Sponsorship
Certain companies may like to work with your College to advertise themselves to a target audience. This can be really beneficial, if you get a good company and a good deal. In return for your College advertising them by, for example, displaying their logo on your merchandise, they’ll support you financially.
There are a few steps that go into entering a sponsorship agreement, and we can support you all the way.
Identifying Sponsorship
Your College is your brand, so it’s important to understand which companies may be interested in working with you. Look for companies or brands which have the same values and objectives as you, or national bodies which are linked to your group. Some companies may want to link with you for graduate recruitment purposes. You can look for sponsors at careers fairs, via online research, by canvassing around town, or using your contacts. You can also create a sponsorship pack to use in your search (see below).
Creating a Sponsorship Pack
A Sponsorship Pack is a document which you can give to companies to provide important information about your College and what you’d like out of the deal. Here’s a rough guideline:
What your College is about and what you do (include detailed figures)
Highlight sponsorship opportunities for events
Outline why they should pick you over another group
What the company would gain from sponsorship of your College (publicity, reaching to a student audience of potentially thousands etc. see below)
Highlight your key information and unique nature
How much you are expecting from the company (workshops, space, commitment)
Remember this doesn’t just have to be a financial transaction
How much will this cost the company (explain where the money will go)
Don’t be unrealistic; expect to barter
Your contact details
York SU’s Advertising team can support you in the creation of your Sponsorship Pack. Email advertising@yorksu.org if you’d like some help.
Sponsorship Agreements
So you’ve secured sponsorship - brilliant! The next stage is to fill in a Sponsorship Agreement Form. This outlines what the company will do for you and what you will do for them in return, and is signed by you, the company, and York SU. It’s invaluable if they’re ever difficult in keeping their side of the bargain. Once both you and the company have filled out the form, hand it into the York SU Finance Office who will get the agreement signed off. Once the agreement has been accepted by all parties, you’ll then need to ask York SU Finance to create an invoice for the company to pay you. Do not accept cash as sponsorship.
Prohibited Sponsors
There are a few companies that you cannot enter into a Sponsorship Agreement with due to York SU’s own sponsorship deals which are already in place. As a York SU member you benefit from these deals, so we can’t allow you to compete with them. Here’s the list:
Taxi Companies
York SU and Colleges are sponsored by Streamline
Insurance Companies
York SU are sponsored by Endsleigh
Pizza Delivery Companies (inc Deliveroo, Just Eat, etc.)
York SU are sponsored by Domino’s
Bus Companies
York SU are sponsored by First
Club nights that conflict with York SU official nights
York SU and Colleges are sponsored by York Parties
Gyms
York SU are sponsored by York Sport Village
