9700D  - SPONSORSHIP GUIDE

PURPOSE  

The purpose of this guide is to provide information regarding the sponsorship opportunities within the School  District of Jefferson and the process by which interested parties can take advantage of those opportunities. These sponsorship opportunities are a way for businesses to gain exposure in the community, for individuals to dedicate a specific facility that holds a special place for them, or even for an organization to assist the district in achieving its academic goals. There are many varied and valuable opportunities contained within this guide; however, these are not the only opportunities available. If you have a sponsorship idea outside of this guide, please submit a proposal to the Director of Business Services (contact information below).  

CONTACT  

For more information, or if you have questions regarding sponsorships in the School District of Jefferson, please contact:

Ryan Bandt, Director of Business Services 

School District of Jefferson, 206 S. Taft Avenue, Jefferson, WI 53549 

Phone: 920.675.1044 • E-mail: bandtr@sdoj.org 

PUBLIC RECORDS  

Please note that all documents, e-mail correspondence, etc., related to any sponsorship proposal or agreement are public records and available to anyone who may inquire under the State of Wisconsin Open Records Law. The District will maintain an updated listing of all currently sponsored areas and share a Sponsorship report to the Board annually.

PROCESS  

1. The prospective sponsor shall contact the Director of Business Services regarding the interested sponsorship (contact information above). A copy of the advertisement, logo, or sample marketing materials must be submitted for consideration.
   The funds with the prospective sponsor’s selected package will be designated as “Unreserved” unless mutually agreed upon by both parties.

   1. Reserved: The prospective sponsor desires that the sponsorship funds be used only for the program or facility associated with the sponsorship (e.g., Funds from sponsorship on a softball scoreboard would benefit the softball facility and scoreboard maintenance).  

   2. Unreserved: The prospective sponsor does not desire to designate how the funds from the sponsorship will be used. These funds would then be distributed for projects or programs throughout the district.

2. Theprospective sponsor shall meet with the Director of Business Services or their designee, along with other pertinent District staff, prior to better understand the sponsor’s proposal and intentions.  

3. The Advisory Committee will meet as needed to approve or deny the requested sponsorship and attached materials. Agreements totaling more than $20,000 will be forwarded to the School Board for approval upon the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. Should the  Advisory Committee be unable to render a decision or there are unique considerations, the District Administrator shall be consulted for his/her opinion on how the proposal shall be handled. Should multiple prospective sponsors select the same sponsorship opportunity, the Committee may consider the applications on a first-come, first-served basis if all other factors are equal.  

4. Once the agreement has been reviewed and accepted, the sponsor will be contacted to execute the agreement, pay all deposits or fees due, and provide any other materials or information the District may need to implement the sponsorship.  

5. Once the agreement has been executed and all fees have been received, the District will begin the process of implementing the agreed-upon sponsorship. 

6. Sponsors with logo/branding changes are required to cover the cost of updating sponsorship materials.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP  

The Advisory Committee shall comprise the Director of Business Services, the Building Administrator (of the applicable building), and the District Administrator or designee. The Athletic Director shall be a member of all athletic sponsorships. The Director of Curriculum & Instruction shall participate in the Academic and Arts sponsorships. 

The committee may also include other stakeholders such as advisors, staff members, Board members (up to 2), Chamber of Commerce members, booster club members, etc.

DEFINITION OF TERMS  

DONATIONS -See Grants and Gifts below. 

FUNDRAISING – PARENTS/GUARDIANS 

There is no specific School Board policy about parent-operated fundraisers. If parents, an outside group, or an organization is planning to do a fundraiser specifically to help a school, the fundraiser must be approved by the school administration in advance of the activity.  

FUNDRAISING - STUDENTS(Board Policy 5830 - STUDENT FUND-RAISING)

Student fundraisers are specific to fundraisers endorsed by the school through a school club or organization.  The monies collected and profits are for a particular club or organization. 

GRANTS AND GIFTS FROM PRIVATE SOURCES (Reference Board Policies 7230 - GIFTS, GRANTS, AND BEQUESTS &  9700.01 - ADVERTISING AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES) 

A donation, grant, or gift is different than a sponsorship. It must be understood that the School Board has the right to accept or deny a gift or a grant. The donor (whether through a donation or a gift) may be recognized by the School Board if a donation form is filled out. The donor (whether through a donation, gift, or grant) does not benefit through advertisement at school or a school-related event. 

