As a coach, you want to see your team succeed. You cannot always meet all your team needs with registration fees alone. Sponsors for volleyball teams help you cover costs without overburdening families.
Learn how to secure team sponsorships in this how-to guide.
1. Identify Potential Sponsors
The first step in securing a good partnership is identifying who you want to work with. Doing some research and brainstorming a list of ideas can help you curate a list of potential partners.
Small businesses are a great place to start. Local restaurants, gyms, and sporting goods stores are all options. They typically have strong community ties and want to give back. Many local business owners played sports while growing up or coached their children later in life.
Large or national organizations are another option for sponsorships. They typically have a budget set aside for community outreach. Some common volleyball sponsors include:
- Nike Community Impact Fund
- DICK’S Sporting Goods Sports Matter Program
- Buffalo Wild Wings and The Boys & Girls Club of America
- Gatorade Youth Sports Partnerships
As you consider which sponsors to contact, involve parents in your discussions. They may have connections or ideas that can expand your sponsorship opportunities.
2. Offer Sponsorship Benefits
Sponsorships are a mutually beneficial arrangement. Your team gains funds. What do sponsors get out of the relationship? It is up to you to decide what you can offer.
One of the most common benefits of youth sports sponsorship is brand visibility. Your team essentially advertises your sponsors. You might offer:
- Logo placement on uniforms and other equipment
- Brand information on social media posts
- Sponsor information shared at tournaments or events
Depending on the sponsor, you can offer perks like free game tickets or premium seating at tournaments. You can get creative with these kinds of perks! Find ways to involve sponsors in your community building for meaningful, ongoing relationships.
3. Craft a Sponsorship Proposal
To effectively communicate your need to potential sponsors, you will need to craft a proposal. You should include your club’s mission, impact, and financial needs.
Do not focus only on the logistics. You are not just outlining your expenses but sharing your team story. Add player information, team achievements, and other personal details that can connect with the sponsor on a human level.
Be sure to highlight what sponsors will gain if they support your team. They may benefit from brand exposure, community goodwill, or other perks. Whatever you have identified as sponsor benefits should be included in your proposal.
4. Reach Out and Secure Sponsorships
Once you know which sponsors you want to talk to and what you want to say, it is time for action. Donation letters are a common method for this. You write your proposal in a letter—with all the relevant details discussed above—and send it to potential sponsors.
For local sponsors, in-person meetings or phone calls may be more effective. With face-to-face communication, you can leverage emotional impact and personal connections. National brands often have their own application process that yields better results than outreach via a letter or email. Find their website and follow their instructions.
Whoever you choose to reach out to, do not be afraid to follow up. Building lasting partnerships takes time and investment from both parties.
5. Try Alternative Fundraising Strategies
Sponsorships are important sources of funding for many youth teams. However, they are not the only option you have for raising funds. If sponsorships do not cover all your expenses, think about alternative strategies.
If a local business does not want to sponsor your team outright, consider asking them to host a profit-sharing night with you. For a set period, a percentage of any purchase made at their business will be donated to your team. This popular restaurant option benefits both you and the local community.
Other community fundraising events give individual community members the chance to support your team. Not everyone will have a big budget to sponsor an entire team, but many community members would be happy to donate small amounts. Host a car wash, bake sale, or even ping pong tournament to raise money.
Recommended Reading: 40 Fundraising Ideas for Sports Teams
Feature Your Sponsors on Quality Uniforms from gearUP
We cannot find sponsors for you, but we can make it easy to integrate their logos into your uniform designs. With the gearUP process, you get custom-designed uniforms, an easy-to-use team shop, and direct-to-athlete shipping.
Contact us today to get started or hear from coaches who love working with us.
The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to keep the content accurate and up-to-date, we make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information. Please contact our team for personalized advice regarding your youth sports uniform needs.
