Corporate sponsorship

Multinational companies or local small businesses may be interested in sponsoring environmental programs by providing

A financial donation

Funding budget items - tools, equipment, materials, printing (paying the cost, or giving a discount) and publicity

Providing incentives and rewards for volunteers such as shop discounts

"Sponsorship is not a donation. It offers monetary support in return for an agreed benefit".

Landcare Sponsorship: A Guide for groups in NSW 1999

Be clear about what the sponsoring organisation requires in return for funding (they may ask for certain types of publicity and presentations which can take up a lot of time).
Think carefully about accepting sponsorship from a private company or organisation that could be in conflict with your organisation or program's goals (for example, if you work for a local council and the conflict is related to a development proposal involving the company).

Get a copy of the guidelines and application forms first to check your proposal fits in
Talk to the funding body about their requirements for funding applications (an essential)
Be clear about the time frame for the grant funds to be spent within (usually 1-2 years) and what can be achieved in the required time frame
Ask yourself if the application is going to be worth the effort
Plan according to the time frame of the organisation's requirements, and design a project or phase of the project to fit in with this
Have a well planned broad project, with various stages to be funded over a few years or rounds of funding
Link in with local councils, agencies and other environmental organisations and demonstrate how the project fits in with regional frameworks and catchment management
Check to ensure your application has been received by the funding body

Landcare Australia Limited (LAL) is the national sponsorship, promotions and fundraising body for the Landcare and Coastcare movements. LAL can assist organisations and community groups with sponsorship and corporate work days. www.landcareonline.com

Landcare Sponsorship: A Guide for groups in NSW Booklet (1999) www.landcarensw.org

Landcare Australia Communications Kit How to secure sponsorship, use the media and Landcare logo (Will be available in 2005) www.landcareaustralia.com.au

Writing Funding Applications Information Sheet www.volunteeringaustralia.org/sheets/funding

Corporate Sponsorship Toolkit Seeking sponsors for local environment initiatives Environs Australia http://members.optusnet.com.au/~councilnet/home.html

The Volunteer Coordinators Network (Natural Areas) Manual © 2004