If you are planning to have an event, then you know that finding sponsors is one of the most critical yet confusing phases that you may face. But knowing how to find sponsors for an event may be simpler than you think, especially if you have a structured guide that outlines everything that needs to be done.
This is where our guide on finding an event sponsor comes in where we will discuss everything from the importance of sponsors to the actionable tips you can use to make conversion easier. So, without any further ado, let us explore the best ways to find sponsors and how to convince them to become your strategic partner.
Why Sponsors Are Essential for Some Events?
Every successful event has many elements that go into making them special. Every successful event has many elements that go into making them special. Using an event planning checklist can help ensure none of those essentials are missed. Usually, these elements are expensive, and the organizers may not always have the funds necessary to make it happen. This is especially the case for non-profit or charity events where sponsors can play a pivotal role in making the event possible.
Typically, sponsors donate funds to the events for exposure and advertising opportunities or to support a cause they believe in. Knowing the difference sponsors can make, you would want to partner up with them to make your event better. To do this, you can follow the top 10 ways to find event sponsors given below, to make your journey of finding sponsors a lot easier.
Top 10 Easy and Innovative Ways To Find Event Sponsors
In our list of the best ways to find a sponsor for your event, we have featured ways that range from using digital platforms to networking in person to give you an assortment of strategies. Based on these options, you can find the strategy that best suits your style and get started on finding sponsors for your event.
1. Scour Social Media Accounts
An essential step to finding event sponsors in 2025 is to scour the social media accounts of prolific sponsors in your area. When scouring social media accounts for potential sponsors, start by identifying and following companies that align with your event’s theme, audience, and values across platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and Facebook.
Pay special attention to brands actively engaging in event sponsorships by searching relevant hashtags like #eventsponsorship, #sponsoredevents, or industry-specific tags. Study their posting patterns to understand which types of events they typically sponsor and how they promote these partnerships.
2. Research Sponsors for Similar Past Events
If your event appeals to a particular audience, then you should look up past events with the same target audience to see which sponsors were featured. When you discover these sponsors, you can investigate the kind of benefits they were given and see their preferences in sponsorship deals.
After collecting all of this historical data, you can move on to creating your pitch for your event and send it to them. Given the history of this sponsor, you can be fairly confident that they will accept your proposal if you have done your research.
3. Network with Other Event Planners
One of the fastest ways to find hidden sponsors is to network with other event planners and ask for their counsel on finding sponsors for your event. Upon having this conversation with multiple peers, you can potentially find businesses that would be more than happy to be your partner and fund your event.
This method not only helps you with the discovery of opportunities, but you can also ask for advice on dealing with the newly discovered sponsors. Overall, using your networking skills in this manner is highly encouraged due to its simplicity and speed in finding patrons for your event.
4. Promote Your Event Online
Promoting your event online significantly opens up the possibility for discovery. This transforms your sponsorship strategy from relying on outbound lead generation to getting inbound inquiries. You can promote your event on your website and optimise the page for SEO or use social media, but the primary objective will be to increase your event’s visibility.
Chances are that businesses and individuals will stumble upon the details of your event and volunteer as a potential sponsor. This method of getting sponsorships will test your capabilities in creating viral content, but it will stand as a long-term avenue to get sponsors for current and future events.
5. Attend Industry-Specific Events
Immersing yourself in industry events provides unparalleled opportunities to connect with potential sponsors face-to-face and understand their sponsorship priorities. When attending trade shows and conferences, focus on visiting exhibitor booths of companies that align with your event’s objectives.
Take time to understand their marketing goals and partnership preferences to schedule meetings with decision-makers who are present at these events. Use professional digital marketing services for events to boost visibility and registrations. Use informal networking opportunities during social hours to build genuine relationships with brand representatives who could become future sponsors.
6. Explore Sponsorship Platforms
In the digital age, there are plenty of dedicated platforms that enable businesses to find events where they may be able to market their products. If you have posted about your event on such platforms, you may be able to connect with potential sponsors directly rather than using complicated conversion and discovery tactics.
This rapidly accelerates the time that it takes to arrive at the negotiation phase, as all of the formalities of presenting sponsorship proposals are dealt with in advance. Suffice it to say, these sponsorship platforms do have the advantage of finding sponsors right away, the cost of dealing with competition from other event organisers.
7. Leverage Existing Partnerships
If you have had any sponsors in the past or have relationships with businesses or suppliers, then it is a great idea to reach out to them with a sponsorship proposal. Since you have had interaction with these businesses before, the trust is already pre-established and thus will give you an easier time in convincing them to become a sponsor.
Usually, you will have to tell them about the benefits they will incur, such as new marketing opportunities,s to help them understand why they should give you any funding. All in all, reconnecting with the individuals that you have worked with in the past is one of the easiest ways to help your event get new sponsors. Since you have had interaction with these businesses before, the trust is already pre-established and thus will give you an easier time — especially when using a corporate event planning checklist.
