How to Secure Sponsors for Your School’s New Scoreboard
School budgets are tight. Facility upgrades, especially for athletics, are often postponed or scaled back due to limited funding. But that doesn’t mean big improvements are out of reach. Many schools have found a realistic, sustainable path forward by turning to community sponsorships.
A new scoreboard is more than just a way to keep score—it’s a centerpiece for school pride, community events, and student engagement. And when local businesses see the value of having their brand associated with that experience, they’re often willing to help fund it.
With the right strategy, schools can secure scoreboard sponsorships that benefit both students and sponsors. This guide outlines a proven approach to attracting support and delivering real value, every step of the way.
The Value of Sponsorship for Local Businesses
Sponsoring a school scoreboard isn’t just a good deed. It’s a smart investment for local businesses that want visibility, credibility, and direct access to the community.
Scoreboards are highly visible during sports events, fundraisers, pep rallies, and school ceremonies. That means sponsor logos or ads are seen by hundreds—or even thousands—of parents, students, and neighbors throughout the year. Businesses benefit from brand exposure in a trusted, family-friendly environment, with repeated impressions that traditional advertising may not deliver.
Beyond visibility, sponsorship also builds goodwill. It aligns the business with school programs, youth development, and community support—all values that strengthen customer relationships. A well-presented sponsorship opportunity can offer logo placement, public announcements, and brand integration into pre-game or halftime content.
Varsity Scoreboards provides integration tools to help schools feature sponsors prominently and professionally. Digital displays allow rotating ads, animated logos, and event-specific promotions that help keep sponsor messaging fresh and engaging.
The Process of Identifying Ideal Sponsors
Successful sponsorship starts with knowing who to ask. The most likely supporters are already invested in the school community in some way—or have a strong reason to want to be.
Start by looking at:
- Existing school sponsors or donors
- Local businesses that advertise at school events or in athletic programs
- Alumni-owned businesses
- Parents or guardians who own or manage local companies
- Organizations that serve youth or families
Ask booster clubs, coaches, and staff for recommendations or introductions. Walk through your town and take note of businesses that already support community activities. Create a list and group potential sponsors by category—restaurants, service providers, retailers—and rank them by outreach priority.
Varsity Scoreboards can supply mockups and visuals that show how a business would appear on the finished scoreboard. These assets help start the conversation and demonstrate the real-world value of the opportunity.
The Components of a Successful Sponsorship Package
Businesses are more likely to say yes when the opportunity looks polished and professional. A clear, well-structured sponsorship package shows that you value their support and understand how to deliver a return on their investment.
Create a package with tiered options—such as Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels—each with defined benefits. These might include:
- Logo placement on the scoreboard or digital display
- Public mentions during games or events
- Sponsor slides during pre-game or halftime
- Social media shoutouts
- Invitations to special events
- Recognition in newsletters or printed programs
Include estimates of crowd size, number of events per season, and total impressions. Add a sample scoreboard layout that shows exactly where and how sponsor logos will appear. Be clear about the length of the sponsorship term and any recurring opportunities to renew or upgrade.
Varsity Scoreboards supports schools in developing these packages by offering branding design assistance, mockups, and ideas for how to structure deliverables that appeal to sponsors.
The Strategy for Approaching Sponsors Effectively
Reaching out to sponsors takes preparation and confidence. This isn’t a donation request—it’s a business proposal with real marketing benefits.
Start with a brief introductory email or phone call. Introduce yourself, mention the school and your role, and explain that you’re looking to partner with a few select local businesses to help fund a new scoreboard. Ask for a short meeting to share more details.
When you meet, focus on the value they’ll receive. Talk about brand visibility, audience demographics, community goodwill, and the chance to support student programs. Avoid leading with need—lead with opportunity.
Sample pitch language might include:
“We’re installing a new scoreboard at our stadium that will serve as a digital centerpiece for all major school events. We’re inviting a small group of local businesses to sponsor the display and be featured in front of hundreds of local families at every event.”
Follow up within a week if you don’t hear back. Be polite, professional, and persistent. Keep track of responses in a simple spreadsheet so you can organize follow-ups, contract stages, and sponsor tiers.
Varsity Scoreboards offers branded pitch templates and visual assets to help support these conversations. If a potential sponsor requests examples, you’ll be ready.
The Importance of Formal Agreements and Clear Expectations
Once a sponsor agrees to participate, it’s essential to document the agreement. A formal, written contract protects both sides and ensures clarity around expectations.
Your sponsorship agreement should include:
- A list of deliverables (logo placement, public mentions, digital ad slots)
- The timeframe of the agreement (e.g., one school year, two sports seasons)
- Payment terms or donation processing instructions
- Approval process for logos or creative assets
- What happens if the scoreboard installation is delayed or rescheduled
Having this information in writing builds credibility and prevents misunderstandings. It also helps school staff stay organized and fulfill each sponsor’s expectations on time.
Varsity Scoreboards works closely with schools to ensure sponsor visibility is accurate and consistent. Our digital systems make it easy to reflect those commitments clearly on screen, whether you’re rotating logos or displaying a full-screen sponsor message during halftime.
The Delivery of Value to Your Sponsors
Securing a sponsor is only the beginning. To build long-term relationships and encourage renewals, schools need to deliver value—and show appreciation.
After installation, take high-quality photos of the scoreboard in action. Share those images with sponsors and post them on school social media accounts, tagging sponsor pages where possible. Highlight their support publicly and often.
Provide periodic updates on the number of events hosted, estimated attendance, or reach metrics. At the end of the season or school year, consider sending a framed scoreboard photo, a thank-you letter from students or coaches, or a small gift recognizing their support.
Invite sponsors to events when possible and recognize them during opening ceremonies or public announcements. These small gestures go a long way toward reinforcing the partnership and increasing the likelihood of continued support.
Varsity Scoreboards makes it easy to spotlight sponsors through digital display tools. You can rotate sponsor messages, adjust timing, and update content at any time—keeping things fresh and ensuring visibility across every event.
The Path to a Sponsored Scoreboard
Sponsorships offer a powerful way to bring a scoreboard project to life—without stretching your school’s budget. With the right planning, a clear pitch, and consistent follow-through, your school can fund a professional-grade scoreboard while strengthening community ties.
When you treat sponsorships as marketing partnerships instead of donation requests, businesses are more likely to say yes. They see the value. They understand the reach. And they recognize the impact they can have on students, fans, and families.
Varsity Scoreboards doesn’t just deliver top-tier scoreboard systems. We help schools succeed in every phase of the project—from visual design to sponsor outreach. If you’re ready to start building your sponsor team, we’re ready to support you.
