Good companies to approach for sponsorship?

[punkypossum]

Just wondering if anybody got any ideas - I'm struggling to even meet the minimum amount for Amsterdame sponsorship this year, so I'm thinking the best option to come to my rescue will be a company. The one I work for is umphing and aahing, so not sure what will happen, I've tried approaching all the online bike companies (CrC, Wiggle, etc), most of them last year, the rest this year and never heard anything back. Tried a few local businesses as well as the housing association I live with, my bank and even Jordan's cereals as I live off their cereal bars on rides. Some have responded to say that unfortunately they can't help, from others I have heard nothing.

Has anybody had any experience with generous companies that might be worth trying? I need some form of result and soon - only about 40 sleeps to go!

Any tips welcome!!!!

 

[Craz]

Jana,

My tip is to approach smaller, local companies. The larger ones always get thousands of requests a year (that's probably a massive under-estimate!) and almost always refuse help or simply offer a very small discount voucher.

We're not asking for the earth and as such, smaller companies can often get some very good publicity for as little as £50-£100 and also get the feel-good factor for doing something worthwhile (and if necessary can claim tax relief if we get a receipt for them from the charity!)

Craz.

 

[Dave5N]

Have you asked your employer?

 

[punkypossum]

Hmm...yeah...the smaller ones are an idea... I sort of avoided most of them thinking their budget will be too small, but yes, I'll give them a go.

And yes, I have asked my employer, they might match fund me for up to £250, but they tell everybody this - the small print states provided the budget for the year has not been used up. I know of at least 4 people just within the last week that have been promised the same thing, but nobody knows how big the budget is and if it has already been used, so I'd rather not bank on that. Also, as I would like to have the £250 first, so at least if it does materialise, I can make the most of the match funding on offer!

 

[Noodley]

Hmm...yeah...the smaller ones are an idea... I sort of avoided most of them thinking their budget will be too small, but yes, I'll give them a go.

When I had my business I used to get requests all the time from people who thought 'local businesses' would help. This was despite the fact that the large companies were driving small businesses out of the market...yet the large businesses were not viewed as 'local' nor as being responsible for local issues so they were not approached. I got a real hard time from some people because I said no. Yet they had no idea of my circumstances.

I tried as much as I could to support people and clubs etc...but I would advise against trying small businesses. Especially now.

Target the big businesses that suck everyone dry rather than the small people. But that's not really how charities work.

<sorry rant mode on>

 

[dellzeqq]

internet betting companies. Seriously. Offer them your shirt. As in getting one printed by Impsport, or whoever.

 

[asterix]

Try the banks. They are feeling very unloved at the moment and might feel that showing their support for charity is a good idea. They have plenty of money, it's our money but they have got it.

The downside is that you will have to associate yourself with unpopular organisations..

 

[punkypossum]

I have tried the banks - they clearly don't feel unloved enough!

Not quite sure what exactly the betting company plan is, please elaborate!

And yes, boots might be worth trying...Part of my problem with companies that are too local is that advertising in another county will be pretty pointless to them...

 

[buggi]

how much have you got to go? how big is the company you work for?

have you thought about asking local businesses to donate a prize for a raffle instead? like Boots may donate some end of line toiletries, try the Teddy bear factory etc, Toys R us, or the local restuarant may give you voucher for a meal for two. we did this at work for a macmillan coffee morning, Boots were very accommodating. you can also ask people to bring in unwanted christmas pressies for it. use the prizes for a raffle or a tombola or play "name the teddy".

you can even buy the teddy if there is enough people at work and just put the profit in after you've taken the cash back out. so teddy costs 20 quid, you have 50 names, £1 pound each, winner gets teddy and you get £30 quid profit. or charge 2 quid if the teddy is big.

what about a prize for guessing the weight of your bike? or buy a jar of sweets and people have to guess how many are in there.

ask the charity if they have pin badges you can sell (mine gave me boxes of 50 for free)

get your brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews to do a charity car wash.

get your junk together and do a car boot sale

or sell sexual favours.

 

[buggi]

ps ask your company if they will match your fundraising, rather than just ask if they will sponsor you.

and contact the local newspaper and get yourself in it.

 

[Noodley]

or sell sexual favours.

This may be your best option.


Without wanting to be a killjoy, it just confirms my dislike of charity events where pressure is put on well-meaning people to attain certain levels.

 

[buggi]

i'm finding it harder this year too punky. thankfully i have matchgiving at work, but i'm still down on my target which was supposed to be in today. oops. i will make it but they will have to wait another week.

 

[punkypossum]

This may be your best option.


Without wanting to be a killjoy, it just confirms my dislike of charity events where pressure is put on well-meaning people to attain certain levels.

Sounds like the easiest option as well! I'll get myself down to a street corner!

Our minimum amount is actually really small - I think it was put in place more because of loads of people doing the ride last year without raising anything. They don't expect a thousand pounds or anything like that from us, so I'm not worried in that respect!

 

[Noodley]

My take on it is as follows...last year I was looking at cycling challenges and found one which could have involved a charity. It meant raising a certain amount of money and I looked at it and thought 'well, if I was to ride it on my own as a challenge I'd have to pay that amount or more' and decided that if I was ever to do any charity event I would fork out the minimum from my own pocket...then if I got anything else it would be an extra benefit.

Not sure if that make sense.

 

[Dave5N]

Sounds like the easiest option as well! I'll get myself down to a street corner!

AHem