From services as seemingly small as providing meals during pageant week to partnerships as elaborate as car dealership sponsors, pageant organizations are working to collaborate—locally and nationally—to keep scholarships plentiful and needs met. But it's not always easy to ask for help, whether in the form of cash or in kind. And knowing where to look for willing contributors could be a mystery in itself. There are a few key steps organizations could take to secure sponsorships and prolong the life of the pageant organization.

Know what is needed.
Open-ended requests often intimidate potential sponsors. Miss Kansas Pageant President of the Board of Directors Lisa Perez Miller suggests making a list of everything needed, from the most simple to the most detailed, so sponsors could see exactly what is being asked of them. And don’t forget to include donations of time.

Do your research.
Sponsors might support causes that align with MAO. Seek out those with similar missions to your pageant organization, and strike a chord in the name of teamwork and partnership for furthering those issues. 

Put in the time.
Make an appointment to meet with potential sponsors. Sit down and get to know each other, Miller says; that way, they’ll better understand the organization and the organization could become familiar with the potential sponsor. “There may not be anything mentioned about the ask in the first conversation, but … you could find out where you can make a connection.”  

Network.
It’s all about who you know—especially when it comes to “making the ask.” Miss Michigan Scholarship Program Executive Director Shelley Taylor suggests always keeping one ear to the ground, as you never know when an opportunity to make a connection might come your way. “Whenever we’re traveling and meeting people, often one things leads to another.” 

Believe in the organization.
The way you portray your organization is the impression potential sponsors will have. Taylor, who has been involved in MAO for thirty-five years, has no problem promoting the organization to anyone who will listen. “When you’re sold on a product, so to speak, it’s pretty easy to talk that up.” Tell potential sponsors about the benefits of your organization—and let them know how their contribution, cash or otherwise, will help extend the livelihood of your program. 

Read the full article in fourpoints magazine! 

Written by: Erika Fifelski, fourpoints staff writer