Sponsorships used to be more like charitable gifts with sponsors doing so more to support the non-profit than to benefit themselves.  That has changed dramatically to where sponsorships are now treated as cause-related marketing, being paid out of advertising & marketing budgets rather than gift budgets, and with an expected quid pro quo.   Understanding this paradigm and creating sponsorship opportunities with this in mind in the request presentation is essential to acquiring sponsorships.  Do the work for your prospect. Explain to them as quantitatively as you can how this sponsorship will benefit their business. Don’t expect them to figure it out on their own.  Pretend you are selling them a radio or tv ad. Who will see it and what are their demographics. How many will see it and in what ways?  Explain how these are good prospects that the business wants to create good feelings with by sponsoring your effort. Good Luck!

After yrs in the business industry i have notice of training and it's not about your parents, teacher or on the job training.  The customer is and always will be right.... If this is not your believe !!!!  You have chosen the wrong field of service .  I've said this many times before when you don't own the business you must follow the rules.  Unless of course they came to your home and offered you the job along with a huge package...

I give to every charity that asks for sponsorship. Plus I usually give a gift card to the person asking me to place an ad in their program. My name is out there in my small community. By being involved in all the school/church/charity programs, my name is known. It is good for business. Supporting local activities is the right thing to do.

In addition to wondering about the audience I would reach and the potential cost, I also want to know if there would be a lasting impact. I am always hesitant to do a "one and done" event because it might storm or something could happen that hurts the event. (I have had it happen once, and that was enough.) Thus, I would consider a series of events or something with a longer run.

I have a golf course and a nonprofit that we fund. GPS. For our Golf tournament the course donates the green fee so the expenses are low and the pricing is the lowest. Idea we will volunteer at other charities but only fund GPS. Golf Program in Schools offers it's  in school 5 day program FREE to  kids and schools. Do well in your business so you can do good in your community. tom

How much? What is the event? Why do they need me if it isn't evident from the other two answers. We sponsor a lot of kids sports, when asked by the kids, and help the 4-H/FFA kids. What is in it for us I see someone asking? The knowledge that we are helping the kids do something productive and educational for them, some of whom would not be able to participate without assistant. We get some name recognition but no direct benefit.

It all depends on the cause and if I support it.

Will this event put me in front of enough individuals in my target market to provide an ROI worth my investment of time and money?

We sponsor what helps our community and youth

Don’t heed to profit off of that 

Whom are they trying to help and Why?