How can a 501 (3) (c) non-profit organization for inner city youth get sponsorship?
I have a 501 (3) (c) non-profit organization in the Arts and I mentor inner city at risk youth. I'm trying to get sponsors to help sponsor projects that I've put in place to help get a facility or space to start an after school program in the Arts.
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Sep 16, 2016
You can ask for business plan writers services from companies like http://infocrest.in/ that will help us sponsorship.
Jul 30, 2016
One thing that works well with Businesses that require investors, sponsors, supporters and or any other form of "outside money" is to go even farther with the programs to create ways for them to generate revenue for the company. In fact you may want to look into getting a B Corp status which gives you a non-profit status with for-profit freedoms... B Corp Businesses are called "Socially Responsible Businesses" because even though they make a profit they in turn put it into helping people in some way or another... which your Business is already rooted firmly in.
I say this because I'm an Artist myself so I know all the stigmas that come with it. A lot of people think it's "good" to have a "hobby"..... But don't really see creativity as anything of value in our society.. when it's actually just as Universal as being a doctor because EVERYTHING that exists right now came through various types of Artists at different phases of it's manifestation. Because people overall don't see the Arts as something valuable for us to excel in, it can be a bit more difficult to get support.
So one thing that helps is to make the different programs generate their own revenue somehow and map all that out in your blueprint.... show how you want them to grow and what types of things are needed for that growth and list extra things you plan to do with those items to generate more revenue.
The overall goal is to have a document that allows the potential supporter to be able to rationalize in their own head just what their money could do and see how it can move you forwards. For example, on your profile you speak on how fashion becomes more prominent to pre teens and teens because "acceptance" is determined by appearance. So say you set it up to where the kids ultimately create t-shirt designs that you sell on the web site, and that you eventually want to get a garment printer and a couple heat presses n what you're looking at so far ranges from $4,500-$7,000.... you could have all that outlined and the person looking at it can say to theirself "ok if I gave her $10,000 that would be enough to get the printer and heat presses which shows here would boost their profit per item by this much which means if they sold (blah) amount of shirts they would bring in (blah) amount of money..."..... without you having to stand there n point all that out.
Overall investors and supporters want to see how something is built to be self sustaining... they don't want THEIR SUPPORT to be the core bloodline of the Company where if they stop donating everything shuts down... that would mean all the money being taken in is being spent on "liabilities" rather than assets. Of course that's the core of how a non-profit works even though there's ways around it.... like instead of selling a T-Shirt for $20...... you could take "donations" and if they donate $20 or more they get a "free t-shirt" of their choice as a way to say thanks. Which brings me back to the B-Corp status... you can just sell them outright without having to skirt around technicalities to stay within the guidelines of that status.
So if you already do have ideas for making the activities of this place generate resources by all means start mapping it out on paper, even if it's not something you plan to do "just starting out" STILL put that stuff in there n outline the place you need to be in before you can grow into that phase of things. The more they can see the better they'll be able to rationalize just how useful their resources will be to the mechanism driving the Business. They don't want to invest in "cash gluttons" that just suck up every penny you throw at it and never budge or go anywhere... they need to be able to comfortably see this isn't one of those.
Jul 24, 2016
When I was launching my non-profit organization, I started with writing my business plan via https://www.ogscapital.com/services/nonprofit-business-plan service. This business plan helped me attract sponsors and partners. Unless you have a solid business plan, sponsors will not give you money.
Apr 3, 2014
Hit up major sports in your area. There are football teams and players, and other sports figures that need to have tax write offs for their income. They will donate locally to great causes. When I had my music school in Denver, Shannon Sharpe of the Denver Bronco's sponsored some of my Inner City Children learning music. You want sponsors, go for the big leagues. You will get their support if your programs are viable. It's a tree's forest thing.
Mar 28, 2014
Hi Regina,
As I am based in England and worked a lot with non for profit organisations, I would suggest networking with local business which do a lot of work in the community as part of their corporate social responsibility objectives.
From there, you pitch to them the benefits of being associated with your brand notably the win-win benefits, such as excellent PR.
Mar 27, 2014
You have not mentioned what kind of project related to arts your are going for?
Write in detail.
Mar 26, 2014
The good thing is you have a gripping and stirring story or narrative to build and share with others. 'Risk youth' is a community issue that is felt deeply by a community.
So one way to get some money to carry on the good work is crowdfunding from the community. Getting community members to participate would depend on the pitch of your story and how if not engaged might get the community into trouble.
The next might be is to hold public art exhibitions by the art created by the 'risk youth' under your guidance. This not only pulls in money but also uplifts the esteem of the 'risk youth' -- so necessary for their transformation. When you do a few of such exhibitions, I am sure you would attract more and more sponsors for your good work. Moreover, the sponsors may also get tax benefits for sponsoring your work.
However, the most important step is to think of ways to build an emotionally appealing story that pulls people and organizations to your good work.
Mar 26, 2014
Identify key partnerships - other non-profits who can help connect you to corporate and foundation grants.
Working with other community leaders such as churches and organizations like Elks Lodge can extend your reach by touching others who share similar missions.
The biggest weakness I've seen over the years is that org's try to go it alone and see only the differences with other groups. By seeing what common ground you share, there are synergies that leverage your separate tribes.
Mar 26, 2014
H Regina, First I would be considering what type of sponsorship you are looking for. For instance you could focus on:
1) Space.. A building . Free access for 2-5 hrs on a specific day.
for this you would need to decide on the location, type of building the size and access
2) Materials....... Some arts suppliers may sponsor / donate supplies.
For these things you should approach schools, or even churches that has space of a hall.
3) If you are looking for funding I have always found the local council helpful for small grants. Even so you will need to indicate the need and reason and the benefits that you will provide. Also include the approximate number of people attending and the general council are they come from.
Once you have a plan and structure together it will be a lot easier for companies to decide to support. You can use this for promotion. The other thing I do is to take some activity photos, and produce a simple Power Point presentation. Again you are presenting using a different medium, Plus seeing is more believing, It's more tangible.
P.s I trust that all of your helpers and assistances have working with children clearance, and that you have a copy of them.
Write a best aplication related to sponsors with all your need and forward to all banks/established NGO's/Financial institution's /Chief secretary Govt.,/charitable trusts/etc, . Hope you shall find best support..Thanks