This page provides examples of corporate sponsorship and naming policies from local governments in Washington State.

Overview

Many jurisdictions seek corporate and community partnerships to sponsor community programs and facilities as part of their business plans for funding. Community and corporate support may range from fund raising activities such as selling pavers, corporate sponsorship of an event or sports team, and/or the purchase of naming rights for a public facility for a period of time.

Sponsorships are most frequently used to fund various parks and recreation programs, but some jurisdictions are exploring naming rights as a potential revenue source.

Examples of Sponsorship Policies

• Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department Agreement for Advertising in City Parks and Recreational Facilities
• King County
  • King County Code Sec. 7.08.080 - Advertising, sponsorship and naming rights in Title 7 - Parks and Recreation
  • Parks Business Transition Plan See Revenue Enhancement Strategies (2002)
• Liberty Lake Ordinance No. 168 - Establishes criteria for accepting donations for parks, facilities, and recreation programs (2008)
• Mason County Resolution No. 19-09 - Establishing a corporate sponsorship policy for Mason County Parks and Trails Department (2009)
• Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Facility/Program Sponsorship Policy (2009)
• Seattle Parks and Recreation Sponsorship Policy (2011)
• Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Commemorative Naming of Parks and Recreation Facilities Policy (2011)

Examples of Local Government Marketing Promotions

• Anacortes Bark in the Park Sponsorship Form (2018)
• Auburn Event Sponsorship Packages (2019)
• Bellingham Small and Simple/Community Event Sponsorship Program (2009) - Funding Eligibility and Guidelines
• Brier Parks and Recreation Event Sponsorship Opportunities
• Des Moines Sponsorship Opportunities
• Puyallup Parks and Recreation Sponsorship Opportunities
• Redmond Sponsorship Opportunities (2020)
• Renton Sponsorship Opportunities (2019)
• Sammamish Sponsorship Opportunities

Recommended Resources

• A Corporate Sponsorship Toolbox, Canadian Heritage Partnering Framework (2002)
• State Parks Seek Corporate Donors to Stay Open, by Linda Baker, Governing, August 2011 - Alternate title on print copy: Paying for Parks
• What's in a Name? by Dianne Hoover, Parks and Recreation (2006), available through MRSC Library Loan