Our case studies are inspiring examples of culture organisations finding their perfect business business sponsors and working together to bring their ideas and ambitions to fruition. They are also clear and compelling examples of how sponsoring culture results in projects and activities that make a positive impact on our communities and our country as a whole.
The following tips are drawn from our Culture & Business Scotland Skills Training sessions on business sponsorship.
Businesses are interested in sponsoring culture organisations – and projects or activities – with values that match or enhance their own. Make these critical areas of mutual interest clear in your approach to a prospective business sponsor. In your application for match funding, this will help to demonstrate the strength of your proposed partnership.
Ensure that your business sponsor will receive a range of clearly defined benefits that reflect the value of their sponsorship and provide a worthwhile return on their money. Reasons for business organisations to sponsor culture projects and activities include:
Agree the scope of benefits you can offer your business sponsor in return for their investment and draw up a sponsorship package, reflecting the benefits (see above) that they are most interested in. For example, your sponsorship package might include:
Ensure that the benefits you offer to your business sponsor cost less to provide than the income you receive, and remember to build in the cost of servicing and evaluation your sponsorship.