Updated April 29, 2024
A sponsorship request letter is a letter written, most often by a non-profit, to request financial support for an activity, event, or program. Unlike other donation requests, requests for sponsorship typically offer benefits or rewards for potential sponsors.
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Sponsorship vs. Donation
Unlike a one-time donation, a sponsorship can be the basis for a long-lasting relationship between a corporation and a non-profit. Sponsors also typically receive benefits like advertising space, inclusion in event programming, or free tickets to an event or activity.
Is a Sponsorship Tax Deductible?
A sponsor may be able to deduct part of their sponsorship if they are giving to a qualifying tax-exempt charitable organization. Use the IRS search tool to verify whether an organization is tax-exempt.
However, if the sponsor receives a benefit or reward in exchange for a charitable contribution, they may only deduct the amount of their contribution that exceeds the fair market value of the benefits received.[1]
Recordkeeping Requirements
A sponsor that intends to deduct their charitable contribution must maintain a record of their sponsorship in the form of a bank statement or a written receipt from the organization they are sponsoring. If they received a benefit for their sponsorship, this receipt must describe the benefit and provide a good-faith estimate of its fair market value.[2]
How to Write a Sponsorship Request Letter
- Introduce Yourself and Your Organization
- State Your Request
- Describe the Event and Its Impact
- Explain Why You Want to Partner with the Sponsor
- Describe the Sponsor’s Potential Benefits
- Express Gratitude
Sample
SPONSORSHIP REQUEST LETTER
[SENDER’S NAME]
[SENDER’S STREET ADDRESS]
[SENDER’S CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]
Date: [DATE]
[RECIPIENT’S NAME]
[RECIPIENT’S STREET ADDRESS]
[RECIPIENT’S CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]
RE: SPONSORSHIP REQUEST
Dear [RECIPIENT’S NAME],
My name is [SENDER’S NAME], and I am the [TITLE/ROLE] of [ORGANIZATION’S NAME]. Our mission is to [MISSION STATEMENT]. We primarily focus on [ORGANIZATIONAL FOCUS]. I believe that our efforts in this regard would be tremendously strengthened by your sponsorship.
I am writing to ask you to sponsor [EVENT/ACTIVITY/PROGRAM], which [ORGANIZATION’S NAME] is organizing. This event will take place on [DATE] at [LOCATION], and it will include [EVENT DETAILS]. Through this event, we hope to [EVENT GOALS].
We are seeking sponsorship from you because your organization [RECIPIENT’S ORGANIZATION MISSION]. As our sponsor, you will [SPONSORSHIP DETAILS]. Through this sponsorship, your organization would [DESCRIPTION OF REWARDS/INCENTIVES]. Furthermore, by sponsoring our event, you will [DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT].
Thank you for considering this request. I have attached further information about the details of your sponsorship to this letter. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
_______________________________
Signature
[SENDER’S NAME]
[SENDER’S PHONE NUMBER]
[SENDER’S E-MAIL]