Sponsor suggestions/ideas

[kdreher]

At our conference call last night the subject was brought up regarding sponors and what level they were at, how big the companies were, etc? We don't really have a laundry list of who had which sponsors last year so we thought to start a post and share.

For the Phila, Pa walk I got bottled water donated from the casino near my house in CT. Joanne also got hospitals to donate little goodies they have ~ all hospitals have trinkets like pens, bags, magnets, family info ~ and we used that free stuff for goodie bags. She asked doctors to sponsor us in any way, some gave a little and some gave a bit more. We did not look at large sponsors because it was our first year. We had a lot of little sponsors doing different things and donating items as well.

[molly419]

For the Grand Rapids, MI walk last year, Jennifer's husbands work donated water, juice, fruit, cookies for the break station and afterwards. We also had an preeclampsia member donate her massage services, baseball tickets from the local team. We also did not have any major sponsors, due to the time restrictions.I would suggest baby store, hospitals, restruants, retail, banks, sports teams.

My best advice is to go out and ask. And go in person--I find this most effective. It is more hard for the company to say no to your face, than to a letter or over the phone.

Hope this helps.

[Dawn D]

just adding that for the Pottsgrove, PA walk we had bottled water supplied by the Dairy Queen (which was conveniently the turn around point of the walk course). Also, a Dr. office provided a cooler of ice, bandages, and minor first aid supplies, along with trinket advertisements (pens, etc). The local Redners grocery store supplied fruit, and my church (our biggest sponsor) donated $500. The Reading Phillies baseball team donated several game tickets as well (every walker got 2)! ....just ask around and you will be surprised at who will agree to help! and yes, it is best done in person - but it helps to have valid documentation and contact info about PF to share for their records. AND of course those who were promised their logo on the t-shirts gave more.

Dawn
Mya born @30 wks/emerg. c-sec/ 3 lbs./ severe pree

[aimeejane]

Our local minor league hockey team donated tickets for our silent auction, and a local high-end photographer donated two gift certificates for the same purpose. Many retail stores will donate gift cards, too.

A technical recuiting company donated $200 to cover our insurance costs; my father is good friends with their CEO. Work those connections - your friends and relatives may know someone with some sway! Another friend's company donated $150 to help defray t-shirt costs. It's nice to have specific numbers when you approach these potential donors. They like knowing they're providing a specific service.

I need to get a head-start this year, to get some in-kind donations (water, food, etc.), and larger financial sponsorship.

[mom2tori]

For Beaver Dam, WI our local piggly wiggly donated granola bars, Pepsi donated bottled water, the shell station donated a power drink and $, a construction company got us a port a potty since none of the port a potty companies would sponsor it for us.

I am trying to brain storm all different/new places to approach and since I am not last minute this time around I am hoping to be better prepared.

[martina]

For Arizona, we had the following donations:
1. Dial Corporation Professional Womens' Forum sponsored walkers and a gift basket but more importantly provided an avenue to advertise and solicit donations.
2. Chick-Fil-A paid for the banner
3. Bashas' (grocery store) donated fruit
4. Jill's husband's company donated water
5. Arizona Diamondbacks donated one signed baseball

Jill, was there anything else?

We tried to enlist a hospital and an OB/GYN practice but were unsuccessful. With more time and being able to show prior success, we may be more likely to get them for 2006.

Martina in Arizona

[lizzybeth]

WOW!
You all have your hands full.Let me preface this by saying that I have never done sponsorship recruiting before, however, I would think that companies that are associated with infant needs would be a great place to try, like pampers and formula makers (especially the one that has the supplement for Mom's now)local hospitals that have L&D services, stores that have preemie clothes. Obviously,they would be marketing directly to their intended audiences, women who are having children.

Just an idea.
lizzybeth

[rachel a]

One idea: PICTURES!!! If you did a WAT last year and you took pictures, take those pictures with you when you approach people/companies about sponsorship. It sells.

[jillmushet]

More sponsorship for AZ. We had $ donations from various businesses:

Triple R Child Care (pre-school)
Advanced Urgent Care, LLC
Assertive Asset Management, LLC

NOTE: Most of our sponsorships came from companies AZ PF members knew due to employment or friendship. In other words, close personal relationships.

In addition to bringing photos(!), bring the PF letter and flier(supplied by Jaime and Kris). Also, secure your easiest sponsorship first, however small, and leaverage that to secure additional sponsorship.

[aimeejane]

Hi ladies!

A friend told me about the Runners World calendar, a free listing on their website and in their magazine for races...maybe something we want to pursue for publicity? Additionally, if we share our walker list afterwards, they'll provide us with free bibs and plastic bags for the walks. Not so sure about that, since it's essentially selling our participants' personal information - we'd need to talk about that. But, the calendar is available to everyone.