How Do I Get Sponsors for a Charity Golf Tournament?

Organizing a charity golf tournament is an excellent way to raise funds and awareness for your cause. To raise the most and make your event genuinely impactful, you will likely want to seek the support of corporate and business sponsors. Sponsorships provide a financial backbone for your event while helping attract golfers and creating a memorable experience for attendees.

In this blog, we will explore strategies for attracting sponsors for your charity golf event, provide examples of sponsorship levels and packages, and introduce the benefits of golf tournament software to streamline the process.

Define Your Tournament Objectives and Target Audience

It’s crucial to define your tournament objectives and identify your target audience of golfers before reaching out to potential sponsors. Consider your target audience’s demographics, interests, and values and attempt to align them with golf tournament sponsors who share similar values and objectives.

Next, consider your fundraising goals. How will sponsorship options contribute to them? If you want to raise $100,000, how much do you need to bring in from sponsorships?

Understand Why Businesses Sponsor Charity Events

Understanding and articulating how prospective sponsors will benefit from working with your organization is critical. While everyone likes to help a great cause, companies look for a win-win relationship when investing in your golf tournament fundraiser.

Here are some reasons companies support charity tournaments. Use these as a focal point when selling sponsorships:

• Exposure to and branding awareness with a new target audience
• To invite and entertain clients at the event
• To gain networking opportunities
• To offer a perk to top employees
• Opportunities for team building and employee development
• Tax deductions

Be Organized in Your Approach to Potential Golf Sponsors

There are several steps to a successful sponsorship program that members of your golf tournament planning committee should manage. Follow these guidelines to recruit sponsors.

• Develop a professional corporate sponsor packet with a concise cover letter and message.
• Create sponsorship levels that allow businesses to contribute at various levels, e.g., $500 to $10,000. 
• Determine what your organization will provide in exchange for sponsorship, such as the use of logos on signs, tee shirts, websites, or publicity materials.
• Brainstorm a list of prospective sponsors. Delegate each prospect to a committee member and create a concrete timeline for approaching each prospect.
• Obtain the logos for each sponsor as they sign on. You’ll be thankful that you have them ready when it’s time to post them on your website or print golf tournament materials.
• Remember to thank your sponsors. Mention each sponsor’s contributions at the event and send thank you letters. This may bring them back again for annual events.

Start with Your Network of Supporters

Considering your current supporter base is a great way to start building your sponsorship prospect list. Who on your leadership team is connected to a small business owner? Who in your team of volunteers or friends works for a larger company or corporation that may designate funds for local community projects? Can they help connect you to the person who deals with corporate social responsibility and sponsorships? If your organization already works with vendors or local businesses, this is an excellent opportunity to ask for sponsorship. If you have a board member with a connection to businesses, ask them to open the conversation or introduce your committee members or development staff.

Remember that networks constantly grow and change. Many organizations do a great job of assessing their networks when first constructing sponsorship recruitment and prospecting plans. However, your network will grow as your organization grows and you recruit volunteers and participants. Schedule a second and third assessment of your network, and actively seek out connections that will aid the success of your golf tournament.

Craft an Appealing Sponsorship Proposal

Craft an attractive sponsorship proposal to grab the attention of potential sponsors. Your proposal should outline the event’s purpose, its projected community impact, and the benefits sponsors can gain from supporting your golf tournament. This is an excellent opportunity for the sponsor to be associated with your organization, so make that clear.

Explain exactly how sponsoring your fundraiser will provide value to the businesses you are prospecting. Include various sponsorship opportunities and sponsorship levels, and provide detailed information on the exposure and recognition sponsors can expect. Potential sponsors will want to hear about branding and logo placement opportunities, acknowledgment at the awards ceremony, and website and social media mentions throughout the campaign.

Create Sponsorship Packages and Levels

Sponsorship benefit packages should be clearly defined with common benefits, but don’t be afraid to customize these packages later. If you are working with a company that expresses a desire to be on-site to present its products or services, letting them set up a tent to do just that can make all the difference in how much they are willing to donate.

Differentiate your golf tournament sponsorships by offering unique perks for sponsoring companies. This could include exclusive VIP tables at the course, branding opportunities on golf carts, golf balls and signage, or the chance to host a contest or game within the tournament. Make sure you can tailor the benefits to match the specific goals of potential sponsors.

Example Golf Tournament Sponsorship Levels

Here are some popular golf tournament sponsorship levels and a sample of the included benefits. The amount you can charge for a sponsorship package will depend on your supporter base and how established your tournament is.

