Seeking sponsorship

suelaw

Hi all, another random question for you. I have started an Irish dancing class and we have successfully fundraised for all costumes, entry fees, registration fees, shoes, t shirts etc. we are from a very NORMAL area and are not fortunate enough to be able to splash the cash, as they say.
Anyway, how would I get sponsorship for the dance school? Or is this even possible?
I know many places, pubs, shops etc sponsor football teams so I'm thinking why not sponsor and Irish dance team!
Am I completely off my rocker or do you guys think such a thing could happen.
My dancers are extremely hard working and although they are only dancing for a short time they have been very successful in competitions.
Would anybody be able to pm me a template of a letter I could send to companies for sponsorship, and clearly English isn't my greatest talent lol.
Sorry for the long post and thanks for any info you can give me.
Cheers

Micky Dolenz

You've certainly came to the right place.

Wanna dance?

Sheep Lover

Sell a lung?

suelaw

Let's go

juice1304

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pOq4hyoX9g

WeHaveToGoBack

One thing about football club sponsorship is that said sponsor will have their name plastered across the jersey; presumably this wouldn't be the case with Irish dancing.

suelaw

Sheep Lover wrote: »

Sell a lung?

Think I'll hold onto my lungs. Thanks

suelaw

WeHaveToGoBack wrote: »

One thing about football club sponsorship is that said sponsor will have their name plastered across the jersey; presumably this wouldn't be the case with Irish dancing.

Well we could have the company logo on our class tracksuit etc

Micky Dolenz

juice1304 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pOq4hyoX9g

I prefer this version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7aGFrVSTAY

DoYouEvenLift

You can dance if you want to

Micky Dolenz

suelaw wrote: »

Well we could have the company logo on our class tracksuit etc

The point is to advertise.Teams play in front of crowds etc. Who would see your class tracksuits?

Sheep Lover

suelaw wrote: »

Think I'll hold onto my lungs. Thanks

What order are your kidneys in?

One eyed Jack

suelaw wrote: »

Hi all, another random question for you. I have started an Irish dancing class and we have successfully fundraised for all costumes, entry fees, registration fees, shoes, t shirts etc. we are from a very NORMAL area and are not fortunate enough to be able to splash the cash, as they say.
Anyway, how would I get sponsorship for the dance school? Or is this even possible?
I know many places, pubs, shops etc sponsor football teams so I'm thinking why not sponsor and Irish dance team!
Am I completely off my rocker or do you guys think such a thing could happen.
My dancers are extremely hard working and although they are only dancing for a short time they have been very successful in competitions.
Would anybody be able to pm me a template of a letter I could send to companies for sponsorship, and clearly English isn't my greatest talent lol.
Sorry for the long post and thanks for any info you can give me.
Cheers

You're completely off your rocker, but you need to be nowadays to engage in any sort of fundraising activity tbh

Seriously though, never mind letters, I presume you're going to be running your dancing school in the local community so keep it local. Arrange face to face meetings with potential local business people whom you'd like to get sponsorship from, hit up a local celebrity or two, get as much support from the community as you can and organise some fundraising events like dancing displays in shopping centres and so on.

One thing I've noted when I do fundraising is that people always give generously as long as you're not shoving a bucket under their nose or trying to guilt trip them into giving. The more enthusiastic you are about your idea, the more enthusiastic people will be to support you.

Best of luck with it btw

suelaw

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

The point is to advertise.Teams play in front of crowds etc. Who would see your class tracksuits?

250-300 people at competitions, people all over the areas where the dancers frequent, shopping centres and such. We could advertise them on our flyers, the different schools/community centres we dance in, and advertise on our Facebook page. Would that be of any use to a company do u think

suelaw

One eyed Jack wrote: »

You're completely off your rocker, but you need to be nowadays to engage in any sort of fundraising activity tbh

Seriously though, never mind letters, I presume you're going to be running your dancing school in the local community so keep it local. Arrange face to face meetings with potential local business people whom you'd like to get sponsorship from, hit up a local celebrity or two, get as much support from the community as you can and organise some fundraising events like dancing displays in shopping centres and so on.

