resources

Grand County Characters (GCC) Sponsorship Program

I. This procedure is intended to be a guideline for obtaining sponsors. Each of our sponsors may find different pieces of these packages more valuable to them than others. It is acceptable to plan unique packages of benefits for each sponsor, so long as the value remains about the same.

A. We are looking for both event sponsors and ongoing program sponsors. We will seek sponsors for both financial contributions and in-kind services. Sponsorships are intended to help us fulfill our mission: “Grand County Characters are volunteers serving all of Grand County. We are dedicated to the accurate portrayal of Grand County and Colorado history. We present educational and entertaining programs by invitation for community and private events.” We will use sponsorship money and in-kind services to help us present performances and events that keep the history of Colorado alive. We will not seek sponsorships for more than we need to meet our objectives.

Note: We may change this policy in the future if we decide to provide scholarships or other contributions to the community.

B. The GCC benefit from sponsorships by:

· Obtaining funds for operation and administration costs

· Receiving advertising from the sponsor

· Being introduced to new audiences through the sponsor

· Well known sponsors lend credibility to our organization and events

· Obtaining funds to produce special events and/or fund raisers.

C. These Sponsorship Guidelines provide direction to GCC’s members in the recruitment of sponsorship support, and ensure that all existing and potential sponsors are clear about their entitlements related to their support of this non-profit institution.

II. Definition: Sponsorship is an investment, in cash and/or in kind, in return for access to exploitable business potential associated with an event or highly publicized entity. The key words here are "investment" and "access to exploitable".

"Investment" implies a payback, value returned. When selling sponsorships the relationship becomes a partnership whereby the GCC receive the money and the sponsor receives the value of association with a non-profit historical organization that provides media, marketing and personal contact for the sponsor.

"Access to exploitable" refers to the right to capitalize on this sponsorship/event relationship through a variety of marketing tools including having an on-site presence, incorporating the sponsorship relationship into all advertising materials, developing cross promotions with other sponsors and in general, using the sponsorship to extend the sponsors' marketing reach.

III. Although we should be able to respond to ideas or suggestions from sponsors we do not intend to allow sponsors to influence our goals, strategic direction or integrity. Sponsors may not interfere with the general or artistic integrity of the GCC. GCC reserves the right to decline sponsorship offers from individuals and businesses if we anticipate there could be the perception of a conflict of interest or if the association with the individual or business could harm our reputation.

Companies accepted as sponsors are authorized to publicize their support of GCC in their corporate promotion vehicles as a demonstration of their support for Colorado history preservation and education, good citizenship and community service.

IV. Each sponsor, whether it be for an event or ongoing program, should be made aware of who our other sponsors are. They may choose to work together on their involvement.

V. Existing sponsors should be given the right of first refusal when sponsorship opportunities for events arise.

VI. Each sponsor can expect a year end report of our activities and result or in the case of event sponsors a report regarding the results of the event. It is important that reports accurately identify the success of our organization or group. The reports should emphasize the benefits the sponsors received. Things such as: event attendance, numbers of individuals/corporations contacted, amount of money and in kind received from sponsorships and grants, number and type of performances, amount of funds raised, etc.

VII. Sponsorship agreements must be in writing and signed by the responsible person from the sponsor and an officer of the Grand County Characters. The original agreement should be filed with the GCC secretary and a copy given to the sponsor for their files. Draft agreements are a part of this package.

Corporate Sponsorship –Annual Sustenance Program

The Grand County Characters (GCC) and their corporate sponsors are proud of their partnership, which is based on a mutual commitment to Colorado history preservation and education and strong, clear guidelines that safeguard the independence and integrity of GCC’s programs. Our Sponsorship Guidelines have been developed and approved by GCC’s Board of Directors.

Suggested Contribution Levels and their Benefits

$5,000+

· All of the benefits listed below plus additional benefits to be determined on an individual case basis.

$3,001-$5,000

· Your logo on the sponsor’s page on the GCC website

· Opportunity to sponsor special events

· Receipt of the GCC annual report

· Opportunity to renew annually

· Authority to publicize your support of the GCC

· Pride for supporting a historical non-profit

· Link from the GCC website to your website

· Recognition of your sponsorship on the GCC Home Page

· We will send a letter of appreciation to the editor of the local newspapers

· Two performances of the characters at your place of business or corporate event or characters to stroll or otherwise entertain at your business or event for up to 3 hours.

$1,501-$3,000

· Your logo on the sponsor’s page on the GCC website

· Opportunity to sponsor special events

· Receipt of the GCC annual report

· Opportunity to renew annually

· Authority to publicize your support of the GCC

· Pride for supporting a historical non-profit

· Link from the GCC website to your website

· Recognition of your sponsorship on the GCC Home Page

· We will send a letter of appreciation to the editor of the local newspapers

· 1 performance of up to 4 characters at your place of business or corporate event or up to 4 characters to stroll or otherwise entertain at your business or event for up to 3 hours.

$501-$1,500

· Your logo on the sponsor’s page on the GCC website

· Opportunity to sponsor special events

· Receipt of the GCC annual report

· Opportunity to renew annually

· Authority to publicize your support of the GCC

· Pride for supporting a historical non-profit

· Link from the GCC website to your website

· Recognition of your sponsorship on the GCC Home Page

· We will send a letter of appreciation to the editor of the local newspapers.

$500

· Your logo on the sponsor’s page on the GCC website

· Opportunity to sponsor special events

· Receipt of the GCC annual report

· Opportunity to renew annually

· Authority to publicize your support of the GCC

· Pride for supporting a historical non-profit organization.

Grand County Characters (GCC) Annual Corporate Sponsorship Agreement

The Grand County Characters are proud to have you as a corporate sponsor. We welcome and appreciate your support. We are a certified 501 c 3 non profit corporation. We believe the mutual benefits of this sponsorship will enrich both of our organizations.

Your Company Name: ______________________________________________

Company Contact Name: ____________________________________________

Signature of Sponsor: _______________________________________________

Mailing Address: ___________________________________________________

Phone Number: _____________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________________

We would like to support the Grand County Characters with the amount of

$_______________. This amount will be paid on ______________ by:

_____check

_____credit card

#_________________________exp___________________

_____please bill us.

Signature of Sponsor: ______________________________Date: _______________

Signature of Grand County Character: ________________________Date: __________