Corporate Sponsorship and Naming Policies

Overview

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

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

Examples of Sponsorship Policies

• King County Code Title 7 – Section 7.08.080 covers advertising, sponsorship, and naming rights for the county’s parks program.
• Liberty Lake Ordinance No. 168(A) (2019) – Lists criteria for accepting donations for parks, facilities, and recreation programs.
• Mill Creek Policy 200-06 (2018) – Establishes corporate sponsorship policies and procedures for city programs. Visit their Sponsorships & Partnerships page.
• Mason County Resolution No. 19-09 (2009) – Establishes a corporate sponsorship policy for the Parks and Trails Department.
• Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Facility/Program Sponsorship Policy (2009)
• Seattle 060-P 1.5.1 (2011) – Establishes sponsorship policies for the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Spokane Valley Code Ch. 3.34 – Establishes policies for accepting donation and gifts and touches on sponsorships.
• Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District Sponsorship Policy (2024) – Gifts, grants, and/or in-kind support from businesses, corporations, families & individuals. Addresses guiding principles and acknowledgment. All sponsorships must be approved by board; solicitation of sponsorships over $5,000 requires prior board approval.
• Clark County Parks (2014) – Policy outlining the commemorative naming of parks and recreation facilities.

Examples of Local Government Marketing Promotions

• Anacortes Bark in the Park Sponsorship Form (2018)
• Bellingham Small and Simple/Community Event Sponsorship Program (2009)
• Brier SeaScare and Porch Light Parade Event Sponsorship Opportunities
• Des Moines Sponsorship Opportunities
• Fife Event & Program Sponsorship Guide (2019)
• Fircrest Community Sponsorship
• Lynnwood Event Sponsorships
• Puyallup Parks and Recreation Sponsorship Opportunities
• Redmond Sponsorship Opportunities (2020)
• Renton Sponsorship Opportunities (2019)
• Sammamish Sponsorship Opportunities
• Seattle Streetcar Sponsorship