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Here are some thoughts on how to approach and what to say to corporate sponsors - please always review your plan/approach with your local staff to make sure it is consistent with local policy:

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KEY PREWORK - Make sure that you have put together a Corporate Sponsorship Brochure that you can share with them… You can see some examples of what they contain at:

http://www.acsrelay.org/Darn_Good_Ideas/11-Corporate_Sponsorship_Brochure_Examples.doc

A brochure/corporate sponsorship packet should include

• Background on the event
• Sponsorship benefits
• Infomation from last year's event (program, etc.)
• A Relay For Life “gift” (give them previous year t-shirts, etc.)

Either call or visit the potential sponsor.. If you call, your goal is to get a visit… When you impromptu visit, you want to get them interested.!

Here is what you can cover with them:

1. Tell them who you are and that you are a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Survivors are often great “cold callers” as they have a natual “in” to explain their involvement.

2. Provide background on Relay For Life (having survivors call is a particularly effective way!)

It is my pleasure as a cancer survivor to be again involved with the American Cancer Society and its national signature activity, Relay For Life.

Relay For Life is a team based event that brings together neighbors, friends, work associates, and families to celebrate those who have survived cancer and remember those we have lost. Last year, relays took place in over 4,000 communities nationwide and raised over $300 Million in funds for cancer research, education and patient services.

Our American Cancer Society Relay For Life event locally will be held _____________.

Relay For Life presents a unique opportunity for your business to be involved in supporting a great cause!

3. Tell them WHY they should be involved

As a corporate sponsor, over 90% of your donation (verify/update this for your local community) will go directly to the American Cancer Society to continue our progress in supporting individuals and families dealing with cancer as well as bringing us closer to a cure! This corporate sponsorship brochure outlines some of the benefits – (TELL THEM WHAT A SPONSOR GETS AT YOUR RELAY – put together a corporate sponsorship brochure – an example is below):

EXAMPLE:

Visionary Sponsor - $10,000
	 Marquee logo on all Relay For Life team t-shirts  Company representative may deliver comments during opening ceremonies of Relay For Life event  Logo ad in all Relay Walk Talk Newsletters  Corporate banner in prominent area at event (you provide)  Six (6) track signs  Exhibit table at your team's campsite  Recognition award for your workplace  Your company’s team registration fee waived  Sponsorship mentioned in pre-event publicity **  Recognition and link to your web site on the Windham Relay web site
Gold Sponsor - $5,000
	 Logo on all Relay For Life team t-shirts  Logo in all Relay Walk Talk Newsletters  Corporate banner at event (you provide)  Three (3) track signs  Appreciation Certificate  Sponsorship mentioned in pre-event publicity **  Recognition and link to your web site on the Windham Relay web site
Bronze Sponsor - $1,000
	 Logo on all Relay For Life team t-shirts  Logo in Relay Walk Talk Newsletters  One (1) track sign  Sponsorship mentioned in pre-event publicity **  Appreciation certificate  Recognition and link to your web site on the Windham Relay web site
Copper Sponsor - $500
	 One (1) track sign  Recognition included at event  Appreciation certificate  Recognition and link to your web site on the Windham Relay web site
Track Sign - $150
	 An individual sign will be placed along the Relay track bearing  Your name or the name of your company/organization

(The above is an example from the Windam Area Relay For Life - it is good to have the same thing in your Corporate Sponsorship Brochure for your event)

The above level of details gives them an idea of how sponsorship can give them good publicity in your community…. Each event is different, so make sure your event puts together a Corporate Sponsorship Brochure.

4. Not just donations… But also teams!

And… you might also be interested in organizing a team from your business! I urge you to consider organizing a team of 10-15 enthusiastic individuals from your company for this worthwhile event. Our first Team Captain informational meeting will be held on ______________ at ____ PM,. Is there someone in your organization that might be interested in organizing a team that we should talk to?

5. Tell them that you are happy to visit, or come back to talk to people further

I would also be happy to schedule a visit to meet with you to personally to share further information about how to become a part of the Relay For Life tradition in Montgomery County. Thank you in advance for your help and support. Together, we will make significant strides in the fight against cancer!

 

Hope this helps!

Ramesh Moorthy

rflvolunteer@gmail.com