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Looking for companies that sponsor individual athletes, like you? I'll show you 27 possible opportunities, plus how to uncover hundreds more.
Are you looking for companies that will sponsor individuals so that you can work in your area of passion, compete in sports, or afford to do what you've been wanting to?
Have you ever wanted to score free sponsored swag just for being alive, like reality television stars or Beyoncé?
You know, where companies send you free, lucrative products just because you're so cool and they'll hope you spread the word about it?
I've had a small glimpse into this world just because I'm a blogger and companies want me to review their products.
Every so often I take them up on the offer and score things like "free" luxury pillows ("free" in quotations because it takes my time to write a review), free books, free tickets, free movie pre-screenings, free cowboy boots, etc.
Each time I score a cool sponsor, I've wondered, "yeah but, how can my readers enjoy some cool swag like this, or cash in on a sponsorship deal, without owning a blog?"
In other words, are there companies that sponsor individuals?
That's the intent behind this post.
Hacks to Help You Find Companies Wanting to Sponsor (for Free)
Aside from scanning the various sponsorship opportunities on this page, I wanted to give you some hacks to help you find a sponsor for free, by yourself.
Pro Tip #1: You’ll want to create an excel or Google Sheets document for yourself to keep track of each of the sponsorship opportunities you uncover in this article, and while doing your own searches.
Find a Sponsor for Free
Hack #1: If you're going to take the time to send out sponsorship proposals, then you'd rather find companies most likely to sponsor, right?
Do that by scanning the thank you pages, media pages, and newsroom pages of athletes, non-profit organizations, artists, or whatever category of people who are like you, to find the companies that sponsor them.
Write down each of the sponsors in your excel sheet, because these are companies that have already shown they’re willing to sponsor individuals.
You want to follow-up with this list when you start out trying to find sponsorship for either yourself, or for an event.
Hack #2: Complete the following Google Search: "company’s name + sponsorship" (you can also use any of the keywords below).
You can also use the word “ambassador”. Another search is "sponsored athlete application", which should quickly show you results of companies with athlete sponsorship applications.
Hack #3: Got a company in mind or a category of companies you’d like to check into for sponsorship?
Go to their websites and look on their press release, press, or newsroom pages for information on the good works and sponsorships they’re doing.
This will give you an idea of whether or not they do the type of sponsorship you’re looking for, and how to get in touch with them.
Hack #4: Look over the listed sponsors that have completed actual deals on sponsorship websites, such as this page on SponsorPitch.
You can quickly see an active sponsorship companies list, which is better than cold-calling or cold-emailing a company you aren't sure has a history of sponsorships or not.
Companies that Sponsor Individual Athletes
Looking for companies that sponsor individual athletes? Getting sponsorships is partly how Olympian athletes get paid to train and can afford to work on their craft for a living.
But don’t worry; there are plenty of individual athlete sponsorships available for people who are not on the level of an Olympian athlete (or even close).
Businesses that Sponsor Athletes
These are companies that like to sponsor athletes:
1. HeadSweats.com: Head Sweats will respond to your sponsorship request within 72 hours. Athletes need to apply to be an ambassador before applying for sponsorship, and applications are reviewed between October and November.
2. Red Bull: Red Bull has a current list of individual athletes they sponsor here, and they’re accepting applications from athletes across the world for new sponsorships.
3. Infinit Nutrition: Willing to market the Infinit Nutrition brand? While they only sponsor a select number of elite athletes each year, if that doesn't describe you, check out their Ambassador program. Through that program, you can earn a commission on any Infinit products you sell through your referral link.
4. Professional’s Choice: This manufacturer of equine products sponsors a list of horse trainers and horsemen. They do not have an application, but you can contact them through their endorsements page.
5. Merrell: Merrell sponsors a handful of individuals and families. Their ambassadors live and promote an outdoors lifestyle.
6. Red H Nutrition: Become a team athlete ambassador, and supplement your income to be able to live while training.
7. State Farm: State Farm Insurance recently announced they’ve sponsored their first individual athlete. Could be a good opportunity to apply to be their second!
8. Alpha Wear Fitness: Apply for a Sponsored Athlete Position.
9. Optimum Nutrition: Pro-level fitness models and athletes are welcome to apply for a sponsorship with these guys.
Platforms Filled with Companies that Sponsor Athletes
Want to get exposure to hundreds or thousands of sponsoring companies at the same time?
There are platforms where companies looking for sponsorship opportunities lurk.
Check out the Sports Sponsorship platforms below, which help you gain exposure, make deals, and do the actual transactions. You should know there is generally a transaction fee on any athletic sponsorships gained (but signing up is typically free).
Sports Sponsorship Platforms:
- OpenSponsorship.com: Register as an athlete (team, or event) on this site, and you gain exposure to over 1,000 companies specifically looking to sponsor athletes.