One thing I've noted when I do fundraising is that people always give generously as long as you're not shoving a bucket under their nose or trying to guilt trip them into giving. The more enthusiastic you are about your idea, the more enthusiastic people will be to support you.

Best of luck with it btw

Thanks for that, some great tips ther, so any local celebs in bray....lol
Will definitely get onto local businesses, I think I was jumping wwaaayyy out of the box

Micky Dolenz

suelaw wrote: »

250-300 people at competitions, people all over the areas where the dancers frequent, shopping centres and such. We could advertise them on our flyers, the different schools/community centres we dance in, and advertise on our Facebook page. Would that be of any use to a company do u think

But only when you are wearing a training tracksuit?

How much are you looking for btw?

4zn76tysfajdxp

suelaw wrote: »

Well we could have the company logo on our class tracksuit etc

Tracksuits are class.

suelaw

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

But only when you are wearing a training tracksuit?

How much are you looking for btw?

Believe me they'll be advertised. We got cheap hoodies at the start (January) and the dancers wear them absolutely everywhere. I have personally seen them going to school in them,I saw 3 dancers wearing them around dundrum and have been tagged in pictures up at bray seafront of the girls wearing them. We would not need much money cough cough, 600-700 would be really enough to keep us going, ie dress the new dancers and replace the cheap hoodies. We are still fundraising in the mean time though.
I believe there is some tax thing (I don't have a clue about tax) where the company can get some sort of tax relief for donating to clubs

Rhys Essien

OP,you could post a letter to Michael Flatley at his multi million euro country estate in Cork and ask him has he any spare change.You never know,it might work.

suelaw

Rhys Essien wrote: »

OP,you could post a letter to Michael Flatley at his multi million euro country estate in Cork and ask him has he any spare change.You never know,it might work.

Haha doubt he even reads his own post

Junkyard Tom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll3uipTO-4A

The Strawman Argument

Perhaps offer to have all the girls decorate their silly irish dancing hair to look like the logo of whoever sponsors you?

Or that you'll dance exclusively to songs with some kind of product placement embedded into them?

...are there rules against facepaint?

suelaw

The Strawman Argument wrote: »

Perhaps offer to have all the girls decorate their silly irish dancing hair to look like the logo of whoever sponsors you?

Or that you'll dance exclusively to songs with some kind of product placement embedded into them?

...are there rules against facepaint?

We don't have the usual silly Irish dancing hair, we are a very new school and have no intention of wigs etc for a long time. Thanks for the idea. There is a rule against too much make up so I reckon face paint would fall into that rule. Thanks though

Micky Dolenz

suelaw wrote: »

Believe me they'll be advertised. We got cheap hoodies at the start (January) and the dancers wear them absolutely everywhere. I have personally seen them going to school in them,I saw 3 dancers wearing them around dundrum and have been tagged in pictures up at bray seafront of the girls wearing them. We would not need much money cough cough, 600-700 would be really enough to keep us going, ie dress the new dancers and replace the cheap hoodies. We are still fundraising in the mean time though.
I believe there is some tax thing (I don't have a clue about tax) where the company can get some sort of tax relief for donating to clubs

€700 is a lot of money and any one business will want a potential decent return. Questions like, how many dancers in the club? How often you compete? What are the chances of winning competitions? etc will be asked.

biko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcylt4xZGas

lulu1

My daughter goes to a local dance school and to tell you the truth I am robbed. One thing I will say is please think of the parents. I am not too sure if you are going to be teaching and if so you will probably be charging a fee.
Our dance school teacher does not think of the cost but the thing about it everyone jumps throwing out hundreds of euros every few months for compatitions
Only last summer the crew got a brand new crew outfit costing 70e we were told this would do them at least 3 years. She turns round yesterday and decided to get a whole new outfit again.
I am so sorry I know this is of no help to you but when i saw this post i just thought of my own dance school and cost.

Best of luck in your new venture

suelaw

lulu1 wrote: »

My daughter goes to a local dance school and to tell you the truth I am robbed. One thing I will say is please think of the parents. I am not too sure if you are going to be teaching and if so you will probably be charging a fee.
Our dance school teacher does not think of the cost but the thing about it everyone jumps throwing out hundreds of euros every few months for compatitions
Only last summer the crew got a brand new crew outfit costing 70e we were told this would do them at least 3 years. She turns round yesterday and decided to get a whole new outfit again.
I am so sorry I know this is of no help to you but when i saw this post i just thought of my own dance school and cost.

