Local businesses are eager to give back to their communities, but they also want to be recognized for their contributions. By providing businesses with clear, easy-to-access opportunities to sponsor or fundraise for a cause, you can offer them a way to make an impact while gaining valuable exposure. Tailoring your messaging to highlight the benefits and significance of the opportunity is key to driving participation from local businesses.

Where to Connect with Local Businesses

Website
Your website serves as a central hub for local businesses to learn about sponsorship and fundraising opportunities. Make sure to include detailed information about how businesses can get involved, what they’ll receive in return, and how their sponsorship will benefit the community. Add an easily accessible sign-up form to streamline the process.

Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and especially LinkedIn, allow you to engage businesses in a more informal way. Regularly share posts about upcoming sponsorships or fundraisers, tag local businesses, and use hashtags to extend your reach. LinkedIn, in particular, is a powerful platform for targeting business owners and professionals.

Physical Promotion at Community Spaces (Chamber of Commerce)
The Chamber of Commerce is a great place to connect with local business owners who are already interested in community involvement. Display flyers or posters that highlight your sponsorship opportunities, or partner with the Chamber to send out information to their member businesses. You can also attend Chamber events to network and speak directly to potential sponsors.

Reach Out Directly (Phone / Email / Mailers)
Sometimes, a more direct approach works best. Call or email business owners with tailored sponsorship packages, and consider sending physical mailers for a more personal touch. A direct outreach campaign will help you establish a personal connection and allow you to address specific business goals or interests.

What to Share

Sponsorship Packets
Provide businesses with comprehensive sponsorship packets that clearly outline the various sponsorship tiers, benefits, and the impact they will have on the community. These packets should include detailed information about the event or fundraiser, your audience, and the exposure opportunities available. Ensure the packet is visually appealing, with graphics or success stories from previous campaigns if possible.

Event/Program Details
Businesses want to know exactly what they’re supporting, so be sure to include specifics about the event or fundraiser, including dates, location, expected attendance, and how the community will be impacted. Whether it's a local festival, a charity run, or a fundraising dinner, make sure the event’s significance is clear and compelling.

Recognition and Exposure Opportunities
Show businesses how they’ll be publicly recognized for their contributions. This could include their logo on event materials, signage, social media shout-outs, or mention in press releases. The more visibility a business gains, the more attractive the sponsorship becomes.

Tips for Speaking to Businesses

Show Benefits – How Will They Be Rewarded?
Businesses want to know how they’ll benefit from sponsoring or fundraising. Clearly outline the rewards: increased brand visibility, positive publicity, networking opportunities, and a direct connection to the community. Offer tangible benefits, such as their logo on event banners, inclusion in marketing materials, or mentions in press releases and social media.

Talk About the Size of the Event or Significance to Community Members
Highlight the potential impact the event or fundraiser will have on the local community. Explain the size and scope of the event, including attendance numbers, media coverage, and any influential community leaders or organizations involved. Let them know their sponsorship will have a direct and lasting impact on the community.

Emphasize the Community Connection
Local businesses are often motivated by the desire to strengthen their ties to the community. Emphasize how their sponsorship will not only benefit them but also improve the lives of local residents. Position the event or fundraiser as an opportunity to showcase their commitment to the local area, building goodwill and long-term loyalty among customers.

Offer Customizable Sponsorship Packages
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to business sponsorships. Offer businesses the ability to tailor their sponsorship packages to meet their needs and budget. This could include offering tiered levels of sponsorship, such as platinum, gold, and silver, with corresponding benefits at each level.

Leverage Testimonials and Success Stories
Share stories of previous successful sponsorships and how businesses benefited from participating. Include testimonials from business owners or community leaders who can speak to the value of supporting your cause. Real-life success stories build credibility and make businesses more likely to join.

Highlight Networking Opportunities
Many businesses are motivated by the opportunity to network with other local organizations. Promote the networking opportunities at your events, such as exclusive sponsor receptions or networking luncheons. Highlight how sponsoring your event provides them access to other business owners, community leaders, and potential customers.

Promoting sponsorship and fundraising opportunities to local businesses involves clear communication about the mutual benefits of supporting your cause. By using a combination of online and offline channels like your website, social media, physical promotion at local spaces, and direct outreach, you can effectively connect with businesses. Highlight the community impact, recognition opportunities, and long-term benefits to help motivate them to participate. When businesses see how their involvement will positively impact both their brand and the community, they’re more likely to engage and become long-term supporters.