Lights On Afterschool!

Lights On Afterschool is a great opportunity to reach out to corporate partners. Use this template as a guide to draft your letters to potential sponsors. Be sure to personalize your letter with facts and figures about the services and benefits that your program provides and the communities that you serve. Also, don't forget to highlight key details of your Lights On Afterschool event such as the number of anticipated attendees, media presence and any high-profile guests or emcee if applicable. Check out the planning toolkit for more tips and ideas on how to recognize sponsors. Lastly, be sure to do prompt follow-up with the appropriate company personnel to discuss your proposal.

[Insert Date]

[Name] [Address]

Dear: [Name]

[Company A] has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping working families and to the positive development of [insert name of town/city/state]’s youth. Given your corporate leadership, I would like to invite Company A to partner with [ABCKids] as a sponsor of [ABCKids] Lights On Afterschool, a community event that will take place on [insert date]. This event celebrates the important role that afterschool programs play in keeping [insert name of town/city/state]’s youth safe, engaged and prepared to be successful adults. Lights On Afterschool is a wonderful opportunity for [Company A] to gain valuable exposure with the community while supporting a worthy cause.

Now more than ever, most American families need some kind of afterschool care. For many, these afterschool hours are fraught with worry and risk. It is during these hours that youth are most likely to be victims or perpetrators of crime. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire learning and help working families. As a valued afterschool program provider serving more than 400 low-income children, [ABCKids] provides a safe, fun and enriching haven where youth can get help with homework, participate in sports, arts and other engaging activities under the supervision of caring adults. We empower our youth to recognize their potential and to realize their dreams.

Celebrated by more than 7,500 communities and one million Americans nationwide, Lights On Afterschool is an important opportunity to recognize all that afterschool programs do for children, families and communities. [ABCKids] is proud to bring Lights On Afterschool to the [insert town/city/state] community. We hope that [Company A] will join us in this important celebration by becoming a Presenting Sponsor to the [ABCKids] Lights On Afterschool event with a donation of [insert dollar amount or specify type of in-kind donation]. Consisting of a community fair and parade, our event will draw 5,000 participants including parents, community groups, businesses, teachers and other members of the community. Bob Smith, famed radio personality of WXTR, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event and we anticipate local coverage from WXTR as well as other local media. As a Presenting Sponsor of the [ABCKids] Lights On Afterschool event, [Company A] will have a unique opportunity to generate goodwill with the community and to make positive impressions with potential customers and local media.

In return for the donation, [Company A] will receive the following sponsorship benefits and marketing opportunities:

I hope that you will consider partnering with [ABCKids] for this wonderful event in support of [insert name of town/city/state]’s youth and families. I look forward to speaking with you to discuss our proposal and will contact you in the upcoming week to see if we can further explore partnership opportunities. I can be reached at: [insert phone] or by email at [insert email].

Sincerely,

[Patty Smith]
[Executive Director], [ABCKids]