Title Sponsor Level – $10,000-$25,00

• The Title Sponsor presents the golf tournament and must have their name and logo on all promotional materials.
• They receive recognition throughout the outing, dinner, and awards ceremony.
• Includes 2 golf foursomes (and offers networking opportunities).
• VIP tables at the awards ceremony.
• Logo placement on golf cart and tee signs.
• Any special opportunity they ask for can be included.

Gold Sponsor Level – $7,500-$10,000

• Company logo and link on website and tournament banners.
• Recognition at the tournament, dinner, and awards ceremony.
• Includes a golf foursome and VIP table at the awards ceremony.

Silver Sponsor Level – $3,500-$5,000

• Company logo and link on website and tournament banners.
• Recognition at tournament, dinner, and awards ceremony.
• Includes golf foursome.

Dinner or Luncheon Sponsor – $2,000-$5,000

• Special signage and recognition at lunch/dinner tables and awards ceremony.
• Company logo and link on the fundraising website.

Hole-in-One or Contest Sponsors – $1000 – $2,000

• Includes the sponsor name and logo on the Hole in One or putting contest tee signage.
• Allow sponsors to include a tent or table at the hole to network and distribute materials.
• Company logo and link on the fundraising website.

Tee or Hole Sponsors – $500 – $1,000

• This is the most accessible sponsorship level, and there are generally up to 18 to sell. Keep the sponsorship ask low here and include the sponsor name and logo on the tee signage at one hole.
• Special holes may also allow the sponsor to hand out materials or sponsor contests.
• Company logo and link on the fundraising website.

In-Kind Sponsors

In-kind sponsors donate goods or services for your tournament. These could include raffle and auction items, beverages, and other services supporting your event. While you likely need to raise money more than anything, the support needed for a successful golf tournament goes beyond financial contributions. In-kind sponsors alleviate the financial burden on tournament organizers and enhance the overall experience for participants.

Identifying Potential Sponsors

Now that you have your sponsorship proposal, it’s time to research potential companies that may be interested in sponsorship opportunities. You will want to have at least one committee member responsible for this important task. Start by leveraging your group’s network of supporters to find connections to potential sponsors.

Next, research and identify potential golf tournament sponsors with a history of supporting charitable causes in your community. Consider local businesses, corporations, and golf equipment manufacturers or those with a vested interest in golf-related events. Look for sponsors who align with your cause and golfer demographic and have the financial capacity to contribute to your event.

Meeting with Potential Sponsors

Do your research before approaching potential sponsors. Personalize your communication for the business and try to find the right contact within the company. Only certain people can decide on event sponsorships, so find out who that person is and arrange a phone call or (better!) an in-person meeting. Then, be prepared to sell with a pitch you have practiced with your team.

• Explain why you believe their partnership would be a great fit for your charity golf tournament and their company.
• Emphasize the sponsor benefits and how their support can positively impact their brand reputation.

Don’t forget to follow up with these decision-makers. They are often busy, and following up with them can make all the difference to your bottom line.

Be Creative and Provide Opportunities for Fun

Start with your sponsor packages and levels above, but think outside the box and find compelling tie-ins for businesses that resonate with their needs and make the event memorable. Here are some fun examples:

• Create a special slogan about health and safety for an insurance company sponsor.
• Invite a local furniture store to set up a 9th-hole rest stop for golfers, where they can showcase some of their best-selling lounge chairs.
• Make up a fun golf tournament contest, allowing a sponsor to participate.

Streamline Sponsorship Management with Golf Tournament Software

Create a dedicated golf tournament website where your group can thank and promote sponsors. Your organization will take online registrations and feature information about the fundraiser and the positive impact made by sponsors here.

Our industry-leading platform streamlines player and sponsor registration with easy payment processing, email communication, and financial tracking. Save time and enhance your golf event’s overall efficiency and professionalism with us.

Create a free account and watch as your tournament raises more money than ever before with our powerful fundraising tools.

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Conclusion on Attracting Sponsors for a Charity Golf Tournament

Securing sponsors for your charity golf outing is critical to organizing a successful and impactful event. By following the strategies outlined above, such as defining your objectives, creating an appealing sponsorship proposal, approaching potential sponsors strategically, and leveraging digital platforms, you can maximize your chances of securing golf tournament sponsors. Additionally, incorporating charity golf tournament software will streamline the sponsorship management process, allowing you to focus on creating a memorable experience and raising more money.

Free Golf Tournament Planning Guide

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From building the foundations of your planning committee to sponsorship acquisition and day of event logistics, we walk you through the golf tournament planning process in ten steps.

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