- SponsorPark: Again, list use this sponsorship platform to create your sponsorship proposal one time, and get it seen by hundreds or thousands of companies looking to sponsor individuals.
Alternative ideas for athletes to raise money include crowdsourcing for athletes, and fiscal sponsorship.
Psst: while you're waiting to score all those company sponsorships? Check out these 37 ways to for how to earn extra money at home, fast.
Artist Sponsorship Opportunities
Looking for artist sponsorships opportunities, and companies that sponsor the arts?
- Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant: This foundation offers a grant to young, emerging artists, and has already given out 1800 grants to artists in over 40 countries. Your first grant can be in the amount of CAD $15,000, and subsequent grants in the amount of $18,000 each (you can get three grants over your lifetime). You must be working in a “representational style of painting, drawing, sculpture or printmaking”.
- National Parks Artist in Residence Program: The National Parks organization offers programs for visual artists, writers, musicians, and other creative media that range between 2 and 4 weeks in length. You have to apply individually to each park (use this link to find the information), and most parks offer free lodging.
Also, here are 27 writing residencies that will “sponsor” individuals for various lengths of time to write and work on their art.
Are you a Mama Artist/Writer? I've got a list of artist residences and writer residences that will give you a stipend to pay towards childcare!
- Family Residency on SPACE Ryder Farm: This is for female playwrights, and your kids (ages 3-12)! While you work, kids participate in nature-focused arts programming.
- Here's an impressive list of opportunities for family artists/writers/etc. to find stipends and residencies for families.
I've also uncovered 5 opportunities for you to gain sponsors + swag for your awesome life (without having to blog, or without having to be an athlete/artist, etc. ).
Individual Sponsorship Opportunity #1: Host a Party
Parties are the engine of Word-of-Mouth marketing, so it makes sense to have companies willing to sponsor events by providing free swag to you + your guests.
My sister, a non-blog owner, has scored some pretty sweet swag for hosting a party themed around a particular product. She got to have guests come over and enjoy themselves, plus everyone went home with free stuff, including things like individual servings of dog food (like, 20 of them!) plus doggie plates to give out and coupons for almost-free products t hand out.
Source free swag for your party through companies willing to sponsor events:
- HouseParty.com: You get to apply for various Party Packs from sponsors like Oreo, Kikkoman, and Burt's Bees. You invite your friends over, post some photos of the shindig on social media, and everyone leaves having had a good time + with some free party favors.
- MomsMeet.com: Get sent free samples of products to use at playdates or other Mom meetups!
- MomSelect.com: Same deal here, you can get free samples of products to share with other Moms when you meet up with them.
Individual Sponsorship Opportunity #2: Write a Review
It turns out that you willing to write a review means you could score lots of free swag.
It turns out that you willing to write a review means you could score lots of free swag. Share on XThere are companies out there that exist solely to find people to get a product and leave a review about it. Many of them are tied to Amazon.com, so it's helpful if you're a Prime member so that you can receive free shipping instead of having to pay for it.
Here are two sites to get you started:
Psst: these kinds of sites really make you think about all those Amazon reviews you see! However, I know from personal experience that with Snagshout at least, you have to put a disclaimer in your review saying that you received the product for free or at a discount in exchange for a review.
Individual Sponsorship Opportunity #3: Become a Panel Member
There are opportunities for you to become a panel member for companies − such as the L'oréal Consumer Participation Program and McCormick Consumer Testing − that will send you products to test out and give your opinion on.
A good way to do this is to use Swagbucks to search for "a product or company you're in love with" + "Consumer Panel ".
Individual Sponsorship Opportunity #4: Be a Social Media Butterfly
The last opportunity I'd like to show you today is for you social media butterflies. If you're on Facebook or twitter, or other places where people hang out, then you're in the position to score some free products.
BzzAgent is probably the best known site for this, where you get products in exchange for leaving reviews on your social media accounts. You'll need to complete surveys in order to determine if you're the right demographic for the product, fyi.
Another company to check out is Influenster.com.
Individual Sponsorship Opportunity #5: Put a Banner On It
Have you ever seen a car at the red light that had an advertisement on it? Perhaps as a magnetic banner?
Besides people like Mary Kay consultants, there are actual companies who will pay you to turn your morning and afternoon commutes into a commercial.
Companies are looking for people like you.
And who are "people like you"? Well, you need to have things like a driver's license, a clean driving record, and probably commute a lot of miles in high-traffic areas.
I mean, what a cool way to get your gas bill paid for you! Or how about money towards your car payment? I'd totally sign up...but they probably don't want my rust bucket of a beater car representing their brand (I'm up to 218,000 miles now!).
