Looking for prizes for a competition, giveaways for event, or freebies for a collective? Talk to the Events team as Sponsorship might be what you're looking for.

We have a database of 100s of clients who have supported UMSU before and can help you source free food/drinks, cool prizes, vouchers, supplies for your event or personal hygiene products for your autonomous space. 

What is a sponsorship? 

Broadly, sponsorship can come in two forms.  

In-Kind sponsorship: where the sponsor will provide you with a product or service free of charge. This could be a variety of things from food, drinks, tickets, vouchers, or even printing for programs and flyers. 

Monetary: where a sponsor will pay to for the inclusion of their product or service at event or space. 

In return, what you offer to sponsors is the chance for their brand to be present at an event and reach a wide audience. With both in-kind and monetary sponsorship they may want a variety of different things in return, from photos of the product being handed out, to posts on social media, or even logo on promo material. As this varies so widely from sponsor to sponsor it is important to include Events from the beginning of the sponsorship process so we can make sure both you and the external company are getting an honest deal. 

How do I get sponsorship? 

Submit a Help Desk Request with whatever details and questions you have. Things to include: 

  • What/when is your event?

  • Do you know what item's you'd like?

  • Have you got a company in mind? (Check out approved businesses on the Ethical Register) 

  • Quantity – How many people will be at your event? win your giveaway?  

How A&S will help you: 

  • Suggesting, contacting and negotiating

  • Seeking ethical approval. Find out more about the Ethical Register.

  • Ensuring the agreement complies with relevant UMSU policy 

  • Preparing a Memorandum of Understanding (contract) 

Timeline 

Sponsorship requests are more likely to be successful with a longer lead time. We recommend allowing at least 6 weeks from submitting your Help Desk Request to the delivery of sponsorship/giveaways.   

Purchasing Prizes

If that process is unavailable then all departments are able to go purchase their own prizes / giveaways

Remember: 

  • The business must be approved on the Ethical Register. 

  • DON’T USE BRAND NAMES. Only use generic terms when promoting prizes that you’ve purchased (eg “bubble tea vouchers”, not “Gong Cha vouchers”). Naming brands is external promotion and UMSU departments can only promote brands if A&S have organised a sponsorship contract. 

  • If it's a prize giveaway don't forget to add the Terms and Conditions to your copy or survey.

Someone wants to give me a free stuff or partner an event?

So, a company has contacted your department offering freebies, giveaways, sponsorship or partnership on an event. That’s great! 

Always talk to Advertising & Sponsorship (A&S) about this first before making any commitments to the company. 

If you are approached by a potential sponsor or promoter: 

If you are contacted by a potential promoter, please jump on Help Desk to get in touch with A&S immediately.  

There are a range of policies that any form of external promotion, partnership or sponsorship at UMSU must abide by. All sponsors need to meet the Advertising Terms and Conditions and be approved by the Ethical Committee. A&S will collaborate with you to ensure everything is above board and you don’t encounter any legal problems.  

Be sure not to accept any form of sponsorship or giveaways without approval. 

Examples of when you need to speak to A&S: 

  • Someone has sent you an email saying they want to send your department some free vouchers or products. 

  • Your department receives an email requesting to partner up at an event. 

  • An organisation asks you to share their post on socials. 

  • A company asks if they can put a poster up at your stall.  

  • A group wants you to join them on an event and cobrand the event