Best of luck in your new venture

Hi lulu, I'm glad you posted. My mam was a parent like you. Robbed from the off. I charge very little per class, like less than half of what I used to pay going to class. We dance in a small community centre, and fundraising has paid for shoes, costumes and feis entries. I am not out to make millions in this field, I'm out there to help people love dancing th way I do. This is the very reason I'm hoping to get sponsorship, I never want any of my dancers to leave due to the money end of it. We fundraise once a month, raffles, danceathons, bag packing, toy sales and book sales. Fingers crossed we can keep this up, as the kids deserve it so much

suelaw

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

€700 is a lot of money and any one business will want a potential decent return. Questions like, how many dancers in the club? How often you compete? What are the chances of winning competitions? etc will be asked.

I seen here your coming from. Well there's just under 40 kids, from4-18. We compete at least once a month and so far have been very successful. We have had a lot of trophies and medals and even two podium placers(that's a big thing in id).
I'm going to go around the local businesses in our area on Tuesday.

Is this your job or are you doing it voluntarily?

suelaw

Deleted User wrote: »

Is this your job or are you doing it voluntarily?

Technically its a job, obviously not my main job, but a job all the same. I make enough to cover hall rentals, insurance, registration etc but it wouldn't be enough to give up my main job, if that makes sense

suelaw

suelaw wrote: »

Technically its a job, obviously not my main job, but a job all the same. I make enough to cover hall rentals, insurance, registration etc but it wouldn't be enough to give up my main job, if that makes sense

Will that be made clear to contributors and sponsors, if you are deriving an income from it?

Know Irish dancing classes that are a business, the teacher draws a salary, yet still do the bag packing, collecting etc. Which is begging as a business.

suelaw

Deleted User wrote: »

Will that be made clear to contributors and sponsors, that you are deriving an income from it?

Know Irish dancing classes that are a business, yet still do the bag packing, collecting etc. Which is begging as a business.

No money made from fundraising even enters my hands. We have 3 parents that look after the money and we all sit down and work out who gets what and when something gets ordered. Sponsorship will work the same way. I definitely won't be running away with the money.

MathDebater

If you have a hall to use why don't you put on a dance recital for the locals, friends and family of the dancers. Sell tickets at fiver a head. Throw in a raffle, sell tea, coffee, some homemade snacks and try and get some local businesses on board to sponsor the event and, or, the dancers.

Should generate the EUR700 you need to keep the show on the road.

Please never do a sponsored bag pack at your local supermarket. I hate being cornered into paying for other peoples hobbies as though they're some sort of charitable endeavour.

I hate club/charity bag packers, they should be banned for putting people in a position where they have to opt out, rather than choose to opt in.

suelaw

MathDebater wrote: »

If you have a hall to use why don't you put on a dance recital for the locals, friends and family of the dancers. Sell tickets at fiver a head. Throw in a raffle, sell tea, coffee, some homemade snacks and try and get some local businesses on board to sponsor the event and, or, the dancers.

Should generate the EUR700 you need to keep the show on the road.

Great idea, but when I say hall, it's a community centre room, definitely no room for people to come and see a recital. Great idea though. I will look into the cost of renting a hall out and see what we can come up with. Cheers for that

suelaw

Candie wrote: »

Please never do a sponsored bag pack at your local supermarket. I hate being cornered into paying for other peoples hobbies as though they're some sort of charitable endeavour.

I hate club/charity bag packers, they should be banned for putting people in a position where they have to opt out, rather than choose to opt in.

Oh no, don't say that. We are bag packing on Sunday. I have told the kids to ask customers would they like their shopping packed, if they say yes, pack and have a little chat, if the customer says no, just go to a different till and help one of the other dancers. I didn't realise people hate these things. I've encountered loads but prefer to pack my own bags, but I'll always throw my change in the bucket. I assumed this was the norm. We are in trouble now! We were told to leave one till without a dancer and a bucket though so maybe we will be ok

Candie

Candie wrote: »

Please never do a sponsored bag pack at your local supermarket. I hate being cornered into paying for other peoples hobbies as though they're some sort of charitable endeavour.

