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

The following examples showcase how some Washington local governments have structured sponsorship, donation, naming, and acknowledgment policies for public programs, parks, facilities, and recreation services.

• Clark County Parks Administration Policy (2014) – Outlines the commemorative naming of parks and recreation facilities.
• King County Code Title 7 – Sec. 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.
• Maple Valley Parks and Recreation Department Sponsorship Policy (2024) – Establishes criteria by which the city may accept sponsors that further the city’s mission by providing support for city events or city administered 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.
• Spokane Valley Municipal 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.
• Washougal Sponsorship Policy (2021) – Establishes procedures and guidelines for accepting sponsorship donations and for recognizing sponsors.

Examples of Local Government Marketing Promotions

The examples below illustrate how some Washington local governments promote sponsorship opportunities. 

• Brier SeaScare and Porch Light Parade Event Sponsorship Opportunities – Provides sponsorship submission form.
• Covington Sponsorship Opportunities Form (2026) – Includes brochure with description of sponsorship opportunities.
• Des Moines Sponsorship Opportunities – Provides list of available events for sponsorship.
• Fife Event & Program Sponsorship Guide (2026) – Brochure listing sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations. 
• Fircrest Community Sponsorship – Includes sponsorship submission forms.
• Kitsap County Parks Sponsorship – Announces sponsorship opportunities to support community parks and provides Parks office contact information for sponsors.
• Lincoln County Sponsorship Marketing Signs – For County Fair & Event Center
• Lynnwood Event Sponsorships – Lists benefits and packages available to sponsors. 
• Puyallup Parks and Recreation Sponsorship Opportunities – Provides sponsorship levels, event sponsorship applications, and other related materials.
• Sammamish Sponsorship Opportunities – Describes sponsorship benefits and links to an Event Sponsorship Package. 
• Seattle Streetcar Sponsorship – Provides contact information to advertise on Seattle streetcars or to learn about sponsorship opportunities.