Do You Know How to Attract Major Sponsors to Your Charity Golf Tournament?

The perfect charity golf event relies on a number of factors all coming together in synergy. The weather should cooperate, players should be relaxed and excited, and everything from registration to scheduling and post-play activities should be planned and set up to run smoothly. One of the keys to ensuring you host a successful charity golf tournament is to work with an efficient tournament manager and committee, and seek assistance from some major sponsors. Sponsorships not only attach familiar names to your tournament, but they bring in money to help make sure the tournament runs smoothly. Landing major sponsors has a trickledown effect as it ultimately creates better prizes, which draws in more players, which brings in more money for your charity. But do you know how to attract major sponsors to your charity golf tournament? Don’t worry, below we’ll share some of the secrets to attracting major sponsors to your charity golf fundraiser.

Search for companies or people with a connection to the charity

The best way to find a major sponsor for a charity golf event is to focus on businesses that have a connection to the group. Most companies won't hesitate to back a tournament if it is something that their organization already sponsors. For example, AT&T and Wal-Mart are big donors to the Special Olympics, are located in some capacity in most towns, and may be more likely to sponsor a charity golf tournament for that cause.

Attract companies that will benefit from the sponsorship

Another way to make the sell easier on your end is to search out companies that will benefit from the sponsorship. Part of the donation can include something like a $10 gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods. Most players are going to spend much more than $10 when they purchase equipment at a sporting goods store, so the sponsors actually earn something from their backing. You can even give away golf balls printed up with a sponsor’s brand, so that they get free advertising to every player in the tournament.

Offer your sponsors the chance to put their name on the tournament

Most tournament committees offer a varying range of sponsorship packages, such as silver, gold, platinum, etc. You can convince a sponsor to dish out some serious money for the event by allowing them to put their name on the tournament for the ultimate sponsorship benefit. Something like the “Harvey's Auto Body Open to Benefit Juvenile Diabetes” is a package that could be sold for a premium price.

Have detailed information available

Some potential sponsors may be hesitant to provide funding, so the best way to calm their worries is by having detailed information available when you make the pitch. Give them numbers about how many players will be in attendance, and how many views they'll receive compared to typical advertising and sponsoring routes.

Don't ignore the little guy

It can be tempting when searching for a major sponsor to go to the largest companies in your town, but try to give small businesses an equal opportunity to donate. Many of these smaller organizations are more community oriented, and thus might be more willing to donate to a local charity. Plus, most can use sponsoring a charity tournament as a tax write-off, so their contribution amount may surprise you. Contributed  by Allison Doyle, AGC