I hate club/charity bag packers, they should be banned for putting people in a position where they have to opt out, rather than choose to opt in.

I kinda agree but still it's not too bad if no wage is being drawn.

As I said, I know a dance school that is a business, and they do the bag packing too. Which is just the height of brass neckery.

suelaw

Deleted User wrote: »

I kinda agree but still it's not too bad if no wage is being drawn.

As I said, I know a dance school that is a business, and they do the bag packing too. Which is just the height of brass neckery.

I also know of these dance schools. Plenty of greedy teachers out there, but there's still a lot of teachers I this business for the right reason, the love of dance. There's no better feeling for me, than seeing someone come in front of you with two left feet and seeing them a few weeks later dancing away. That's why I'm doing this anyway

suelaw

suelaw wrote: »

Oh no, don't say that. We are bag packing on Sunday. I have told the kids to ask customers would they like their shopping packed, if they say yes, pack and have a little chat, if the customer says no, just go to a different till and help one of the other dancers. I didn't realise people hate these things. I've encountered loads but prefer to pack my own bags, but I'll always throw my change in the bucket. I assumed this was the norm. We are in trouble now! We were told to leave one till without a dancer and a bucket though so maybe we will be ok

I don't know of anyone who welcomes the presence of bag packers. I do know of many who find them an annoyance and something of an obligation. I used to avoid a particular supermarket purely because of the presence of bag packers, and not just because they dump the bleach on the bread.

A dance school isn't a charity. Asking other people to fund hobbies for people they don't know, with nothing in return, is exactly the sort of thing that really irritates me.

Starving babies and sick puppies are one thing, other peoples hobbies are another.

MathDebater

suelaw wrote: »

Great idea, but when I say hall, it's a community centre room, definitely no room for people to come and see a recital. Great idea though. I will look into the cost of renting a hall out and see what we can come up with. Cheers for that

A local primary school might let you use their PE hall but I'd imagine insurance would be a bit steep. Worth enquiring about. Could also have a fundraising quiz in one of the local pubs during the week. Pubs are crying out for midweek business and if you could promise the manager fifty plus thirsty punters through the door, they would probably cordon off an area for you and lash out some wings, cocktail sausies, wedges and that jazz for free. Try and get local businesses to donate some prizes for the quiz and the raffle. Twenty blips a team of four and a euro a raffle ticket. Probably wouldn't make the EUR700 but would take a good chunk of it in.

dr strangelove

Don't forget you'll need to splash out a few more quid for "Irish Dancing: Volume 2 - The Arms"

suelaw

Candie wrote: »

I don't know of anyone who welcomes the presence of bag packers. I do know of many who find them an annoyance and something of an obligation. I used to avoid a particular supermarket purely because of the presence of bag packers, and not just because they dump the bleach on the bread.

A dance school isn't a charity. Asking other people to fund hobbies for people they don't know, with nothing in return, is exactly the sort of thing that really irritates me.

Starving babies and sick puppies are one thing, other peoples hobbies are another.

I do see where your coming from. But surely with the country in the state its in, kids taking part in activities is better than hanging around on the roads. I have never felt pressured into donating to any bag packers, whether it be for charity or a football club, I just personally choose to give my loose change in. I wouldn't want anyone to feel pressurised into giving my dancers money. We are. To a charity by any means, but we are definitely a community class. There is nobody gaining a lot from this financially, but the kids are gaining loads. Ps I have warned them how to pack bags, as there's nothing worse than the bleach with the bread lol

Tugboats

I won't be sponsoring you. Irish dancing is now all about the sexual exploitation of young girls who are forced to wear fake tan, make up and the skirts are getting shorter. It's no better than the beauty pageants you see in America. You should be ashamed of yourself.

suelaw

MathDebater wrote: »

A local primary school might let you use their PE hall but I'd imagine insurance would be a bit steep. Worth enquiring about. Could also have a fundraising quiz in one of the local pubs during the week. Pubs are crying out for midweek business and if you could promise the manager fifty plus thirsty punters through the door, they would probably cordon off an area for you and lash out some wings, cocktail sausies, wedges and that jazz for free. Try and get local businesses to donate some prizes for the quiz and the raffle. Twenty blips a team of four and a euro a raffle ticket. Probably wouldn't make the EUR700 but would take a good chunk of it in.

