36 | P a g e
Event Planning Resources for GSM Student Leaders
o Where do you have alumni? Look at the alumni online directory, the
LinkedIn Alumni Feature and coordinate with Karim and Lana who work
with alumni.
PLEASE, before contacting any GSM donors or volunteers, discuss your interest
with Lana Watts in advance. Once you begin fundraising, keep records of
interactions with alumni and others and share with GSM Development Office for
continuity.
Logistics of corporate sponsorship
All letters should be formal and always address your letter to a named person
phone up the company and ask who deals with sponsorship/marketing
Show what you can offer the sponsor in return for their investment. Focus on
sponsor recognition, alumni connections, and interactions with students. If there
is an incentive that has value, you will have to discount their donation by the “fair
market value” they will receive from a ticket or other incentive.
Always give a figure of how much sponsorship is required and what it is used for
- state who benefits
Initial letters should be no more than one-page long
A more detailed breakdown of your proposal should be available on request. This
should include: a detailed CV of your own or your organizations RELEVANT
history and achievements; a comprehensive breakdown of all the costs and full
details of what you can offer any potential sponsor
Speak to the GSM Marketing and Communications director to see how you can
contact your local papers/radio stations and ask for help in publicizing your case.
The local paper could print an open letter to potential sponsors. Ensure you are
following UC Davis policy for fund-raising when doing this!
Find possible sponsors through Yellow Pages and your local Chamber of
Commerce.
If any of your fellow clubs/organization on campus have found a sponsor, ask
them for help and advice on how to attract funding
Ask the advice of a local businessperson: they could help point you to a local
company who may be interested, or to an individual who supports your cause
Target companies with a history of sponsorship and/or ties with your mission
(also consider their competitors)
Have one person coordinating all sponsorship proposals - this person should be
available on the phone during working hours or via email
Always follow up your initial contact, either by letter or preferably by phone. Even
if the response is negative, you should still thank them for their time… they may
become a sponsor in the future.
Perseverance is likely to be the key