8. Contact Industry-Related Businesses
Industry-related businesses are companies that sell products that are closely aligned with the event that you will be conducting. For example, an industry-related business for a food fest might be a condiment brand. Finding industry-related businesses first will increase your chances of finding a sponsorship deal due to the mutual interest.
Such sponsors can not only help you financially, but they can also provide products that may be helpful in your event. This is why they are considered high-value sponsors and are usually sought after by event planners and individuals looking for funding.
9. Explore Government and Institution Grants
Based on your local area, the regional governments may have exclusive schemes or grants that you could use to fund your event. This is especially true in the case of charitable events that have the goal of social upliftment for the needy. Usually, local government and municipal corporations have such grants listed on their website, which you can explore.
You can also visit local municipal offices to enquire about any possible funding opportunities that they may have for your specific event. In this method, all you have to do is ensure that your event is tightly aligned with a goal that the local government is looking to achieve like tourism or economic advancement.
10. Monitor Company Launch Calendars
If you have a list of companies that are likely to sponsor your event, you might want to keep an eye out for their launch calendars for new products. This is because it opens up new proposal opportunities where you can present the advertising opportunity they will have for their new product at your event.
Such a dynamic proposal shows your commitment to having the business as a sponsor and appeals to their interest in garnering attention for their new product. Sponsors often resonate more with strong corporate event theme concepts that reflect their values and target audience. Thus, making an outreach with this strategy has a high chance of conversion for getting a business onboard with a sponsorship deal.
How to Communicate with Potential Event Sponsors to Fund Your Event?
If you have locked on to a list of potential event sponsors, then you will need some interaction tips to ensure effective communication. This is why we present you with some tips that outline how you can increase your chances of creating a better impression
1. Schedule In-person Interactions
In-person interactions with potential sponsors create valuable opportunities for meaningful relationship building and immediate feedback that digital communication often lacks. These personal encounters allow you to pick up on subtle nonverbal cues and adjust your pitch accordingly, making the conversation more dynamic and effective.
2. Use Data to State Why They Should Sponsor Your Event
When approaching potential sponsors, leverage concrete data and metrics to build a compelling case for their investment in your event. Present detailed demographic information about your attendees, including age ranges, income levels, and industry sectors represented. Do this while backing these statistics with attendance figures from past events or market research for new ones.
3. Provide Special Perks for Event Sponsors
Offering exclusive perks and benefits to event sponsors creates compelling value propositions beyond standard logo placement and brand recognition. Consider offering sponsored speaking opportunities, where they showcase their expertise or create year-round engagement opportunities by providing access to attendee data analytics, exclusive industry reports, or early bird registration for future events. While sponsorship helps financially, don’t overlook other aspects—learn how to plan a corporate event from start to finish.
Want to Secure the Perfect Sponsors for Your Event?
Explore top vendors specialising in corporate gifting, event branding, and expert event planners on EventBazaar.com to boost your sponsorship opportunities and maximise your event’s reach.
Simplify Finding Event Sponsors With Our Actionable Guide
As you witnessed, finding sponsors can be achieved through a simple strategic plan that capitalizes on your networking skills and outreach plans. In our guide on the ways to find event sponsors, it is evident that there are a whole host of approaches that you can utilize based on your preferences and interaction styles.
As always, the utility of digital platforms has been shown where you can use platforms such as EventBazaar.com to accelerate your journey of finding event sponsors. Here, you can connect with hundreds of business owners to explore new possibilities for sponsorship or products and services.
FAQs
What should I do if the event sponsor does not cover enough costs?
The things you could do to bridge the gap in funding are as follows:
- Reach out to additional sponsors and offer smaller sponsorship tiers
- Explore cost-cutting measures without impacting event quality
- Negotiate with existing vendors to reduce costs
- Lookout for local government grants or schemes
- Seek crowdfunding for your event
These methods of adjusting the cost of the event can be a lifesaver if you are running short on funds at the last minute.
What is the best way to contact a sponsor?
The best way to contact a potential sponsor is through a strategic multi-channel approach. Start with a personalized email that briefly outlines your event and its value, then follow up with a phone call or LinkedIn message a few days later. Always research the right contact person within the organization and try to secure warm introductions through mutual connections whenever possible.
Are there any specific perks that appeal to potential sponsors?
Yes – VIP access areas, speaking opportunities, and exclusive networking sessions particularly appeal to sponsors. They also value branded content opportunities, first access to attendee data, and dedicated meeting spaces at the event. Premium positioning for logo placement, exclusive social media features, and opportunities to showcase products or workshops are highly attractive perks that drive sponsorship decisions, too.