Sponsorships - What to Give Back?

As I approach the start of fundraising for my 16U softball team, I am looking into what to reciprocate businesses with who donate to/sponsor my summer team. What I've done in the past is I've offered 5 levels of sponsorship, but this year I'm dropping this down to 4. Here's what I'm planning so far:

Single (up to $100):
> Weekly ad on our FB page
> One free team t-shirt (that we are selling as a separate fundraiser)

Double ($101-200):
> Single level items + a small (2'x4') advertising banner

Triple ($201-300):
> Bi-weekly ad & t-shirt
> Medium (3'x6') advertising banner
> Small "thank you" plaque

Home Run ($300+)
> Bi-weekly ad & t-shirt
> Large (4'x8') advertising banner
> Large "thank you" plaque

Previously I had a level below all of these that included just the advertisement through our FB group, then every level after bumped up a name (so my current "home run" was actually a "grand slam"). I'm curious if either a.) I'm giving away too much or b.) Am I not giving away enough to encourage sponsors? All of our donors are local businesses (we do not get corporate sponsors because we are not a registered not-for-profit and we don't seek them out regardless). Any additional ideas would be greatly appreciated as well!

I think you're going to find it varies by region and organization. For example, Our old rec league only sells banners as a fundraiser which they hang on the OF fence on their fields. The smallest, a 2'x4', the first year cost $175 since it has to be made and $100 each year after. The largest is used as a backstop windscreen and is $1500 first year and $1000 every year after, If they no longer want to pay the sponsorship fee, then they get their banner back.

OTOH, our TB organization doesn't do anything like that. For a $100 they get their name on our website as a sponsor. For $500 they get their name on our website and on our team picture banner. For a $1000 they get their name on our website, team picture banner and added to the sign at our practice field.

In our case, we're much smaller than that, so the idea of just a banner might work if we did just a flat rate per size or something along the lines of that. I'd have to budget out the numbers to see. We are doing a car wash and a team t-shirt fundraiser as well, but I know of two groups that would give us at least ~$300 each (mind you, it takes about $1,100 for me to run a team for a season). So I'm looking for long-lasting ways to sustain funds that will give a business a reason to say, "Let's become a sponsor because we'd get back __________."

team my DD just joined is doing a team banner to take to friendlies and tournaments, $50-$200 donations, size of donation determines size of spot on the banner. looking at sponsor list, they might need two banners (about 15 so far). they asked each girl to get $200. we are having tough time, as team is based a couple of towns over, so kinda hard to get sponsors (no TB team in our town).

ps, I believe they are also going to do a framed team photo to each sponsor.

One of my player's mothers does professional photography, so team photos to sponsors isn't any issue. We don't do tournaments however - we play against other local communities (almost like school ball). So I'm looking for ideas to support local businesses where they could show up to our fields and see we're not trying to screw them out of money. I like what we have so far, just not sure if it's either enough or too much.

banners on OF fence or other prominent spots are good. Also, if you use PA at games, possibly have them mention the sponsor (depending on size of donation), and also generic announcements for patrons to support the sponsors.

We have dugout fencing (fences that extend beyond our dugouts along the 1st/3rd base lines) that would be where we hang our banners. Unfortunately we do not have any outfield fences, though I am committed to talking to our Town (where we play our fields) about maybe getting some snow fencing for an outfield fence (it sucks chasing outfield ground balls 300 feet away when a simple snow fence would look better. They've been iffy about it in the past, but I will try to sweet-talk them and see what I can do.

gdc03120 said:

In our case, we're much smaller than that, so the idea of just a banner might work if we did just a flat rate per size or something along the lines of that. I'd have to budget out the numbers to see. We are doing a car wash and a team t-shirt fundraiser as well, but I know of two groups that would give us at least ~$300 each (mind you, it takes about $1,100 for me to run a team for a season). So I'm looking for long-lasting ways to sustain funds that will give a business a reason to say, "Let's become a sponsor because we'd get back __________."

Click to expand...

First off, our website is free because we use www.leaguelineup.com Secondly, our practice field is free because we found a rundown field at a local American Legion that we made a deal where we maintain it for free if we get to use it for no charge. Over the years, we have dumped quite a bit of money into it but still, many VFW's, Catholic War Vets, American Legions etc. etc. have fields available that they will let you use free of charge because it brings outside revenue in as far as food and beverage orders go. Occasionally, some parents and coaches join as social members which also helps to generate extra revenue. so it becomes a win-win for all since they don't have to pay to have the grass cut on the field and they have a much nicer field to showcase in the end.

ETA: You do not have to be a big organization in order to take advantage of certain things.

I'll have to do some investigating into the website link. Looks pretty good just from a quick 20 second glance. I hate sounding combative towards all the ideas - unfortunately all the ball fields in my town are either a.) The town's or b.) The School's. Using the Town fields isn't any issue - I have insurance and I work around the Little League schedule (and since I'm their Head Umpire, I have slight leverage in that regard). They grate the fields and cut the grass for us generally - I line the fields (which I do for Little League anyway). So we're seeking alternative paths instead.