Goody Bag Sponsorships
My husband and I started racing in time trial bike races at the beginning of 2008. Shortly after I began racing, I started researching companies that might want to sponsor me. At 45 years old, I knew I wouldn’t be attracting any million dollar endorsement deals. I was looking for equipment and nutrition sponsorships from companies where I’m already using their products.
Athletic Sponsorships
Just about every company that manufactures athletic equipment, clothing and nutritional supplements offer some level of sponsorship to individual athletes and athletic teams. Individual athletes might start out at a certain discount, then eventually move their way up to being a fully sponsored athlete on the companies amateur or semi-pro team. Most companies want to see if you are actually going to use and promote their product at various events before they will offer a full sponsorship.
Goody Bag Donations
Besides offering individual athlete and team sponsorships, most companies will sponsor specific athletic events for various charity organizations. Although the company may not be able to provide a monetary sponsorship, they are usually more than willing to donate merchandise which can be used to fill the goody bags for your next walking, running or cycling event.
Here are some of the companies that are currently sponsoring me for the 2009 season:
- MotorTabs – electrolyte tablets for your water bottle. I’m a brand evangelist for MotorTabs and I’m listed on their website: MotorTabs Brand Evangelists.
- Fluid – protein recovery drink, available in berry and tropical flavors.
- Action Wipes – grown up wipes, NOT baby wipes.
- Rudy Project – helmets and sunglasses.
- Sock Guy – running, cycling, hiking and walking socks.
- Freestyle – water resistant watches.
- Vetta – cycle computers and lights.
Researching Sponsorship Opportunities
I visit the websites of companies that I’m interested in. They usually have information on how to apply for sponsorship listed on the website. Some companies only accept sponsorship applications at certain times of the year, while others will accept applications year round. If you can’t find information on sponsorship opportunities on a companies website, see if there is a link to a press or media area. You should be able to find the name and email of the individuals that handle public relations and media requests for the company. Send the PR person the details of your event; who, what, why, where, when, and what level of sponsorship you are looking for.
You should be able to build up your relationship with the company over the years, just like an individually sponsored athlete builds a relationship with each company that sponsors them. Over time, what started out as a product donation sponsorship for your goody bags, could eventually lead to a monetary donation for your next athletic event.
Other Companies to Contact
I’m not sponsored by any of the companies listed below, but I have visited their websites, so I know they all offer various levels of athletic sponsorship. Besides goody bag donations, you could contact a company, such as Crank Brothers, to see if they would be willing to donate a pair or two of pedals for your next cycling or triathlon event. The pedals could be used as prizes for the winner of your event.
Many of the charity athletic events I participate in aren’t competitions. There are no prizes given out to the top finishers. The goal is to finish the event while helping to raise funds for the charity organization. However, you could offer various prizes to your top fundraisers for each event. I know I would LOVE to win a pair of Zipp deep dish carbon wheels for my road bike – the set I’m looking at go for around $2,000 per pair!
Crank Brothers – pedals
Kona Endurance – nutritional supplements
Cliff Bar – shot blocks, gel packs, protein bars
Zipp – wheels
Hammer Nutrition – gel packs, recovery drinks, nutritional supplements
Power Bar – gel packs, recovery drinks, protein bars
There are many more companies out there that offer various levels of sponsorship. I am just listing the ones that I have direct experience with. I’d love to hear what companies you’ve worked with that have provided donations for your goody bags or have offered a monetary sponsorship for your charity athletic event.
Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva
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