"Generosity consists not the sum given, but the manner in which it is bestowed" - Mahatma Ghandi

Sponsorship for a not-for-profit organization is much more than just receiving money and donations from a corporate organisations'. It requires like-minded individuals to be committed to a similar cause, and hopefully sustain a relationship over a long period of time to help others in need.

One of my last  tasks assigned to me at my placement was to look for potential organizations that would be able and willing to sponsor Therapy Focus' Help a Child Grow Charity Ball. The fundraising event, which will be happening on 24th September this year, which hopes to:

• Raise $50, 000 for the Help a Child Grow Fund; and
• To recognise all the dedicated professional staff within the disability sector.

For Therapy Focus, it is crucial that the potential sponsors for the Charity Ball are also like-minded people who want to create a better future for all children in Western Australia. I have never had any experience in the sponsorship side of Public Relations, so this task was definitely a new experience for me. 

I guess, my primary knowledge of sponsorship would be my exposure to sports. I think growing up in Australia and watching AFL every now and then, you see teams being sponsored by well-known Australian organisations.  For example, Bank West and SGIO being the major sponsors of West Coast Eagles. I also thought back to those times in PR units when lecturers would discuss certain topics such as Corporate Social Responsibility and sponsorship.

This experience has taught me a few things about sponsorship in not-for-profit sector that I was unaware of before.

Firstly, sponsors of a charity need to be a good fit to the cause and its objectives. Secondly, its always best to contact businesses that love to give back to the community as they are more willing to help out.


To sum it all up, sponsorship to me has become about the relationship between the charity and the sponsors and/or partners, and how that can used for a greater cause than just making profit.


Until next time,


Maria.


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