Where to Find Sponsorship and Donations

🎯 The Complete Sponsorship Guide for Schools and Clubs.

Your Guide to Approaching, Winning and Keeping Sponsors

Part 3: 🧲 Finding Sponsors – Where to Look and How to Ask

So, you’ve set your sponsorship goals and have your packages ready to go. Now comes the fun (and sometimes daunting) part: actually finding sponsors.

But don’t worry — your next sponsors may be closer than you think!

🎯 Where to Look

Start With Your Own Community

The easiest and most overlooked place to start is right under your nose.

Parents, carers and grandparents are often small business owners, tradies, or well-connected professionals. Ask your community who they know. Try a post in your Facebook group or school newsletter like:

“We’re looking for local businesses to support our upcoming event through sponsorship or in-kind support. Do you own a business or know someone who might be interested? We'd love to hear from you!”

Also think about:

• Past sponsors

• Families who have donated prizes before

• People who’ve volunteered their professional skills (e.g. electricians, printers, photographers)

📌 TIP: Send out a sponsorship “wish list” with ideas of what you need sponsored (like the animal farm, jumping castle, or first aid tent), and prompt your community to connect you with businesses that could help.

🏪 Think Local

Local businesses often love the exposure and goodwill that comes with sponsoring a school or community event. Try:

• Cafés, bakeries, and restaurants

• Hairdressers, beauticians, and massage therapists

• Real estate agents

• Pharmacies, GPs, dentists, and chiropractors

• Pet shops, groomers, and vets

• Auto shops, garages, and tyre centres

• Sports stores, toy shops, homewares, and garden centres

💡 Real-life tip: One school got their Crazy Hair Stall sponsored by a hairdresser, and their Petting Zoo by a pet supply store!

🧰 Go Beyond the Obvious

• Tradies: Plumbers, electricians, landscapers might provide services or sponsor something cheeky (e.g. the “Brown Level” Portaloo Sponsorship).

• Professionals: Accountants, mortgage brokers, and lawyers can sponsor print costs, PA systems, or help with administrative tasks.

• Media contacts: Local radio stations or papers might offer coverage or prizes.

🧑‍💼 Think Corporates and Grants

Larger companies often have community giving programs. Look for:

• Banks and credit unions

• Retail chains with a local footprint (e.g. Bunnings, Woolworths, Officeworks)

• Government grants or sponsorships via the Australian Sports Foundation

• Local Council community funding

📋 Use a Sponsor Tracking Sheet

Keep a simple spreadsheet to track:

• Business name

• Contact person

• Date of contact

• What you asked for

• Outcome (yes/no/maybe)

• Notes

This prevents duplicate entries and makes follow-up and handover easier.

💡 How Fundraising Whisperer AI Can Help

Try using Fundraising Whisperer AI for:
✅ Brainstorming potential sponsor types for your specific event
✅ Writing social posts or email copy to ask your community for sponsor ideas
✅ Creating a shortlist of target sponsors by category
✅ Drafting phone scripts or email intros for local business outreach

📝 Sample prompt:

“Help me brainstorm 10 potential local sponsors for a school trivia night. We’re seeking both cash sponsors and in-kind donations. Please include businesses that are a good fit for our audience of local families.”

🙋 How to Ask

You’ve written your proposal, polished your packages, and done the groundwork. Now it’s time to ask. The good news? Most sponsors say yes because someone asked them directly.

🎯 Step 1: Choose Your Approach

There’s no one “right” way to ask — use what suits your group, resources, and your sponsor.

✅ Email — Good for initial contact, especially if you attach a flyer or proposal.
✅ Phone Call — More personal, great for follow-ups or warm leads.
✅ In Person — Ideal for local businesses. Take a printed proposal and smile!

📞 Example Scripts

Phone Intro:
“Hi, is this a good time? My name’s Taylor, and I’m with the Sunshine Primary P&C. We’re planning our annual school fete in September, and we’re looking for local businesses to support us as sponsors. I’d love to tell you more — is that okay?”

In Person:
“Hi! I’m from the local [club/school]. We’re running a [fete/trivia night/etc] soon, and we’re inviting local businesses to get involved through sponsorship. Here’s a one-pager — can I tell you about it?”

Follow-up Email:
“Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me. I’ve attached our sponsorship info here — we’d love to have your business involved. Let me know if you have any questions, or if you’d like to grab a quick coffee to chat!”

💬 Handling Objections

Even the best pitch won’t get a “yes” every time. Here’s how to respond confidently:

“We don’t have a budget for that.”
“Totally understand — would an in-kind donation be a better fit? Even a gift voucher would help!”

“We’ve already committed elsewhere.”
“No problem! Would you mind if we stayed in touch for future events?”

“We need to check with the head office.”
“Of course. Can I follow up in a week? I’d be happy to answer any questions.”

🧠 Using Fundraising Whisperer AI to Practise and Polish

Let AI help you rehearse, write, or respond.

Try prompts like:

• “Write a friendly phone script for a parent asking a local café to sponsor the school disco.”

• “Help me respond politely to a sponsor who said they’re not interested this year.”

• “What should I say when a business says they want to sponsor but hasn’t followed up?”

You can even roleplay your pitch or ask for confidence tips for shy volunteers.

✨ Confidence Boosters

• It’s not begging — you’re offering value in return.

• A “no” now might become a “yes” next time.

• You’re doing this for your school, club or community — not for yourself.

• Businesses expect to be asked — and many love to help.

You’ve got this!

📋 Keep Track!

Use a spreadsheet (or AI) to track:

• Who you contacted

• When

• What they said

• What you promised

• What they provided

This helps prevent double-ups, supports follow-ups, and makes next year easier for the new team.