For galas and fundraising events
Sponsors for every table at your gala
A gala's sponsorship goal is built from dozens of commitments: a presenting sponsor, table sponsors, underwriters and the match for the paddle raise. Sponsor Trove helps your development team and committee track every one of them.
What gala sponsors buy
Gala sponsorships mix recognition, seats at the event and support for the mission.
Presenting sponsor
Name on the event, remarks from the stage, premium tables and recognition in every piece of material.
Table sponsors
A table of guests with the sponsor's name on it, often the most common package.
Underwriting
Covering a cost such as the dinner, wine, entertainment, valet or printing, with recognition for it.
Auction and paddle raise sponsors
Sponsoring the live auction, or providing a match that encourages bidding in the paddle raise.
Honoree and tribute packages
Recognition tied to the evening's honoree, often bought by their colleagues and friends.
Program book ads
Full-page, half-page and listing ads in the printed program, an easy yes for smaller supporters.
Who sponsors galas
Gala sponsors are often relationships as much as businesses. Typical sponsors include:
- Banks, wealth managers and insurance companies
- Law and accounting firms
- Local and regional employers
- Hospitals and health systems
- Companies connected to your board and honorees
- Family foundations and major donors
The gala sponsorship calendar
The strongest sponsorships are often secured before the invitations go out.
- 6–9 months out: Set the goal and packages, confirm the honoree, and ask last year's sponsors to renew.
- 4–6 months out: Board and committee members open doors; follow up on every introduction.
- 2–3 months out: Invitation and program deadlines. Confirm sponsor names and logos for print.
- After the gala: Thank sponsors with the evening's results and photos, and record who to ask first next year.
How Sponsor Trove helps
Every table, underwriter and match in one place
Each sponsor is a deal with its package and amount, moved from asked to committed. Set the gala's goal and see how close you are at every committee meeting.
- Package, amount and owner on every sponsor
- A goal for the gala
- Board members and staff on one board
No introduction goes cold
When a board member makes an introduction, set a follow-up and assign it. One click shows everyone due today, and sponsors who've gone quiet are flagged.
- Follow-ups assigned to staff or committee
- One click shows everything due today
- Quiet sponsors flagged automatically
Know who read your sponsorship invitation
Share the sponsorship packet as a link. You'll see who opened it and when they came back, and new readers are added to your pipeline automatically.
- See who opened it and when
- Each reader becomes a deal automatically
- Your organization's logo and colors
Sponsor emails, on the deal
Connect Gmail and your emails with each sponsor land on their deal, so the whole development team can see where every ask stands.
- Read-only, and only emails with your sponsors
- Everyone at a sponsor's company is matched
- See who's waiting on a reply
Questions
What sponsorship levels should a gala offer?
Usually a presenting sponsor, a few named tiers that include tables and recognition, underwriting opportunities for specific costs, and program ads for smaller supporters. Make sure every level has a clear benefit and a price.
Can our board members and committee use Sponsor Trove?
Yes. Invite them to your workspace, make them the owner of the sponsors they're cultivating, and assign follow-ups so the development team can see progress.
Does Sponsor Trove process donations or ticket sales?
No. Sponsor Trove manages the sponsorship pipeline: who you've asked, what they're considering and what they've committed. Keep using your donation or ticketing platform for payments.
We have years of sponsors in a spreadsheet. Can we bring them?
Yes. We'll move your sponsor history into Sponsor Trove for you, free, so you can start with renewals.
Related guides: Sponsorship prospectus template · Following up on a sponsorship proposal