Corporate Sponsorship Crash Course
You and your Campaign Development Manager (CDM) will go into this process in more depth during your Goal Planning #3 meeting!

1. Brainstorm, Brainstorm, BRAINSTORM

• Work with your parent(s)/guardian(s) to brainstorm people you know that work within companies & corporations (they don't have to be the decision-maker but be willing to advocate for you)

• You can put the people you brainstorm into this document that we will use at your Goal Planning 2 meeting!

2. Secure the Meeting 

• The best way to secure a corporate meeting is through a warm introduction -- i.e., a parent, family member, family friend, neighbor, etc. 

• The goal of the initial email/communication is to schedule an in-person meeting if possible. Virtual meetings should be your last option.

• Follow-up is KEY! We will be reaching out to people until they give us a "yes" or "no" answer! On average it takes around 6 contact "touches" to get someone to respond!

3. Prep for Meeting 

• Schedule a call with your LLS CDM -- we will review the presentation and practice together to make sure you feel confident and prepared!

• We will do a mock presentation together during your Goal Planning 3 meeting to so you can see just how easy it is!

• Draft Presentation -- Personalize the Corporate Sponsorship PowerPoint

• Sponsorship Presentation Draft Script -- You and your CDM will work together to personalize along with the Corporate Sponsorship PowerPoint (Under Construction) 

• Research the companies mission statement, clients, corporate giving policy, employee matching gifts program, etc. 

• Research WHO you are meeting with -- Use Google, LinkedIn, etc. to learn their role at the company, other non-profit boards/committees they've served on, etc. 

• Major Key Alert: Incorporate the company's values into your presentation!

4. Day of Meeting 

• Arrive early (in-person or virtually)

• Use an LLS Zoom Background to really look official if it is a virtual meeting.

• Review your notes and presentation prior to your meeting 

• Dress professionally!

• Be confident! Remember...YOU'RE DOING THIS FOR OTHERS, NOT FOR YOURSELF!

5. Presentation and THE ASK

• Ask BIG -- someone will never give you more than you ask for and it is not an insult to ask BIG!

• Don't forget to breathe!

• An LLS staffer will be there with you to run slides and answer any high-level questions!

6. Follow-up and Thank You

• Post Meeting Tips

  • Send a Thank You Email ASAP (within 24 hours of the meeting)

  • Major Key Alert: Follow-up regularly!

  • Attach the Sponsorship Opportunities that you presented (contains more details regarding benefits)

  • You CAN (and should strive to) accept signed sponsorship forms prior to Kick Off!

• In-Kind Sponsorship Opportunities

• Keep Sponsors Engaged 

  • Leave corporate sponsors contacts on your weekly email list 

  • Include their corporate logo (with their permission) on weekly emails and personal fundraising webpage

• Provide LLS's W-9 when requested for tax information

Partnership Experience Sponsorship

Corporate sponsorships, or when a company donates to a non-profit to support its mission and gets recognition benefits in return for that donation, make up a significant portion of Student Visionaries of the Year revenue each year. Sponsorship levels for Student Visionaries of the Year are standardized nationally based on our local Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ranking. Partnership Experience Sponsorships are official LLS Sponsorships and range from $15,000 to $100,000. All candidate teams should strive to secure one partnership experience with the help of the campaign manager. 

Partnership Experiences Packet

Hero Circle Contribution

With your Hero Circle contribution, you will be supporting Honored Heroes like Lorelai (pictured left), and thousands of youth and adults in their fight against blood cancers. This contribution comes with Grand Finale seat entitlements, physical, and virtual recognition. Ad artwork must be received no later than February 23, 2024 to guarantee addition in the virtual 2024 Program Book 

Ad Options: 

• • Hero Circle Contributor, $10,000

    • 5 guest invitations to the Grand Finale Celebration

    • Name featured on Honored Hero Table Signage*

    • Name featured in Pre-Event Scroll

*Specific benefits/activations subject to modification to ensure safety of participants, including patients and survivors.

Hero Circle Commitment Form

Program Book Tribute Ads

When companies are not able to give an official LLS Sponsorship, Program Book Tribute Ads are a great option for a company that is looking for visibility. Program book ads range from $1500 to $5000, and each level is entitled to various levels of recognition in our 2024 Program Book. Ad artwork must be received no later than February 23, 2024 to guarantee addition in the virtual 2024 Program Book. Check out this example 2023 Program Book for ideas

Digital Program Journal Purchase Form

Matching Gifts 

A matching gift is a charitable donation by a corporation that matches an employee's donation to an eligible non-profit organization, most often dollar for dollar. 

Curious to see if a certain employer will match a donation? Check out this list HERE!

Here is a EMAIL TEMPLATE you can use to solicit a matching gift!

Companies and individuals can also match campaigns for a certain time frame during your campaign. Check out our Spark the Match document to "spark" some inspiration for your corporate or personal asks lists!

In-Kind Sponsorships

In-kind Donations are particularly helpful in helping the St. Louis team offset the cost of expenses related to grand finale. Businesses that provide an in-kind donation will be recognized at the Grand Finale Celebration, where over 500+ people will be in attendance, and in our 2024 Program Book. In-kind donations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Please reach out to staff if there are other larger in-kind opportunities that could help us save on cost, i.e. venues, production companies, catering, etc. 

In-Kind Sponsorship Opportunities