Securing Sponsorship in Grassroots Sport (and How Kit Funder Can Help)

Our guide on how to attract sponsors, build partnerships, and support your club’s growth – plus a shortcut using Kit Funder, our AI sponsorship matchmaker.

Sponsorship is one of the strongest ways to help your local sports club grow – from youth football and community cricket to after-school netball and multi-sport clubs. This guide covers how to find sponsors, why sponsorship matters, and includes a free sponsorship request letter you can use right away.

And if you’d like the process done for you, we’ll also show you how Kit Funder can match your club with potential sponsors automatically.

Why Sponsorship Matters in Grassroots Sport

Most grassroots clubs are run by volunteers, but they still need money and resources to survive. A good sponsorship can cover kit costs, league fees, equipment, training venues, and even travel.

A great sponsorship becomes a long-term partner in your club’s journey – offering funding, visibility, and community support for both sides. Thousands of UK businesses already sponsor grassroots sport; it boosts their brand while backing something meaningful in their local community. (myclubgroup.com)

Benefits of Grassroots Sponsorship for Clubs & Businesses

For Clubs:

Even one season of sponsorship can make a big difference:

• Financial support for kit, travel, tournament entry, or equipment
• Better local visibility and credibility
• Stronger relationships with your community and local businesses
• Professional-looking kit that attracts new players and reassures parents

(We can help with the kit part – that’s what My Club does every day.)

For Sponsors:

For businesses, grassroots sponsorship is a powerful form of advertising and community engagement:

• Brand awareness on kits, banners, social media, and websites
• Positive PR and goodwill from supporting local sport
• Deeper loyalty from club members and families
• Treated as a marketing expense that can qualify for tax relief when set up correctly

Sometimes, what starts as a local kit sponsorship grows into a long-term partnership across multiple teams, age groups, or even regions.

How to Find Sponsors for Your Club (The Traditional Way)

If you’re doing this manually, here’s a simple process you can follow.

1. Build a List of Potential Sponsors

Start with people and businesses close to your club:

• Independent shops and businesses near your pitch or venue
• Employers of your players, parents, and coaches
• Companies already sponsoring other clubs in your league
• Local trades, cafés, gyms, estate agents, car dealerships, or family-run brands

2. Create a Simple Sponsorship Proposal

Put together a short, clear one-pager explaining:

• Who you are (club history, teams, age groups, location)
• What you’re asking for (amount, kit, equipment, travel, etc.)
• What the sponsor will get in return:
  • Logo placement (front-of-shirt, sleeve, back, shorts, training wear)
  • Mentions at matches, events, and on social media
  • Access to your audience (players, parents, supporters, social followers)
• Any media coverage or existing social reach you already have
• How the partnership supports the local community or a specific group (e.g. girls’ football, disability sport, youth in deprived areas) (myclubgroup.com)

3. Send a Custom Request Letter

Avoid generic mass emails. Choose a business, do a bit of research, and send a tailored message.

You can use the template below and customise it for each sponsor.

Sponsorship Request Letter Template

Subject: Local Sponsorship Opportunity – [Your Club Name]

Hi [Sponsor Name],

I hope you’re well. I’m writing on behalf of [Club Name], a local [sport] club based in [location].

We’re currently looking for sponsors to support our [2025 season / new kit / upcoming tournament]. We’re proud to be part of the local community and provide opportunities for [e.g. “young people aged 8–16” or “women’s sport in the borough”].

We believe [Business Name] would be a great fit as a sponsor. In return for your support, we can offer:

• Logo placement on our kit
• Visibility at matches, community events, and on social media
• A strong, positive connection with hundreds of local families

We’re seeking sponsorship of £[amount] to help cover [brief reason, e.g. “new custom kit for the upcoming season”].

We’d be delighted to feature [Business Name] as our official kit sponsor and promote your support across our community. I’ve attached a one-page sponsorship proposal with more detail, and I’d really appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with you.

