FUND DECA
All About Chapter Sponsorships!
Use this page to research new ways to fund your chapter.
What's A Sponsorship?
A sponsorship is a mode of fundraising where businesses or families support your DECA chapter! Sponsorships are a great source of funding because all they require is your effort to reach out. There are a variety of ways you can get sponsors which will be described below. We recommend trying all of these as generally a combination of these will provide you with the most output. What’s the worst thing that could happen? They say no?
GETTING STARTED
Reach out to your ASB, CTE and school organizations
Your DECA chapter is tightly connected to your school, it’s both a club and a co-curricular activity which means it oftentimes can be categorized in different ways and can receive funding form a variety of sources. While you read this remember, not all schools have the same system for their internal organizations so make sure to check with your school’s policies on each of these.
Your School's ASB
Your school’s All Student Body or Student Government is a very important part of your school and also plays a big role in funding extracurricular activities. While not true for all schools, oftentimes ASBs have extra funding that can be spent by those who need it. Generally talking directly with someone involved is best for more information.
Your School/District’s CTE Department
All schools in the state of Washington are required to offer CTE credit classes. Most districts or schools have some department to manage the classes that count for CTE. These departments generally get individual funding and sometimes have extra funding for events like DECA. Contact your district’s CTE director or talk to your advisor to get more information.
Other School Organizations
Some schools have other organizations like Parent or Alumni organizations that could be interested in helping support your DECA chapter. Oftentimes these groups have pools of money to support students but few student organizations request this money. If you ask, these groups would likely be happy to support!
CONTACTING BUSINESSES
Businesses local to your school are often very excited to support students! The best way to work with businesses is to either use the connections within your chapter, eg. a member knows the owner of a restaurant, or simply email, call, or walk into their store. Because businesses operate to make a profit, sometimes they may want something else in return. There are a variety of ways you can give back to your sponsors. One common method is placing the business’s name on school DECA merch. Another great option is providing the business with marketing or hospitality along with any other skills you have learned from DECA!
How to Find Contact Information For Local Businesses
Here are two email templates you can use to reach out.
Subject: Invest in Future Leaders & Amplify Your Brand: Sponsorship Opportunity
Hi [Business/Person you’re emailing],
I hope all is well. My name is [Your Name], and I serve as [Your Role] for [Your School] High School’s DECA chapter. I’m reaching out with an exciting opportunity that offers twofold benefits: strengthening your brand presence in our community and empowering the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.
DECA is not a school club—it’s a transformative experience that shapes the lives and careers of students. We provide an unparalleled platform for learning, from practicing real-world business scenarios to honing leadership and teamwork skills. Our students participate in high-stakes competitions at regional, state, and international levels, presenting them with the kind of challenges and opportunities seldom found in a typical classroom setting.
However, there’s a hurdle that often prevents our members from reaching their full potential: the financial costs associated with competitions and educational resources. We are actively seeking sponsors to help us overcome this challenge and ensure that every student has the chance to participate.
By becoming our sponsor, your brand would gain significant exposure across a variety of channels. We would proudly display your logo on our team merchandise and prominently acknowledge your generous support at events, on social media, and in communications with our [Chapter Membership Number] student members and their families. Notably, students are a critical demographic that offers both immediate and long-term marketing opportunities.
The partnership doesn’t just offer visibility; it demonstrates your organization’s commitment to education, leadership, and the growth of young talent—values that resonate deeply within our community.
If you’re interested in exploring this sponsorship opportunity further, I’d be more than happy to discuss details and options with you.
Thank you for considering this opportunity. Your support could make a significant difference in the lives of aspiring young business leaders while simultaneously enhancing the visibility and reputation of your brand.
Best,
[Your First and Last Name]
[Your Role in your DECA Chapter]
Dear [Your School’s] DECA Families,
I hope this message finds you well. As you know, your student is part of a transformative experience by being a member of our DECA chapter here at [Your School]. This isn’t just a club; it’s a gateway to a world of opportunities in business, leadership, and life skills. DECA enriches your child’s educational experience, empowering them with practical insights and problem-solving abilities that they will carry into their future careers.
Our DECA chapter is not just an extracurricular activity—it’s an investment in your child’s future. Through DECA, our members get the chance to engage in competitive scenarios that develop their business acumen, creativity, and leadership skills. These experiences are not just limited to the classroom; they extend to regional, state, and even international competitions that can be transformative in both their academic and professional lives.
However, despite our best efforts to minimize costs, these valuable experiences come with financial responsibilities. As we approach our next important conference, we are seeking your support to make this impactful experience accessible to every student in our DECA chapter.
We kindly ask that if you’re able, please cover the [insert specific amount] cost for your child’s participation in the upcoming competition. This contribution will directly fund registration fees, materials, and other necessary expenses.
Additionally, if you can, we encourage you to consider donating extra funds to support another DECA member’s participation. A little extra can go a long way in helping another family who might be facing financial challenges. Your support could be the difference that enables another student to experience this life-changing opportunity.
By sponsoring your child and potentially another member, you’re not just funding a competition; you’re investing in the future leaders of our community.
Thank you in advance for your generous support. With your help, we can ensure that every young, aspiring business leader in our DECA chapter has an equal shot at a bright future.
Best,
[Your First and Last Name]
[Your Role in your DECA Chapter]