Sponsorship - Same old question

[JTTUCK]

I am sure the question of sponsorship gets asked all the time. In fact I know it does because I have actually searched the site. However, in this case I am hoping my question is slightly different.

I am the director of a nonprofit organization which works with teens. One of the things we do with the teens is we take them out to play paintball (it’s my sport of choice). Since we are working with teens that come from low income homes we heavily subsidize (if not entirely cover) the cost of their play. This has gone over so well we had groups of teens pushing us to help them put teams together. The good news is we have been pretty successful in doing this and our organization has fielded a team. So far I have been successful in finding sponsors outside of the industry who are helping with costs (paint, field fees, etc). With some of the support I went out and bought a huge load of 2006 4 Player WDP jerseys to outfit the team (again my choice because it is my marker of choice). In the tournaments they have played in they have had to use borrowed equipment (markers and masks) donated by a local field. This is where my question comes in. How would one go about getting sponsorship from WDP (or any marker manufacturer for that matter)? I understand that having resume is very important, but keep in mind they have been competing with rental guns. They are very thankful to be able to use the markers, but let’s be honest what chance does blowback rentals have against some of those electronic bad boys. I am hoping someone who is in the know can point me in the right direction. In truth a couple members of our staff have markers which we would be willing to lend to the teens, so really they could get by with 5 markers (ya we believe in reuse and recycle). If anyone has any information or would like more information from me please feel free to PM me. Thanks.

Jason

[Eclipse363]

Here is a very good two part article on sponsorship
http://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/hookups/
http://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/hookups/index2.shtml

another one that isnt too bad
http://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/sponsorship.shtml

I would write a formal email to afew of the major gun manufaturers and ask for some help or even just their advise.

[WDPsalesEAST]

Jason,

Good evening. Where are you located (state)? I'm interested and learning more and see what we can work out for you in terms of a 5 or 7-man marker sponsorship package. I can be reached via email at sales@wdpsaleseast.tv or via PM on the forums.

Thanks!

[for2nato]

also remember that you are a non profit organization that works with teens. this is a great reference for a resume. it may not be about a "winning team". that is a far as tourney champs may go. but you are definitely working with a winning team. companies like the publicity that goes with working with charities. plus since they are donating to a non profit, the tax break is better too. its a win win for the both of you. i recomend a resume of the activities you are offering to the youth. and of the programs you are trying to put together. then submit like any other team would. hope this helps.
good luck!

[Talon]

^Agreed with all posts above. What you are doing sounds amazing and I really hope it works out for you.

Get in touch with WDPsalesEAST, it sounds like he can help.

[p8ntballerff]

For2nato is right, my team helps with a lot of charities and helps the community as much as possible and it has helped us with rounding up a couple good sponsorships. I also just wanted to take the chance to congratulate you on the work you are doing. I hope everything works out for you and the team.

[JTTUCK]

Thank you guys so very much. You don't know how much help you have been. I really appreciate all your help. I received some really good advice. If you have any more suggestions I am all ears. You have been very helpful.

Jason

P.s. WDP Sales East - I will PM you with all our information ASAP. Thank you for your consideration.

[JTTUCK]

For2nato is right, my team helps with a lot of charities and helps the community as much as possible and it has helped us with rounding up a couple good sponsorships. I also just wanted to take the chance to congratulate you on the work you are doing. I hope everything works out for you and the team.

Thanks P8ntballerff. Your congratulations mean a lot. We too get out in the community quite a bit. One of the many things we did this past fall was plant over 250 trees at a care home. Took a while, but the kids had a blast doing it. Played some ball afterwards, so that made the work all that more exciting. Take care.

Jason

[JTTUCK]

We have put together a package which we can send potential sponsors, and the Teens have been busy putting together a web page for the team. I am quite impressed with their work; they have done a pretty good. I will post a link to the site (for those who are curious) once they have got all the bugs out. Again, I just want to thank everyone for their helpful advice. We will keep our fingers crossed.

Jason

[Presto333]

Don't know if you tried yet, but a good idea would be to talk to non-paintball business' in your area. Such as grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Which can contribute money to the team for things like equipment and tournament entry. And since it's a non-profit organization that your doing this for, they can donate knowing they get the exposure and the tax write-off. Win/win situation for the sponsor and the team.

[JTTUCK]

Don't know if you tried yet, but a good idea would be to talk to non-paintball business' in your area. Such as grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Which can contribute money to the team for things like equipment and tournament entry. And since it's a non-profit organization that your doing this for, they can donate knowing they get the exposure and the tax write-off. Win/win situation for the sponsor and the team.

Way ahead of you. We have three non-paintball related sponsors so far. They came together so nicely (and quickly) it surprised me. Their donations are helping to pay for paint, jerseys, and tournament fees. Like you said the tax write-off and exposure they will get was the big selling point. We are currently able to give charitable receipts to Canadian residents, and very soon we should be able to do the same for the US. That may help us when it comes to approaching paintball related companies. Fingers crossed.

Jason

[JDemonpbt]

Another good point you might want to add in your resume for your team, to potential sponsors, is that with all the Non-paintball support your getting. This is exposure of the sport to help grow the sport. Think about it, if lets say Coca Cola (Which has nothing to do with paintball) sees you help teens via paintball, they might start thinking about the marketing in the Paintball community, which then could reflect to people knowing about paintball and thus grow the sport. Paintball sponsors will want to sponsor you for just that reason, plus it will help them sell thier products. For my example w/ Coca Cola, lets say WDP then see's that Coca Cola is making a commercial of a guy playing paintball, and then drinking a Coke, they (WDP) will "hook Up" the guy in said commercial w/ an Angel to be playing with. That way all the people who see the commercial will want to buy an Angel to play paintball with. Like other people have said, WIN/WIN.
Oh, BTW I too think its GREAT what your doing for these teens, and keep up the good work. It will pay off for you in the end. Kudos.

[JTTUCK]

Well, the teens came through with the site. I am proud of them, it was their first try and they were learning as they went along. Please feel free to take a look at it with a critical eye and let me know what you think. The URL is www.L41.ca/Tribe.php (http://www.L41.ca/Tribe.php)

I took everyone’s advice and fashioned a letter for all potential sponsors. When you go to the site you can find it when you click on the “Become a Tribe Sponsor” link. Feel free to let me know what your thoughts are. You have all been a tremendous help and I really appreciate it. I look forward to hearing what you all think. Take care.



Oh, BTW I too think its GREAT what your doing for these teens, and keep up the good work. It will pay off for you in the end. Kudos.

Thanks for the vote of confidence JD.

Jason