Sponsorships

Sponsorship as defined by IEG (International Events Group):
Sponsorship is a marketing relationship in which a company pays a cash or in-kind fee to a charity in return for marketing benefits. This is different from a donation as that is financial donation that is not tied to marketing goals.

Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) defines sponsors as those businesses and organizations that receive marketing benefits in exchange for their donation to further our year-round sports training and athletic competitions to children and adults with mental disabilities. Marketing benefits change according to the different levels of financial commitment and can be customized to meet a company or organizations needs.

Official Partner Status

This level of sponsorship is for a companies or organizations that want a year-round marketing relationship with Special Olympics Missouri. This opportunity is only offered to 6 non-competing companies (or organizations) at the State level and to 4 at each Area level in order to keep the sponsorship field free from clutter. Sponsorship can be cash or in-kind, with at least half of the commitment in the form of cash.

The levels of Sponsorship start at the Official Partner Level which is aimed at statewide exposure and recognizes a company at all state levels events. This is the top level sponsorship that we offer and starts at the $50,000 level. This level can be through cash and value-in-kind (VIK) donations with at least half of the donation to be received in cash. Sponsorships are usually offered on a 12-month period.

Area Official Partner Levels are also offered to companies or organizations who want exposure on a more regional basis.

The chart below outlines the levels, the minimum financials contributions and the categories we offer:

Geographic Area	Minimum Levels	Competitions Category (# of positions offered)	Torch Run Category (# of positions offered)	Polar Plunge Category (# of positions offered)
State HQ	$50,000	6	6	6
Central	$5,000	4	4	4
St. Louis Metro	$15,000	4	4	4
KC Metro	$10,000	4	4	4
Northeast	$2,500	4	4	4
Northwest	$5,000	4	4	4
Southeast	$5,000	4	4	4
Southwest	$10,000	4	4	4
SSD	$10,000	4	4	4

We offer sponsorship in 3 different categories.

1. Competitions: Competitions offer benefits around a sports venue and tie in with the Special Olympics athletes. These events are state level competitions where athletes who have trained locally for at least 8 weeks in each season, are able to compete against other athletes from around the state. The events offer media exposure, VIP status for sponsors, key volunteer opportunities at venues, banner exposure and publicity.

Athletic Competitions for Special Olympics Missouri athletes for 2009 include:

State Basketball – March – St. Charles
State Summer Games – May - Springfield
State Outdoor Championships – August – Columbia
State Indoor Championships– November - Joplin

2. Law Enforcement Torch Run®:The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a movement that began in Missouri in 1986 when the Missouri Police Chiefs Association endorsed the first Torch Run where law enforcement officers ran from Columbia to Jefferson City raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics Missouri. That first year the officers raised $8,000 and did more than run. They ignited a flame that now burns $1 million dollars strong, attracts over 100 different agencies and up to 2,500 different law enforcement agencies. It is a year-round fundraising movement that supports Special Olympics Missouri more than any other source. Sponsors will gain exposure, publicity, and media value when associating itself with the LETR.

3. Polar Plunges: Polar Plunges are a unique winter-weather experience where participants don creative costumes and jump into frigid waters of various Missouri lakes during February. This is a Law Enforcement Torch Run project that is planned by Special Olympics Missouri in conjunction with the local law enforcement agencies. Polar Plunges across the state our the signature fundraising event for SOMO.  Sponsors at the state level gain exposure at each of the Polar Plunges while sponsors at the Area level gain exposure at that particular Plunge location. Online fundraising helps participants raise more money and gives sponsors even more exposure. It’s the Reason for Freezin’ – to help over 15,000 Special Olympics Missouri athletes!

The Polar Plunges also offer companies great opportunities for employee involvement to build morale. Click hereto learn more about participation in the plunges.

Cause Marketing
Learn how you let your consumers participate by offering them cause related marketing programs.

For more information about becoming a sponsor for Special Olympics Missouri events, please contact Chief Development Officer, Susan Stegemanat 573-635-1660.