Word of Caution: This industry is rife with scams; in fact I played a vehicle wrap scam out in order to write about it a few years ago. So make sure that you check and see if the company is with the Better Business Bureau, as well as do not pay anything up front just for information.
Have you tried out a company and they're offering a drool-worthy stream of free swag? Do share in the comments below so we all can enjoy!
Amanda L. Grossman is a writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®), Plutus Foundation Grant Recipient, and founder of Frugal Confessions. Over the last 17 years, her money work has helped people with how to save money and how to manage money.
She's been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, LifeHacker, Real Simple Magazine, Woman's World, Woman's Day, ABC 13 Houston, Keybank, and more. Read more here or on LinkedIn.
Good Morning I am from South Africa we need a sponsor for my Boys they were selected to Play Rugby and soccer in Dubai and Spain and as a couple we cannot afford the cost of these tours we are proud of our boys but very stressed about the cost because we don't have the money we are appealing to anyone that has a heart to please help our Boys
my son 11 years old, he is a competitive kickboxer, and he got 5 medals so far in middle east and Europe, he is talented, and I have all the evidence needed, I would like someone to sponsor him, thanks
We are a nonprofit league; each sponsor will
receive a donation receipt and a personalized
Thank You card signed by each player as a token
of our appreciation. We will place your company
logo on our half time banner that will be
displayed at all games in Herriman City. It’s a
meaningful way to support young athletes while
promoting your business in the community. Your
support helps our team thrive and makes a lasting impact on these young athletes.
Hello, my name is Jennifer Burgess, I'm a single mom looking for a sponsor for my 15 year old son. He is naturally athletic and to get colleges to look at him it would help him being able to work with recruiters due to the fact we live in a small town community.
Hi I'm Thando from South Africa based in Cape town at Stellenbosch , looking sponsor for my church , we have yourth who need also assistant with education , and we also have sport to make the change and giving them leason bibble study.....we also have camps , conference relocating to see and change peaple, our mission is to make a change to the young stars .....we ask anyone who can fund us for changing peaples life
Help will be appriciated
Thanks
Hello my name is Claribel Aberdeen; I am looking for sponsors my 14 years old daughter Tricia in the West Coast of Africa. i am a single mother not working. i have to pay her examination fees currently will seat her public exam in next year. i will be very much greatful if you assist me with her study. please contact me for more information. thanks in advance.
Hello my name is Gustavo, I'm looking for sponsors for my 13 year old son Rafael (Black Belt in Taekwondo). He won the 2023 New Jersey AAU TKD Championship (May 2023) at Rider University and captured silver at Nationals in Fort Lauderdale in July 2023. Next up he is traveling to Des Moines to fight for a spot in the AAU team during the AAU Junior Olympics this coming August 2023. We are actively looking for sponsors for the 2023-2024 season. Please contact me for more information. Thank you in advance.
Hello my name is Elaine, I'm looking for sponsors for my grandson Briley. He wants to be in the Benjamin Russell Student Anglers Bass Fishing Tournament. We live in Alexander City, Alabama near the beautiful Lake Martin. If interested or need more information, please send me an email. Thanks for you time and consideration.
I am pleased and glad to the work you are doing which is so blessing to many.
Thanks be blessed
Hello, my name is Rita and I am the new Board Member in charge of Sponsorships for our local youth softball organization at http://www.IWVYS.com. We are the only youth softball organization in a two hour radius. I have watched this organization struggle for years. When I played for it 30 plus years ago it thrived, and now we watch it dwindle while the local baseball organization grows. This year a group of us decided we were sick of watching our daughters being treated less than compared to the male sports. Thankfully with Californias female equality in sports grants our cities softball fields will be updated and finally have the basics, like restrooms. With that being said we are charged the high rates to use these facilities and the cost have just raised in the past few years. We strive to make the program affordable for all players and their families, and to give the young ladies a fighting chance to gain the skills to play at a higher level. We have had some major setbacks in the last few years, first with the very large earthquake that rocked are small town of Ridgecrest California in 2019, then as soon as we thought we would be back, covid halted everything. The children missed two seasons, and when we were able to have one it was in the summer months where we average 115 degrees. These young ladies and their amazing coaches fought the elements and made the best of the situation.
This year we didn't make enough to cover costs and are in the red, our biggest goal is to avoid raising fees for the children to play in the 2024 spring season, and to upgrade some very much needed equipment as catchers gear, and jugs pitching machine, etc.
I am willing to take any and all advice from anyone on how to make a successful season for my players. Sponsorship ideas and fundraising ideas are very much welcomed.
thank your for your time
Good evening,
I am a team mom, a Zumba instructor, and a recent widow. My daughters are 17 and 15 and very athletic, and passionate about playing basketball. Their father loved sports, and he wanted them to continue their dreams of playing sports. The cancer took over his body rapidly, and he did not have the opportunity to communicate with them about being absent from their lives within a few months.
