Fencing Sponsorships

[CalFencer]

I'm the Community Relations Officer for my university fencing team and have been trying to get sponsors for the past 4 or 5 months. I have tried almost every major producer of fencing equipment and all the sponsors of USFA. All of them basically turned me down. Anyone out there actually have a sponsor(s)? Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[ELSEAL2]

Check out Craigslist.org. You may want to post your request there, possibly under "Community." The website has an incredibly wide audience. Before you do that, however, you may want to set up a separate temporary email address for the replies as you may get some responses unrelated to what you asked for.

Good luck! We could all use some sponsorship!

ES2

[prototoast]

Don't try to get advertising from fencing vendors. Fencers aren't enough of an audience for them to invest their money in you. See if you can get sponsored by something that appeals to non-fencers. Personally, I think they should abandon the uniform restrictions and have fencing go the way of cycling/nascar and just cover everything with as many advertisements as will fit. But the main problem with most fencing advertising as is, is that it's just from fencers for fencers. In order to really bring in money, you need to get the money from an outside source.

[Elemental]

Personally, I think they should abandon the uniform restrictions and have fencing go the way of cycling/nascar and just cover everything with as many advertisements as will fit.

I can just imagine how that would go.

"Mommy, why are those billboards fighting each other"

[prototoast]

I can just imagine how that would go.

"Mommy, why are those billboards fighting each other"

People don't seem to think it cheapens cycling. In fact, the usps cycling uniform is a big seller, even though the people who buy don't get any sponsorship support, and they often have to pay more to but such a uniform. The transition might be a little rough, but if growth is desired, outside money is required. Personally, I don't particularly care much if fencing increases in popularity or not (with the exception of having a few more competitions to go to... preferably a little closer to home).

[rtran]

Your best bet is to hit up alumni for money for equipment or donations from other well to do people in the fencing community. You're more likely to get your school to give you NCAA status then to get a official sponsor.

Another idea is to get your school's NCAA supplier and see if they'll supply you with some generic athletic eq (warmups, bags, etc)

[fluidfencer]

You might want to check with your university development (fundraising) office (could be part of alumni affairs if you have trouble finding them). Maybe they could help come up with ideas for events that could generate funds. If appropriate, they could help you secure a grant.

With regard to getting cash from a sponsor... very unlikely (unless you have connections like a student's parents, or alumni as was mentioned above, but I wouldn't expect much). It is MUCH more likely you can get products donated. Think through the types of things you need for the club (computer, paper, truck rental) and work on getting that product or service donated (that you are presumably now paying for).

I had an idea that I haven't had time to try. Have you seen the fundraiser where people are going to be locked up in a jail/cage if they don't raise enough money to pay "bail". I see it once in awhile in the professional community. What if you were to have a version of that, where people whould be challenged to a duel and had to raise moeny to hire a champion to fence in their place. Kind of odd, I know, but if you had some connections in the community, or maybe with professors, it could work quite well. I was thinking that the media would latch onto that story. Just a thought.