How to Get Sponsors for Events in 2025: The Complete US Event Organizer’s Guide

Introduction - The State of Event Sponsorship in 2025

Event sponsorship in 2025 looks very different than it did 5 years ago. The days where a host could throw a brand on a paper banner or their name on the event and call it a day no longer exist. Nowadays, sponsors want measurable ROI, engaged audiences, and seamless integration into the event experience.

Securing sponsorships remains one of the top challenges for event organizations, yet the market continues to grow rapidly - sponsors deeply desire to sponsor the right events. They want authentic engagement, the ability to derive data-driven insights, and a noticeable impact. 

This guide will walk you through securing sponsorships in today’s day and age. You’ll learn how to identify potential partners, create compelling packages, craft effective outreach, and leverage tools like DoorList’s Branded Events to connect with sponsors who genuinely want to invest in your success.

Why Sponsors Matter + Your Value Prop

Sponsorships can provide value to events in many different ways, whether that be supplementing your budget to elevating the event experience. They bring credibility, expand the reach of the event, and often provide resources that a host may not have had access to otherwise.

So, what do hosts offer to sponsors? Your event’s value isn’t simply the number of attendees or a charity case. Here are some of the key value drivers sponsors care about:

1. Targeted audience access - Are attendees decision-makers, students, or professionals in a certain industry?

2. Engagement depth - How long and how frequently do attendees interact with event content?

3. Brand alignment - Does your event’s mission match their values?

4. Data and insights - Can you offer valuable data that can  prove ROI or other analytics to the sponsor?

Before considering what sponsors to bring on to support an event, consider what your event has to offer the sponsor. Clarity about your own event and the ability to communicate that to sponsors will prove crucial during this process.

How to Find Sponsors

Once you’ve established the value of your event, start exploring where to find sponsors who strongly align with your purpose and audience.

Where to find potential sponsors:

1. Local businesses - For campus or community events, local brands often want visibility with your audience. Bars, restaurants, and retailers near your venue are natural fits.

2. Industry-aligned brands - Hosting a social event? Approach lifestyle or CPG brands aiming to earn the attention of an outgoing audience. The tighter the alignment, the easier the pitch.

3. Past sponsors - If you've hosted events before, previous sponsors are your warmest leads. They already understand your value.

4. Similar events - Look at similar events in your space. Who sponsors them? Their sponsors might be interested in scaling their exposure.

5. Digital platforms - Tools like DoorList's Branded Events connect event hosts directly with brands looking for sponsorship opportunities, removing the lift from hosts.

How to Approach Sponsors

After selecting several potential sponsors or brands, craft a personalized and concise outreach message that immediately communicates the value of your event. Here’s an example:

Subject: Partnership Opportunity: [Your Event Name] on [Date]

Hi [Name],

I'm organizing [Event Name] on [Date] and wanted to reach out about a potential partnership. Our event will bring together [number] [description of attendees] who align perfectly with [Company Name]'s audience.

What we're offering:

• [Key deliverable 1: e.g., "Logo placement on event page with 5,000+ views"]

• [Key deliverable 2: e.g., "Digital ad seen by all 500+ attendees"]

• [Key deliverable 3: e.g., "Social media features to our 10K followers"]

We have several sponsorship tiers available, starting at [lowest price point]. I'd love to send over our full sponsorship package or jump on a quick 15-minute call to discuss how we can help [Company Name] reach [specific goal—e.g., "college students interested in sustainability"].

Are you available for a brief call this week?

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Info]

Pro tip: Research the company before sending. Mention a recent campaign, product launch, or value they care about to show you've done your homework.

If you’re looking for inspiration of companies to reach out to, check out this list: Best Companies to Approach for Sponsorships. 

Creating Winning Packages

Sponsors want options that fit their goals and incentives for sponsoring events - one-size-fits-all often doesn’t work.

