How to Get Sponsors for an Event
A practical walkthrough for finding, approaching and securing business sponsors for any kind of event.
Start from what sponsors actually buy
Sponsors fund access to an audience and alignment with a cause. Before you reach out, get clear on who attends your event, why they care and what a business would gain by being seen alongside it. Numbers matter, but so does context — a passionate crowd of 400 can be more valuable to the right sponsor than a disinterested crowd of 4,000.
Build a package before you ask
Businesses rarely have time to design their own sponsorship. Create a small number of clear tiers (commonly three to five) with defined prices and concrete benefits. Use the SponsorRally package builder to turn your event details into fair, editable tiers you can share as a single page or PDF.
Make a warm, specific ask
Lead with why this event fits this business. Reference their brand, your shared audience and the package you think fits. Keep the first message short and end with a clear next step — usually a link to your public sponsor page.
Follow up once or twice, then move on
A polite follow-up can improve the likelihood of a response, so do not stop after the first note. Wait five to seven business days, restate the value and the deadline, and keep the door open. If there is no answer after a second nudge, save the business for next year.