When Tiers Are Helpful—And When They Hold You Back 

When crafting sponsorship packages, many nonprofit and event professionals default to a tiered model—Gold, Silver, and Bronze (or a similar hierarchy). It’s an easy, structured way to organize sponsorship opportunities and provide clarity to potential sponsors.

But is this approach enough? While tiers can help you get started, relying only on them can limit your sponsorship revenue potential and fail to meet corporate sponsors’ diverse needs.

Tiers: A Useful Starting Point, But Not a Strategy 

Sponsorship tiers help provide structure, especially if you’re new to sponsorship development. A classic Gold/Silver/Bronze model typically looks like this:

• Gold ($10,000+) – Top-level branding, premium benefits
• Silver ($5,000+) – Mid-level exposure, standard benefits
• Bronze ($2,500+) – Entry-level recognition, basic benefits

This system can be effective because it:

✅ Creates a clear and organized structure.

✅ Makes it easy for sponsors to understand their options.

✅ Provides a baseline for benefits and monetary value. 

✅ Helps organizations group benefits in a scalable way.

However, this model also has serious limitations.

The Problem with a Strict Tiered Approach 

While sponsorship tiers may seem convenient, they don’t always align with what corporate sponsors are actually looking for.

❌ Not all sponsors want the same things. A company focused on branding may want logo placement, while another prioritizes engagement with attendees. Tiered packages assume a one-size-fits-all approach that may not appeal to every sponsor.

❌ Tiers limit customization. Many corporate sponsors prefer tailored opportunities that align with their marketing goals. If you only offer pre-set levels, you might miss out on a better fit—and more revenue.

❌ You could be leaving money on the table. Some sponsors may be willing to invest more if given flexible, high-value opportunities beyond the highest tier. If all you offer are static tiers, you could be capping your potential sponsorship revenue.

 

What’s Next? Thinking Beyond Tiers 

So, what’s the solution? While sponsorship tiers can be a good starting point, the key to attracting and retaining sponsors is to think beyond a rigid tiered system.

In the next article, we’ll explore alternative sponsorship models that go beyond Gold/Silver/Bronze, including category-specific sponsorships, experiential sponsorships, and more creative approaches that better serve corporate sponsors—and increase your sponsorship revenue.

Want to Avoid Common Sponsorship Package Pitfalls? 

Before you refine your sponsorship packages, make sure you’re not making costly mistakes. Download our free eBook:

📥 Sponsorship Package Pitfalls: 4 Mistakes to Avoid & How to Fix Them

You’ll learn:

✔ Why copying another organization’s sponsorship structure can backfire.

✔ How using the same sponsorship packages year after year is limiting your growth.

✔ The hidden costs of undervaluing sponsorships.

✔ Why overly complicated packages make it harder for sponsors to say yes.