How to get sponsors for cheerleading
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How do we get sponsors for our cheerleading squad?
Looking for how to get sponsors for cheerleaders?
Winning & entering competitive cheer events can become expensive very quickly, can’t they ? Your cheer team needs thousands of dollars for uniforms, entrance fees and hotel and travel expenses. Where will you raise money for all of this?
One of the best cheer fundraising ideas to raise money is to get corporate sponsors. This article we give you our best tips for getting cheerleading sponsors. And will also point you to a cheer sponsor letter sample template you can use.
Gourmet Cookie Dough
Fun Sock Sale
Gift Wrap and More
Pop Corn
Sell Snacka
A Brief Warning Before We Begin
Hey there! Let’s talk about something important for fundraising. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” right? It means you shouldn’t rely on just one thing to get what you need. This idea is super important when it comes to raising money for your team or club.
Sure, finding sponsors is a big deal. Sponsors can give you a lot of money and support. But what if a sponsor backs out or doesn’t give as much as you hoped? That’s why it’s smart to have other ways to raise funds too. One great way to do this is by using merchandise fundraising brochures.
Why? Because people love buying popular products like cookie dough, popcorn, snacks, and Yankee candles. These are things people already enjoy and are likely to buy. Plus, when you sell these items, your team earns up to 50% profit on every sale. That’s a huge benefit! It’s like getting half of what you sell back in cash for your team.
Using merchandise fundraisers is an easy way to add more money to your fundraising efforts. It doesn’t take away from getting sponsors. Instead, it adds to it. Think of it like having more tools in your fundraising toolbox. Each tool helps you reach your goal faster and more securely.
So, keep finding those sponsors, but also add in some merchandise fundraising. It’s a smart, simple, and fun way to make sure you’re getting all the support you need. Your cheerleaders, fans, and supporters will love the products, and you’ll love the extra funds. It’s a win-win!
What do you want from your cheer sponsors?
You must know what you want before you can ask for it.
Here are three reasons why cheer teams hope to get sponsors.
- Ask local companies for an outright donation to support your cheer squad.
- You can ask them to buy Advertisements in your newsletter or for your cheer website.
- You can also ask them to donate something you can raffle off or have a silent auction for.
So, which one will you be asking for?
TIP: Don’t limit yourself to only one. The most successful cheer teams will often use all three.
How to get corporate sponsors for cheerleaders – THINK like a business owner
Just as a cat has to learn how to think like a mouse if he wants dinner tonight, your cheer team will need to THINK like a business owner if you want to “catch” a sponsor.
What does a business owner want?
- BRANDING: They want to get their NAME out there.
- MORE business. Tell them about all the families that are in cheer as well as all the local people that go to your high school football games that could be potential customers.
- Satisfaction: They want to FEEL good about supporting a good cause, so tell them about your cheerleading fundraiser.
TIP: Make sure you combine all three of these in your pitch.
Brainstorm a list of potential local businesses that might make good sponsors.
Here are a few more tips to attract sponsors to your cheer fundraiser:
- People are more apt to give to someone they know than to a stranger. So list all the people you know that own businesses. Next, think of all the people you know and list the companies they work for.
- Research female owned business owners in your area. You might be surprised to learn that some were high school cheerleaders when they were students. If not, they may be open to helping other young women to enrich themselves.
- Pick Alma Maters from your high school and ask them to show a little of the old school spirit by supporting your squad.
Practice! Practice! Practice!
Just like you would never dream of competitive cheerleading without practicing, don’t wait till you talk to a business owner to practice. You must practice your pitch and explain why you are raising money at home!
Write a cheerleading sponsor letter or a cheerleading sponsorship proposal
Whether you are writing an all star cheerleading sponsorship letter or just a donation letter for cheerleading in general, there are several tips to keep in mind.
TIPS:
- First of all, your cheer fundraising letter is simply your sponsorship pitch in print, so write like you speak.
- Remember to include WHY you are raising money for your cheer team.
- While you are specifically looking for companies that sponsor dance teams or cheer teams, you want to send letters to all the local businesses in your neighborhood. It is important to let THEM decide for you.
- Furthermore, remember to include the 3 options they can use to help. Include any cheerleading sponsor duties if any. Keep this as EASY and simple as possible so you don’t scare them away.
- Finally, make sure to include what is in it for them. Highlight the three benefits we discussed above.
In conclusion, we hope these ideas on how to get sponsors for cheerleading was helpful to you.
If you would like some additional free cheer fundraising ideas and advice, grab your fundraising kit here.
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