SPONSORSHIPS (Refer to Board Policy 9700.02 - SPONSORSHIP POLICY)

Sponsorship is defined as a person, company, business, corporation, or other entity providing money to support the District, its school, school activities, etc., in return for the sponsor receiving an acknowledgment by the District or school. Sponsorship offers an opportunity for the sponsor to receive recognition; however, the sponsor is not required to advertise. Sponsorship is limited to a time frame as outlined in the agreement. 

SPONSHIPSHIP - LIMITED-TERM NAMING RIGHTS 

Limited-term naming rights are different than commemorations (Reference Board Policy 7250). While sponsors may have an area named after them for a period of time as an acknowledgment of a sponsor’s contribution,  permanent naming rights requests will not be accepted under these guidelines. For example, the “Fischer” Field baseball diamond is a permanent commemorated title. If a party chooses to sponsor the baseball complex for a period of time, the field would be referred to as “Fischer Field at the SPONSOR NAME Baseball Complex.”  

STUDENT BODY ACTIVITY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT(Board Policy 6611 - DISTRICT-SUPPORTED/SPONSORED STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS) 

Monies raised by student fundraisers and monies deposited into a student activity account are governed through this particular board policy. Student activity accounts are specific to clubs, organizations, or specific sports teams.

SIGNAGE GUIDELINES 

WHAT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED 

Examples of inappropriate signage include, but are not limited to, a description of services or products, business contact information, and advertising language such as coupons, special offers, or slogans.

Jill’s Jewelry  

“The best gems in town!”

310-555-4444 • 123 Sunshine Lane

Jillsjewelry@emailme.com 

Captain Can

For all your marketing and printing needs! 

Mention this banner for 25% off captaincan@emailme.com

WHAT WILL BE ALLOWED 

Examples of appropriate signage that do not include advertising information and only serve to recognize and thank  the sponsor are as follows:

Bright One’s Elementary School

Thanks Our Back to School Night Supporters!

Captain Can and Jill’s Jewelry

Thank you-
Jill’s Jewelry  

For your support! 
Bright One’s Elementary School 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

ACADEMIC SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Academic Sponsorship opportunities allow an area to be referred to using the sponsor’s name for the sponsorship term. Example: The Jefferson High School “Sponsor” Construction Lab.

• Each area will allow a plaque/signage indicating the sponsor as outlined in the agreement in each of the areas being sponsored (Classroom, Lab, Pod, Library, etc.) for the term of the agreement. (Sponsors with logo/branding changes are required to cover the cost of updating sponsorship materials.)
• Website/ social media presence on appropriate channels may also be included.
• Any announcements regarding an event at the venue would utilize the sponsor’s name. 

In instances with multiple spaces or buildings, the sponsor will select the area or building to sponsor.

OTHER ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES: 

• Purchasing a classroom set of Chromebooks or other technology labeled indicating the sponsor (at cost)
  • Devices purchased are jointly selected by the sponsor, teacher, and/or building administration
• Upgrade a classroom or grade level’s classroom library with books labeled indicating the sponsor (at cost)
  • Items purchased are jointly selected by the sponsor, teacher, and/or building administration
• The District is open to other ideas sponsors may present. Fees negotiable

ATHLETIC SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Athletic Sponsorship opportunities allow an area to be referred to using the sponsor’s name for the sponsorship term. Example: The Jefferson High School “Sponsor” Stadium. 

• Each area will allow a plaque/signage indicating the sponsor as outlined in the agreement in each of the venues being sponsoredfor the term of the agreement. (Sponsors with logo/branding changes are required to cover the cost of updating sponsorship materials)

OTHER SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorship opportunities allow an area to be referred to using the sponsor’s name for the sponsorship term. Example: The Jefferson High School “Sponsor” Commons.

• Each area will allow a plaque/signage indicating the sponsor as outlined in the agreement in each of the areas being sponsored (Commons, playground etc.) for the term of the agreement. (Sponsors with logo/branding changes are required to cover the cost of updating sponsorship materials)
• Website/ social media presence on appropriate channels may also be included.
• Any announcements regarding an event at the venue would utilize the sponsor’s name. 

In instances with multiple spaces or buildings, the sponsor will select the area or building to sponsor.

© School District of Jefferson