Remember how your child’s eyes shined when they announced they wanted to join the club soccer team in your community? You said yes, and now, you’re one of the primary volunteers, thinking about how to get sponsorships for youth sports.
But as the cost of goods and services rises annually, youth sports teams must continue to cover expenses like new jerseys, updated equipment, and event space rentals. That’s why fundraising is crucial for your team's success—and you might be considering youth sports sponsorships as an effective way to earn money for the team.
In our guide, you'll find four of the best ways to land sponsorships for your youth sports team so you can raise the funds you need to enhance your next season.
What are youth sports sponsorships?
At its core, a sports sponsorship for youth teams is a partnership between your program and a company or organization. The sponsor provides financial support to the club while your organization promotes the business. For example, the team may:
- Put the company’s logo on their uniforms
- Place company banners around the playing field
- Mention the business on their website or social media
These promotions can help boost awareness of the business and improve the business’ reputation by showing care for the community. The sponsorship also benefits the team by helping cover the expenses of equipment, uniforms, event spaces, and other fees.
How do you find local or corporate sponsorships for youth sports? Here are four top ways to acquire sponsorships.
1. Reach out to local businesses
Local business owners often enjoy giving back to their community by supporting area sports teams. Often, the company’s owners or employees are parents of children in the sport, making it a personal interest.
Consider writing a donation letter that lets the company know how and why the sponsorship would benefit your team and their business (such as an improved reputation). You could also ask parents working for local businesses to see if their company can make donation-match contributions.
Who else to ask? According to Reddit users, “Kids' parents' companies are where you should start. If any work for big companies, they may have donation matches available, and some companies will donate to nonprofits related to places [where] employees volunteer.”
Finding a business related to your program can be even more beneficial, such as one that sells athletic gear, energy drinks, or gym memberships.
2. Write a youth sports sponsorship letter or pitch deck
Sponsorship letters or pitch decks are often an effective way to share your message with potential sponsors. Try following this general guidance when crafting a letter or packet:
- Write a brief and compelling introduction to your organization’s mission and community impact
- Explain the benefits the business will receive by sponsoring your team
- Share your audience demographics, like age or income, to help the company determine if your audiences align
- Create a compelling call to action with your contact information and a thank you message
You can present the letter or pitch deck in person or via email—just be sure to follow up later.
3. Network with real estate agents
Another way to secure youth sports sponsorships is by contacting real estate agents. Many real estate professionals are small business owners, making them an ideal choice for sponsorships. But that’s not the only reason to reach out. Real estate agents are often willing to sponsor for personal reasons, whether to support a team they were on as a child or one that a family member has recently joined.
As Reddit user u/novahouseandhome points out, “I do it because I care about kids’ sports, and I'm married to a teacher and know the schools need the support,” which is yet another valid reason to sponsor.
In any case, consider opting for more well-established real estate agents, as they’ll likely have a larger budget to work with.
4. Find corporate opportunities
Aside from local businesses, you can also seek sponsorships from national corporations. These include:
While these are some examples of large corporations that sponsor or donate to youth sports, there are plenty of others. Just remember to research their eligibility requirements, as they’re often stricter than local businesses.
Make youth sports fundraising easier with RaiseRight
Securing sponsorships is essential to your youth team’s financial journey—and RaiseRight is here to help you supplement your fundraising efforts. Here’s how our convenient gift card fundraising program works:
- Enroll your sports team in a RaiseRight fundraising program
- Add family, friends, and supporters as participants in your RaiseRight program
- You and your participants can buy physical or eGift cards for hundreds of popular brands, including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Walmart, or Home Depot
- With every gift card purchase, your team will instantly earn funds—up to 20%.
RaiseRight is available year-round with no earning caps, so it’s incredibly easy to raise money during the off-season, too.
Download “The Gift Card Fundraising Playbook” to learn more about RaiseRight. Or, get started today by enrolling for free!