Standard sponsorship tier structure:

Presenting/Title Sponsor ($$$) - Maximum visibility: brand name in event title, logo on all materials, speaking opportunity, premium digital placement

Gold Sponsor ($$) - High visibility: logo on event pages and emails, booth space, digital ad placement, social media features

Silver/Bronze Sponsor ($) - Solid exposure: logo on website, name in communications, digital ad placement

The key to effective packages: Be specific about deliverables. Don't say "brand visibility"—say "logo placement on an event landing page (10,000+ monthly views), 3 social media posts to 5,000 followers, and a digital ad on 500+ event RSVPs."

Digital sponsorship opportunities are increasingly valuable:

• Branded content in event app or platform

• Digital ads on event pages and confirmations

• Virtual booth or sponsored sessions for hybrid events

• Exclusive attendee data access (with permission)

Modern sponsors often prefer digital placements because they're measurable. You can track impressions, clicks, and engagement—providing clear ROI data.

DoorList's Branded Events Solution

This is where DoorList changes the game for event organizers looking to monetize through sponsorships.

DoorList's Branded Events feature connects event hosts directly with brands who want to reach your audience. Instead of cold emailing dozens of companies, you can hand-pick sponsors for your event in seconds.

How it works:

Benefits for event organizers: When you create an event on DoorList, you can choose brand offers for placement on the event’s landing page. The brand places digital ads directly on your event page - reaching attendees exactly when they're most engaged (while viewing event details, RSVPing, or checking in).

• Direct brand connections - No middleman, no lengthy negotiations

• Digital ad placements - Sponsors get visibility on your event page

• Simplified process - Built into your existing event management workflow

• Better targeting - Brands find events that match their audience goals

• Measurable results - Both you and sponsors can track ad performance

Why this matters: Traditional sponsorship hunting is time-consuming and often falls through. DoorList's Branded Events feature makes sponsorship accessible - especially for smaller events that might not have dedicated sponsorship staff. You focus on creating great events; brands come to you.

Plus, since thousands of hosts are already using DoorList for ticketing, guest lists, and check-ins, adding sponsorship revenue becomes seamless. One platform for all your event needs.

Real Example: Berkeley TKE x Hily

Berkeley's Tau Kappa Epsilon used DoorList's Branded Events to connect with Hily, a dating app targeting college students. Hily placed a digital ad on their 1,000-person party event page.

Results: 696 RSVPs, 10,858 event page views, and 301 clicks to Hily's brand, generating sponsorship revenue without any cold outreach or proposal creation.

The win: TKE monetized their event effortlessly while Hily reached their exact target audience. The entire partnership happened through the platform they were already using for guest lists and check-ins.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Securing sponsorships in 2025 doesn't have to be complicated. Focus on understanding your event's unique value, finding aligned sponsors, creating clear packages with digital opportunities, and leveraging tools that streamline the process.

Your action plan:

1. Define your event's value proposition

2. Identify 5-10 potential sponsors aligned with your audience

3. Create tiered sponsorship packages with specific deliverables

4. Use DoorList's Branded Events to connect with sponsors directly

Ready to start monetizing your events through sponsorships? Explore DoorList's Branded Events feature and discover how easy it can be to connect with brands who want to invest in your success.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I reach out to sponsors?
Start 3-6 months before your event. Corporate sponsors may need 6-12 months due to annual budget cycles. Smaller or digital sponsors can work with 2-3 months notice. DoorList Branded Events can be added instantaneously and at any point of the event preparation.

What types of sponsors should I target?
Focus on companies whose customers match your attendees, brands that sponsor similar events, and digital-first companies seeking measurable online exposure.

How do I prove ROI to sponsors?
Give specific numbers: "Your logo gets 10,000 views on our event page" instead of vague promises. After the event, send a report with attendance, impressions, and engagement data.

What's the difference between traditional and digital sponsorship?
Traditional = physical presence (banners, booths). Digital = online visibility (event page ads, app features, social posts). Most 2025 sponsors want both, with emphasis on digital since it's trackable.

Can small events attract sponsors?
Yes! Small events offer targeted audiences and high engagement. Focus on local businesses and platforms like DoorList's Branded Events that connect niche events with interested brands.