Sell <\/strong>event <\/strong>sponsorship packages through an online fundraising store <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for event sponsors, an online store is a great tool. Set up store \u201citems\u201d that are really sponsorship packages. If you decide to set up an online fundraising store to sell sponsorships, here are some ways to make it as effective as possible! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be specific about your sponsorship packages<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nOn the item pages, list your sponsorship levels and what perks come with each package. This is a great tactic to use when asking for sponsorships through email! Send your sponsorship appeal email (psst: we have handy templates<\/a> over here) and include a link to the sponsorships section of your store. From there, your potential sponsor can look over your options and choose the one that\u2019s the best fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBear Creek Regional Park included tons of sponsorship packages in their event store. Check out that price range: having a variety of different package options ensures there\u2019s something for everyone!<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\nBe thoughtful about your sponsorship pricing<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nInclude a variety of sponsorship levels at different price ranges. There should be something for everyone! An individual donor may not be able to buy a $5,000 sponsorship, but they could spring for a $500 package. That $500 package won\u2019t catch the eye of your local bank, but a $5,000 package might. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, be sure to include a description of each package (no matter the price point!) and what it includes. Check out this example from Bear Creek Regional Park: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-1.jpeg\")
<\/a>Potential sponsors saw a summary of the perks associated with each sponsorship package, then see the full description when they click on individual item.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOnce you have your sponsorship store built, keep it handy as you begin outreach to your local partners. Include a link to your store in your appeal emails or when you send follow-up emails to individuals after you meet with them. Be sure you let your potential supporters know that you\u2019re available if they have any questions! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sell branded merchandise<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhether you\u2019re looking to sell event-specific merchandise (think t-shirts for your annual 5k, branded water bottles, or other swag) or want to run a store year-round, an online store is a great option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like your sponsorship store, it\u2019s a great idea to include items at a variety of price points. Small-ticket items are awesome add-ons for event registrants\u2014they can easily add a sticker or extra shirt (like the example below!) while they\u2019re signing up to participate in your event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-5.jpeg\")
<\/a>Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County set up a variety of low-cost items their event registrants could add to their carts during the signup process. Genius!<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHere are a few things to consider as you set up your merch store: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye on your inventory<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nWhen you\u2019re setting up the items you\u2019ll have for sale, be sure to keep a close eye on the different \u201cattributes\u201d of each item (attributes include things like shirt size, color, etc.). You and<\/em> your supporters will have a better experience if you\u2019re careful about tracking and maintaining your inventory! Knowing you have 5 medium blue shirts, 4 extra-large green shirts, and 1 extra-small purple shirt while you\u2019re creating inventory will keep your store accurate and your supporters happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\nKnow how taxes work with online fundraising stores<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nAnother thing to track is your state requirements for sales tax on items you\u2019re selling in your online fundraising shop. Since you\u2019re fundraising, do you need to charge a sales tax? If you do, be sure you calculate that ahead of time and have a plan for making sure you stay in compliance with local laws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have a plan for shipping<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nThe last thing to consider as you set up your store is your plan for shipping items to your supporters. If you\u2019re selling event-specific merchandise, will donors be able to pick up their items on the day of the event? Will you ship them in addition to having pick-up options? If you\u2019re shipping items, how much should you charge for shipping fees? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out this example from St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness! The copy at the top of their store page includes information about shipping method, timeframe for receiving merchandise, and how to exchange merchandise for a different size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-6-1024x693.jpeg\")
<\/a>People who buy merchandise from St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness know exactly how they\u2019ll receive their merchandise before they even look through the items!<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSome items may not need to be shipped! If you sell memorial items in your fundraising store, like engraved bricks, monuments, or other materials, it\u2019s important to let donors know how to see the items they\u2019ve purchased. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, for example, uses an online fundraising shop to sell tribute gifts, naming opportunities, and other monuments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These items are built into their facility instead of being shipped to their buyers! If you decide to go this route, stay in touch with your donors to let them know when and how they can see the items they purchased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-2.jpeg\")
<\/a>Donors can buy engraved bricks, memorial benches and fountains, dedicated flower boxes, and other items that are dedicated to beloved pets or other loved ones. Those items are displayed at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue\u2019s facility.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSet up an online store to help donors visualize their impact<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\nYour donors are used to shopping online. Online shopping gives us a sense of instant gratification: we select our item, we plug in our payment information, and we get the item in the mail. It\u2019s very satisfying! You can tap into that kind of instant gratification by creating items your donors can \u201cbuy\u201d when they donate. This works exceptionally well for organizations that rely on tangible donations like food<\/a>, clothing, medical equipment, or other supplies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-3-1024x732.jpeg\")
<\/a>When their community needed extra help during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Sharing Center set up a virtual food pantry where donors could \u201cbuy\u201d specific items online.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThere are tons of opportunities here: donors could \u201cbuy\u201d food items, school supplies, building materials\u2014anything! That said, there are a few tips you should keep in mind as you set up this store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch your wording<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nFirst, be careful how you present the items donors are buying. The Sharing Center<\/a> could have, conceivably, ended up with 200 bottles of laundry detergent and no paper towels. Luckily, they included a note at the bottom of their page that clarified that money raised on that page would be used where it was most needed, including buying food items but potentially including other services. <\/p>\n\n\n\nNot sure what that looks like? This is a great example from our friends at Second Harvest Food Bank: <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-4-1024x475.jpeg\")
