There are many different things you can ask for from a business or community partner. The goal is to get things that help run your program more efficiently, will save money allowing for more money towards fundraising, or will add value to an event. It is not advised to ask for something you may not use. Also, make sure you have a plan on what assets you will be providing the business in return, like a social media post, signage at events, coupons at events, etc. Here are some examples of things other programs have asked for in the past:

• Monetary Donations
• Food
• Supplies
• Sponsorship for an activity
  • Potentially name the activity after them as stewardship
• Prizes for a competition
• Community event space

For a specific event or initiative, think about what you specifically may need:

• Develop a list of what you need and why you need it.
  • Go over the entire plan for an event, including advertising, set up, execution, tear down, and post-event, and list everything you need and for what.
  • Then go through that list and identify what you do not already have free or cheap access to.
• For every need you identified, make a list of businesses or community partners you can work with to effectively obtain it for free or at low cost.
• Keep in mind this may mean securing funding for it from the business or community partner.
  • For example, if you need silent disco, you get a business to sponsor the cost and that funding is used to rent silent disco equipment.