It's About Time
What is the best way to maintain a relationship with a sponsor?
Kate Baker Frawley - Keep your sponsor involved year round. Last year, two or three weeks after Day for Kids, we visited all of our sponsors to thank them and see what feedback they had. We presented each sponsor with a framed piece of artwork from our Club kids and talked to them about what worked for them or what didn't. We also kept them engaged by sending e-mails and newsletters. Again, we look at our sponsors as long-term relationships that we want to continue to strengthen.
Bridget McDonald - Invitation to the event, recognition at the event, follow-up thank you letters from staff and cards from kids seem to do the trick.
What is the best advice you can give someone seeking to secure sponsors for their Day for Kids event?
Kate Baker Frawley - Think outside of the box and think of ways Day for Kids is beneficial to that sponsor, i.e, a youth dentist association may be able to offer $1,000 or more for sponsorship and every family at your DFK event is a potential client. So allow them to set up a table, give out prizes and help spread the word about their practice. Start early, because so many nonprofits seek sponsorships for events. Also, explore other areas that can be sponsored, i.e., face painting, balloon artists, etc.
Bridget McDonald - Work hard to make your event the place to be, which helps attract sponsors. Never forget the thank-you factor.
Kerrin Torres - Think about whom you have worked with in the past for other BGC initiatives or projects and approach them with an opportunity to get more involved. If this is a cold call, introduce yourself with a phone call or e-mail and make an appointment to follow up in person. Begin to establish a relationship with this potential sponsor well in advance of the event in case they have a corporate protocol to follow.