of $7500 to $10,000. Then the rest are supporting sponsors. However, I would like to somehow increase those supporting sponsors from $500 to $1000. Mainly becuase of what you said - They get so much!!!

I was thinking of offering $500 only text list of their company name, and $1000 level logo listing on all adversting. But I am trying to imaging how the invitations/advertising would look.

Sponors: LOGO
Supporting Sponsors: LOGO
followed by text listing of all $500 levels

Since I don't have locations on golf courses to sponsor, I am not sure how to parcel up my advertising and logo placement. Is it ok to break advertising up? For example, give $500 sponsor event day logo only(signage, program, screen) and $1000 all advertising(all Times Union ads and radio spots?

I am trying not to upset our past sponsors who got the entire package last year. Any thoughts?

[Melissa Siobhan]

be very careful what you offer for benefits as you could completely remove the tax deductibility from their gift with certain benefits.

Advertising is typically a no no but advertising is very clearly defined by the IRS so displaying a logo is not considered advertising - adding in pricing, sales info, etc becomes advertising.

Do they also get tickets to the event? That needs to be reflected in their benefits and ALL benefits they receive must be listed with a description and a value on their receipt for their payment. (Per IRS publication 1771)

Typically the higher the level the more benefits they receive. For example: Lead sponsor 1-2 tables, + full page in event program, etc. middle amounts may get 5 tickets to a table, 1/2 or 1/4 page in brochure, while bottom tier gets 2 tickes and a simple listing in the brochure.

I would suggest researching what other npos in your area offer for sponsorship benefits as you likely have some of the same sponsors and you can see what they are used to getting for certain sponsorship amounts.

[hainslie]

I would think it would be easier to move a sponsor to a $750 level as opposed to asked for double. Maybe it could look something like this:

$500 - text listing of sponsor's name in event program and 'thank you' ad after the event
$750 - logo in event program & thank you ad after the event
$1000 - small logo on event invitations, newspaper ads, event program, & thank you ad
$1500 - medium logo on all above & mention in radio spots
$7,500 - $10,000 - large logo & event sponsorship

I've found that some businesses realize that, like everything, costs are going up. Some might get disgruntled but you know your donors better than anyone. Can you identify any business that would truly stop supporting your organization because you have restructured your sponsorship levels?

[Grazia]

Melissa - Thank you for your comments. I read up on this when we decided to get sponsors. I was new to corporate sponsorship and really wanted to make sure we were doing everything right. We do offer them seats to the reception and program, but they are aware that effects their donation. The must submit a form with the names of their guests and let me know if they will not use some of their tickets before the event. I learned that the hard way the first year.

Hanslie - Thank you for your recommendations. I think I will structure it as you suggested. But what is a "thank you" ad after the event. We have never done that before. Can you tell me more?

This is what I have so far:


Lead Sponsor
$7500
• Prominent placement of logo on all advertising and event program;
• Event day Signage and display of logo on screen
• Inclusion in the Archives Partnership Trust’s annual report, Partner’s in Success;
• 10 tickets to pre-ceremony reception and seating for the ceremony
Supporting Sponsor
Gold $750
• Secondary placement of smaller sponsor logo on all advertising and event program;
• Event day Signage and display of logo on screen
• Inclusion in the Archives Partnership Trust’s annual report, Partner’s in Success;
• 6 tickets to pre-ceremony reception and seating for the ceremony
Silver $500
• Listing of company name on all advertising including and event program;
• Inclusion in the Archives Partnership Trust’s annual report, Partner’s in Success;
• 4 tickets to pre-ceremony reception seating for the ceremony

[hainslie]

Some organizations place a 'Thank You' ad in the local paper after an event. It is usually another opportunity to thank the sponsors, attendees, and, in your case, the speakers. you can also use it to mention how much the event raised for your organization and what, if anything in particular, the funds will be used for. It's another way to reinforce the event and get the mission of your org out in the public eye.