<\/a>Second Harvest Food Bank does a great job of including lots of items in their online fundraising store, but they\u2019re also transparent with their donors about how donations will be used.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBe prepared to follow up<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nThe second thing to consider is your follow-up plan. One of the reasons so many people love shopping online is the gratification of getting their items in the mail. That won\u2019t happen with this kind of store! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the item pages, list your sponsorship levels and what perks come with each package. This is a great tactic to use when asking for sponsorships through email! Send your sponsorship appeal email (psst: we have handy templates<\/a> over here) and include a link to the sponsorships section of your store. From there, your potential sponsor can look over your options and choose the one that\u2019s the best fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bear Creek Regional Park included tons of sponsorship packages in their event store. Check out that price range: having a variety of different package options ensures there\u2019s something for everyone!<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Include a variety of sponsorship levels at different price ranges. There should be something for everyone! An individual donor may not be able to buy a $5,000 sponsorship, but they could spring for a $500 package. That $500 package won\u2019t catch the eye of your local bank, but a $5,000 package might. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, be sure to include a description of each package (no matter the price point!) and what it includes. Check out this example from Bear Creek Regional Park: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have your sponsorship store built, keep it handy as you begin outreach to your local partners. Include a link to your store in your appeal emails or when you send follow-up emails to individuals after you meet with them. Be sure you let your potential supporters know that you\u2019re available if they have any questions! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re looking to sell event-specific merchandise (think t-shirts for your annual 5k, branded water bottles, or other swag) or want to run a store year-round, an online store is a great option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like your sponsorship store, it\u2019s a great idea to include items at a variety of price points. Small-ticket items are awesome add-ons for event registrants\u2014they can easily add a sticker or extra shirt (like the example below!) while they\u2019re signing up to participate in your event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few things to consider as you set up your merch store: <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re setting up the items you\u2019ll have for sale, be sure to keep a close eye on the different \u201cattributes\u201d of each item (attributes include things like shirt size, color, etc.). You and<\/em> your supporters will have a better experience if you\u2019re careful about tracking and maintaining your inventory! Knowing you have 5 medium blue shirts, 4 extra-large green shirts, and 1 extra-small purple shirt while you\u2019re creating inventory will keep your store accurate and your supporters happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another thing to track is your state requirements for sales tax on items you\u2019re selling in your online fundraising shop. Since you\u2019re fundraising, do you need to charge a sales tax? If you do, be sure you calculate that ahead of time and have a plan for making sure you stay in compliance with local laws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The last thing to consider as you set up your store is your plan for shipping items to your supporters. If you\u2019re selling event-specific merchandise, will donors be able to pick up their items on the day of the event? Will you ship them in addition to having pick-up options? If you\u2019re shipping items, how much should you charge for shipping fees? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out this example from St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness! The copy at the top of their store page includes information about shipping method, timeframe for receiving merchandise, and how to exchange merchandise for a different size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some items may not need to be shipped! If you sell memorial items in your fundraising store, like engraved bricks, monuments, or other materials, it\u2019s important to let donors know how to see the items they\u2019ve purchased. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, for example, uses an online fundraising shop to sell tribute gifts, naming opportunities, and other monuments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These items are built into their facility instead of being shipped to their buyers! If you decide to go this route, stay in touch with your donors to let them know when and how they can see the items they purchased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your donors are used to shopping online. Online shopping gives us a sense of instant gratification: we select our item, we plug in our payment information, and we get the item in the mail. It\u2019s very satisfying! You can tap into that kind of instant gratification by creating items your donors can \u201cbuy\u201d when they donate. This works exceptionally well for organizations that rely on tangible donations like food<\/a>, clothing, medical equipment, or other supplies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are tons of opportunities here: donors could \u201cbuy\u201d food items, school supplies, building materials\u2014anything! That said, there are a few tips you should keep in mind as you set up this store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First, be careful how you present the items donors are buying. The Sharing Center<\/a> could have, conceivably, ended up with 200 bottles of laundry detergent and no paper towels. Luckily, they included a note at the bottom of their page that clarified that money raised on that page would be used where it was most needed, including buying food items but potentially including other services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not sure what that looks like? This is a great example from our friends at Second Harvest Food Bank: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The second thing to consider is your follow-up plan. One of the reasons so many people love shopping online is the gratification of getting their items in the mail. That won\u2019t happen with this kind of store! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBe thoughtful about your sponsorship pricing<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Sell branded merchandise<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Keep an eye on your inventory<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Know how taxes work with online fundraising stores<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Have a plan for shipping<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a>Set up an online store to help donors visualize their impact<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Watch your wording<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Be prepared to follow up<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n