Thank you for considering us.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Role at the Club]

[Email / Phone Number]

[Club Website or Social Media]

Or… Let Kit Funder Find Sponsors For You

If building lists, sending letters, and chasing replies feels like a lot of work, there’s now a smarter option. Kit Funder is our new AI-powered sponsorship matchmaker that connects clubs with companies who want to fund grassroots sport. It’s built on the same NAIMS (National AI Matching Sponsorship) technology we’ve developed to intelligently match local businesses with clubs using data like location, sport, budget, and objectives.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create your free club profile on Kit Funder
   • Share your teams, age groups, location, and what you need help with (e.g. kit costs, equipment, tournaments).
2. Tell us what you can offer sponsors
   • Things like logo placement on kit, social shout-outs, matchday banners, and community impact.
3. Our AI matches you with potential sponsors
   • Companies tell us what kind of clubs they want to support – location, sport, budget, community focus. Kit Funder uses AI to match them with clubs like yours.
4. You review and connect
   • When there’s a potential match, you’ll be notified so you can decide whether to follow up, chat, and take things forward.

Instead of knocking on doors one by one, you plug into a growing network of companies that actively want to sponsor grassroots sport.

Get matched with sponsors on Kit Funder

FAQs

How do I find a sponsor for my grassroots team?

You can still follow the traditional route: identify local businesses, create a simple proposal, and approach them personally. That works well for many clubs.

If you’d like to increase your chances, you can also register your club on Kit Funder so your details are visible to businesses across the UK looking to sponsor grassroots sport. (myclubgroup.com)

How much should I ask a sponsor for?

It depends on your needs and level. As a rough guide:

• Kit sponsorship: £250–£2,000+ (depending on age group, quantities, and visibility)
• Matchday or training sponsor: £100–£500
• Tournament entry or travel support: £200–£1,000

Offering a few options (e.g. Bronze / Silver / Gold) makes it easier for businesses with different budgets to say yes. (myclubgroup.com)

Can I have more than one sponsor?

Yes. Many clubs have:

• A main front-of-shirt sponsor
• Secondary sponsors on sleeves, back, shorts or training kit
• Additional partners for events, tournaments, or social media

Just be clear about what each sponsor gets and avoid clashes (e.g. two direct competitors on the same kit).

What’s the best way to approach a potential sponsor?

• Send a short, tailored email or drop in with a printed letter
• Explain who you are, what you’re asking for, and what’s in it for them
• Follow up a few days later – persistence (done politely) really helps

If you’re on Kit Funder, some of this work is done for you: businesses can see your club profile and what you offer at a glance, before you even speak.

Should we offer social media exposure?

Definitely. Every business, especially smaller ones, values digital visibility. Offer:

• Regular posts highlighting their support
• Tags in team announcements and match reports
• Stories, reels, or highlights showing players wearing their logo
• Naming rights for specific campaigns or fun events

Have a few examples ready to show them how it looks in practice.

Can we feature a sponsor on our kit?

Absolutely – it’s the most visible asset you have.

You can offer:

• Front-of-shirt sponsor (premium spot)
• Sleeve, back, or shorts sponsors (secondary positions)
• Training or warm-up kit sponsors

At My Club, we design kits with sponsor logos integrated from the start, so the final result looks professional and consistent. You can start your design here.

Let Kit Funder and My Club Help You Land That Sponsor

At My Club, we’ve helped thousands of teams look the part with fully custom kit. With Kit Funder, we’re now also helping clubs find the businesses who want to put their logo on that kit.

• Use Kit Funder to get matched with potential sponsors
• Use My Club to design and supply your sponsored kit

Next steps for your club:

1. Register your club on Kit Funder
   • Visit kitfunder.ai and create your profile.
2. Create or update your sponsorship proposal
   • Use the template above and adjust it to match what you offer.
3. Design your dream kit
   • Start your kit design with sponsor space ready to go: Design your kit with My Club