9 Unique Gift Ideas for Sponsors of Corporate, School, & Charity Events
published
October 14, 2025
If your organization is preparing for a big event, you likely know that your plans wouldn’t be possible without your event sponsors. Organizations that sponsor events – from corporate events to charity functions and more – are silent backbones of these occasions, often trading their financial support for recognition in event advertising.
Did you know that offering your sponsors a thank-you gift can boost their charitable donations and their desire to sponsor your event again in the future? To show your appreciation and continue retaining your best supporters for the long haul, we’ve compiled nine of the most popular gifts for event sponsors.
1. Choose Brand-Relevant Sponsor Thank You Gifts
Unlike the typical custom promotional items you may give away to your customers, you’ll want to take it up a notch with branded thank-you gifts for your sponsors. Choose from a wide range of bestselling sponsor appreciation gifts, such as:
2. Design a Special Award or Certificate
When it comes to implementing an effective sponsor appreciation strategy, individual recognition is key. Personalized awards and certificates are a simple yet ideal way to demonstrate gratitude and increase sponsor retention.
While you can categorize your sponsors in several ways, consider using a straightforward tiered system to guide the type of award you offer. Define each tier according to monetary or time contributions, etc. Distinguishing your sponsors from one another can create a healthy competition, inspiring them to give back even more to your event or organization.
Take a look at the following tiers to guide your sponsor appreciation gifts:
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
A custom certificate in an Executive Designs Certificate Holder
3. Cater a Sponsor Appreciation Dinner
Organizing a sponsor appreciation dinner is one of the best ways to acknowledge and celebrate their contributions to your cause. While party planning may seem daunting, or even if it isn’t your forte, planning and executing a memorable evening can be easier than you think.
Take note of our top tips for organizing a sponsor appreciation dinner worthy of five stars:
- Set the dining atmosphere with custom tablecloths and runners.
- Make their evening extra special with personalized party accessories.
- Acknowledge your top sponsors with popular corporate gifts.
- For a buffet-style meal, use branded serving platters, such as the Captain’s Choice Cutting Board Set or Standing Utensils Cheeseboard.
4. Give Back with a Personalized Gift Set
If you struggle to find just the right gift for each of your sponsors, then make it easy on yourself by choosing a personalized gift set they’ll love. Not only will these sets surely contain something every sponsor will love, but you can customize them for an extra special touch. Take a look at the following gift set ideas:
5. Opt for Eco-Friendly Sponsor Thank-You Gifts
Sometimes a gift can mean more than just a token of appreciation. Instead, it can represent something bigger, such as a cause or even your organization’s core values and ethos. Opting for eco-friendly gifts for your sponsors shows them what you stand for.
From personalized gardening gifts and custom biodegradable items to branded gifts made from renewable resources and energy-saving items, you’ll feel good knowing you’ve given a gift that also gives back.
6. Offer Stress-Relieving Gifts During the Donation Cycle
Sometimes a sponsor must choose among the organizations and causes it wants to support. Make their choice an easy and stress-free one with one of the following branded self-care gifts:
7. Go Gourmet with Your Sponsor Appreciation Gifts
Every sponsor will love a personalized gourmet food gift basket. Once you ensure they don’t have any food allergies or aversions, you can choose among the following delicious sponsor appreciation gifts:
8. Encourage Sponsors to Keep in Touch with Custom Writing Gifts
Staying in contact with your sponsors effectively keeps your organization at the forefront of their minds, especially when donation season starts. Encourage them to keep in touch with a personalized writing gift, such as:
9. Keep Sponsor Appreciation Giveaways on Hand All Year
Small tokens of appreciation can go a long way with your sponsors. Reaching out to your event sponsor with a custom giveaway during the months between events is an excellent way to show them that your gratitude doesn’t end once the event is over.
Choose one or several of these popular branded giveaways for donor appreciation:
Ready to Choose Your Sponsor Thank You Gifts from Crestline?
When a sponsor backs your organization or cause, it’s the ultimate seal of approval. What better way to show them how much their support means than with custom thank-you gifts for sponsors?
Crestline offers a wide range of donor appreciation gifts at every price point.
Contact us today and discover just the right sponsor gift that keeps giving!