They have the moments, but I want to keep them busy and focus on their dreams. I am now a single parent asking for assistance to help my daughters finish high school and become leaders for the thousands of kids living without both parents. I am seeking sponsors for my daughter's basketball team. Each girl on the team is unique and talented. Each one exhibits unique characteristics that bring chemistry and motivation to the team. Unfortunately, family budgeting and travel expenses have affected the girls' opportunities to excel and showcase their skills. I have hosted Zumba events to raise funds, but more funds are needed to cover all expenses and travel. These girls are devoted and determined to succeed when everything is against them.
Most girls will be seniors for the 2023-2024 school year, and their opportunities to improve their skills will be too late. I am requesting donations/sponsorships to help with their uniforms and travel expenses.
Morning, my name is Samantha, I am looking for a sponsor for my daughter aged 17. She was selected last month for SA action netball. The team will tour in Australia in August 2023. The cost of the tour is R65 000 and must be payable by the 15th of June 2023. She is focused and determined, often practicing for hours on her own time just to stay ahead in the game. Her health perspective and cheerful demeanor have the highest respect amongst her peers. She constantly strives to achieve her goals, and this was highlighted when was selected last year to trial for the Western Cape High School u17 team. This was her first-time trialing for Western Cape, and she just fell short. She however went on to represent Cape Town High School Netball at the Inter District Tournament. She represented the Western Cape Coastal Action Netball u17 and u19 age group. In Aprila her u19 teams participated at the Inter Provincial Tournament, and she was selected to represent South Africa at the World Cup this year. This is why we need the R65 000 sponsor to cover this tour. She was chosen to represent MPNU board teams in the u13 and u15 age groups. She also toured to Durban to represent MPNU in the u15 team and in the u17 team in Eden. She is a dedicated and talented netball player, and this is reflected in the club awards she has won: 2019 U15 - Most Valuable Player, 2017 U13A - Most promising player, 2016 U11A - Most promising Player and 2015 U11A - Most valuable player.
I have requested a sponsor letter from SA action netball regarding the tour and how much it will cost should this be needed. No money will be paid into my account. Bank details is on sponsor letter.
Please help me get my daughter on this tour.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My son, age 11 1/2 is very athletic and also shy, with lots of anxiety but when he plays hockey and baseball it seems to go away. He works so hard and is the most coachable kid I know. His Travel AAA baseball travel team decided this year they want to make a trip to Copperstown, NY for a baseball camp experience. The only issue is that’s $2800 per player and that does not include travel from Minnesota which adds another $800-$1000 and you still have to drive 2-3 hours. My family is very small and fundraising isn’t easy when you don’t have the people to ask. I am writing to see if there are any opportunities for sponsors for an 11 year old travel AAA baseball player to help with funding. We are brainstorming whatever we can but it’s not easy.
He doesn’t want to attend if this is going to cause us family stress but I also know he has worked so hard and he deserves this experience. My son, myself, his dad and little brother are willing to do whatever we can to help. I just don’t know where to go now start. I have read a ton but nothing fits perfectly. Thank you so much. Stephanie
Hello, My name is Jenny, I am looking for a sponsor for my husband that he is wanting to get certified in his dream career as being a Welder. We have 3 kids and both of us work but unfortunately can't afford the schooling, which is $10,000. Where half needs to be paid by 04/18/2023, and rest 04/29/2023. We both come from immigrant families and all our family is in Mexico. We are the only ones here in America.
I would like to surprise my husband with this sponsorship and I know this will make him very happy to be able to attend this program.
My son Ewald 15, who only started playing hockey in 2022 as a goalie and was chosen for his school's first team this year has been chosen by a selection of professional selectors based on his performance during the tournaments to represent an U/16 invitational team during an International hockey tour to the Netherlands from 01- 09 October 2023.
This tour gives hockey players the chance of a lifetime, to play against the best clubs in World Hockey and receive coaching from world-class international coaches.
I am a single mother with only one income and there is no way i can afford to send him on my own. I don't want to take this opportunity away from him as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and his passion for this game and even more as a goalie has grown so much in this last year. I have been told that for his age and size he is one hell of a goalie. Ewald who has been diagnosed with ADHD & Dyslexia from a young age has always been used to fighting for what he want to achieve, making hockey no exception at all.
We are looking for donations/sponsors, the cost of the tour is R44 900. The first payment of R10 000 needs to be paid before 30 April to confirm his place on the tour. The final payments totaling R44 900 needs to be paid before 30 August 2023.
I did receive a sponsorship form from ECHS as proof, if required please contact me.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.