I have public liability insurance anyway so I'll call them and see if a recital could be covered. And your right, certainly our local pub would be screaming out for midweek customers. Thanks a mil for all this

MathDebater

Tugboats wrote: »

I won't be sponsoring you. Irish dancing is now all about the sexual exploitation of young girls who are forced to wear fake tan, make up and the skirts are getting shorter. It's no better than the beauty pageants you see in America. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Plenty of Irish dancing competitions don't allow the younger participants wear make up. Think it's banned actually.

Pawwed Rig

Candie wrote: »

Please never do a sponsored bag pack at your local supermarket. I hate being cornered into paying for other peoples hobbies as though they're some sort of charitable endeavour.

I hate club/charity bag packers, they should be banned for putting people in a position where they have to opt out, rather than choose to opt in.

Hate these things aswell. If you insist on doing it will you at least leave a couple of tills where people can avoid you.
It is one of the big plusses of LIDL and ALDI that they never have bag packers harrassing the customers. In Tesco it is like a plague

suelaw

suelaw wrote: »

I do see where your coming from. But surely with the country in the state its in, kids taking part in activities is better than hanging around on the roads. I have never felt pressured into donating to any bag packers, whether it be for charity or a football club, I just personally choose to give my loose change in. I wouldn't want anyone to feel pressurised into giving my dancers money. We are. To a charity by any means, but we are definitely a community class. There is nobody gaining a lot from this financially, but the kids are gaining loads. Ps I have warned them how to pack bags, as there's nothing worse than the bleach with the bread lol

I walked out of a supermarket with an elderly lady once, and she told me she felt obliged to give some change to the football club 'fundraising'. And then she told me that she'd have to without something to make up the 50p or whatever she gave them. She was embarrassed to give nothing.

Standing beside people while they pay for their goods is intimidating to some people, it's shameful that it's allowed. Charity or donations should be opt in, not opt out. And while I appreciate you feel you're providing a community service, I don't think anyone should be put in a position where they have to purposefully opt out of funding new dance shoes for kids they don't know, when for all you know they can't afford to buy regular shoes for their own.

I'll never understand how it's gotten such a foothold in British and Irish supermarkets.

suelaw

Tugboats wrote: »

I won't be sponsoring you. Irish dancing is now all about the sexual exploitation of young girls who are forced to wear fake tan, make up and the skirts are getting shorter. It's no better than the beauty pageants you see in America. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Wow ur harsh considering you don't know me. I've already said we don't wear wigs and have no plans to. I am a mother of 3 that competed until last year. No way was I ever like a beauty pageant contestant. Maybe you should do your homework on my dance class before comparing me to others. I came on here for advise because I'm trying to look after children that otherwise couldn't dance. Anyone who looks at a little 4 year old dancer and sees anything sexual is the one with the issue. My kids wear skirts tights t shirts and curl their hair. There is no make up, tan, wigs etc in my class.

suelaw

MathDebater wrote: »

Plenty of Irish dancing competitions don't allow the younger participants wear make up. Think it's banned actually.

It is banned in my organisation. Thanks for that

One eyed Jack

Tugboats wrote: »

I won't be sponsoring you. Irish dancing is now all about the sexual exploitation of young girls who are forced to wear fake tan, make up and the skirts are getting shorter. It's no better than the beauty pageants you see in America. You should be ashamed of yourself.

There's always one :rolleyes:

There's all sorts of dance classes for both boys and girls to participate in, and I've seen myself the benefits to the local community by having children get involved in activities like this. It doesn't have to cost a fortune or be anything like the American OTT nonsense.

I think you already knew that though, but are simply looking to be mean spirited for the lulz :rolleyes:

Tugboats

MathDebater wrote: »

Plenty of Irish dancing competitions don't allow the younger participants wear make up. Think it's banned actually.

Token gesture. Fake tan is still allowed and so is make up for over 10s