Partnerships

__**Partnerships**__ The team owe thanks to Bakers Delight Strath Village for their generous donation for the students' healthy lunch on the day, it was greatly appreciated and enjoyed!

In order to co-ordinate successful partnerships in the community for your activity, successful communication is a must! Most of the time this will begin with a letter to the business or organisation requesting sponsorship. These can be difficult to format, or to decide how to say things, so here are some guidelines and a sample format to get you going.

1. Choose relevant companies to your cause. 2. Research! 3. Contacts. 4. Know your stuff. 5. Over deliver on your side of the bargain. 6. Pictures.
 * This can depend on what they sell eg. food, sporting equipment, clothing etc.
 * Could also be chosen because of their location, for instance if they are located next to the sporting ground or school.
 * The owners of the company may be prominent members of the society, or it may be a popular business in the community.
 * Get to know the business a little. What do they do? How do they advertise themselves in the community? Who are the key people in the company?
 * If you know someone who can help to get your foot in the door, use them!
 * Be friendly, professional and businesslike.
 * Know exactly what your organisation is after and be specific about what you are asking for.
 * What does this sponsorship mean to you and your sponsor?
 * Be prepared to accept and/ or have ready a lower amount than you originally ask for. Any help is good help!
 * Update your sponsor regularly, keep them involved in the process.
 * Sponsors will like to know where their money went, send them pictures of how you've used their sponsorship.

Below is a sample letter of request for sponsorship. In all the bold areas is where you include your own information and make it your own! Remember, if your organisation has brochures they can include, any information is great, as well as if your organisation has a letterhead, it's a good idea to use it!

Dear ______________,

We are looking for a successful company to partner with that has a heart for the development [**and the education**] of our [**your organisation name here**]. We see these qualities in your company, and we invite you to join [ **your orgnisation**] in our mission to [**insert mission here, i.e. educate the youth of our community in health and nutrition**]. As an [**your organization**] Sponsor you will be part of a [**insert the benefit the potential sponsor would receive; i.e. national advertising campaign where your company will attain recognition across the country for your commitment to and aid in our mission.**]

[**Describe the benefit in full detail, along with how your organization will ensure this initiative**]

Through your sponsorship, you will [**discuss other benefits to the potential sponsor, ie. will gain access to this large, hard to reach target market.**] [**Your organization's**] Sponsors will be acknowledged as the trusted and recommended expert in their industry through [**state the ways this potential sponsor will gain recognition throughout the community as being a generous sponsor, i.e. radio advertisements, websites, local newspaper, etc.**]

[**Describe what your organization does, it’s mission and goals in greater detail; i.e. Through our Youth After School Programs and our newly-written curriculum, Save the Youth, Inc. is committed to transforming our community into a safer, highly educated environment. Together, [Insert Sponsor Name] and Save the Youth, Inc. can empower the young minds of our city by revitalizing the honest values and the high standards that this town was founded on.**]

We look forward to a partnership with you and with your company. Our joint initiative will ... [**final comment on how the partnership will make a difference; i.e make a lasting impact on the lives of our citizens and will ensure a brighter future for all.**]

Respectfully, [**insert name here**i]
 * [insert contact details here also]**


 * Resources:**

Better Fundraising Ideas. //Sample sponsorship request letter.// Available at: http://www.better-fundraising-ideas.com/sample-sponsorship-letter.html

Docstoc Professional Documents, //Sample sponsorship request letter//. Available at: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/4233/Sample-Sponsorship-Request-Letter