ROGUE CHEER ATHLETICS

Welcome to the 2026-2027 season! Our Business Sponsor Program officially kicked off on June 2nd. This program is one of the absolute best and most effective ways to lower your competition season expenses while helping our athletes grow. Below are answers to the most common questions to help your family navigate the process smoothly.

General Rogue Sponsor Program Information

Who can participate in the Business Sponsor Program?

All Rogue athletes currently on a competitive team are encouraged to seek out business sponsorships if you’re looking for assistance in raising funds. We understand that some families may have the resources to forgo fundraising, and if that’s your situation, we kindly ask you to allow those who truly need it to focus on securing sponsorships. Additionally, athletes in the Rogue Round Up who are planning to join a Rogue Youth Team or Hip Hop team (starting in mid-July and August) are also welcome to start their journey in seeking sponsorships.

Where do I get a sponsor letter?

Printed copies of the sponsor letters will be available for pickup at the gym starting on June 3rd. We will gladly provide a few starter copies to any athlete who asks! To help us keep things running smoothly, we ask that you please print your own additional copies using the PDF file located at the bottom of this page, or make copies of the ones we give you. While we will always try our best to keep a few extras on hand at the gym, we cannot guarantee they will always be in stock, so printing your own is the best way to ensure you’re ready to go!

How much can a business sponsor?

While the sponsor letters generally target amounts of $200 and up, we do not have strict limits. In past seasons, we have received sponsorships ranging anywhere from $50 to $5,000. Please note that sponsors of $200 and ABOVE are the only ones that receive advertisement from Rogue. If a business is wanting to sponsor an entire team, this can be arranged. Please reach out to Coach Becky for help setting this up.

Where do the sponsorship funds go?

Athlete Fees (97%): 97% of the sponsored amount goes directly toward the individual athlete’s seasonal fees (such as uniforms, camp, and competition entry fees). It does not cover monthly tuition unless a unique situation is discussed and approved by Coach Becky prior.
Gym Operations (3%): 3% of the sponsorship goes to Rogue to cover the physical cost of printing the sponsor shirts and team posters. Trisha tracks these balances directly in our fundraising accounts.

What happens if we raise more than we owe, or if my athlete leaves?

Overage: If your athlete raises more than their total fee balance for the year, the remaining funds will roll over to their account for the following season, provided they return to Rogue. If they do not return to Rogue, those funds are moved directly into the Scholarship Fund to assist athletes in need.
Departure/Dismissal: If an athlete quits or is dismissed from the gym during the season, any raised funds (from sponsorships, car washes, donations, or ANY fundraised monies) cannot be refunded to the family. They will be moved directly into the Rogue Scholarship Fund to assist athletes in need.

How Sponsorship Funds are Tracked & Applied

Please note that Trisha tracks all incoming fundraising money amounts. Here is how the process works once a business decides to sponsor your athlete:

Full Transparency: Every transaction is clearly documented on your personal spreadsheet. You are welcome to request an update or view your sheet at any time to check your current balance!

Our hope is that athletes fundraise enough that their families do not have to worry about covering any cheer fees (this is different than monthly tuition)! Athletes every year are able to reach this goal but it does take time and effort to do so, especially in the summer months.

Immediate Notification: If we receive a sponsorship check or payment for your athlete in the mail, we will notify you as soon as possible and log it directly onto your athlete’s individual account spreadsheet.

Automatic Application to Fees: The funds will go straight into the Rogue account and be applied directly to your athlete’s next upcoming cheer fee (such as uniforms, camp costs, or competition registration fees).

How to Find & Approach Sponsors

Where should we start looking for sponsors?

Businesses are much more likely to support a familiar face! We highly suggest reaching out to businesses you already patronize, such as:

Your personal dentist, doctor, or specialist
Your family insurance agent
Local car dealerships and veterinarians
Local restaurants and shops you visit frequently
Businesses owned by family friends (feel free to call or email these if they don’t have a physical storefront!)

How do we make sure we aren’t pestering the same local businesses?

We use a mandatory our Rogue Business Sponsor Log Spreadsheet . Before your athlete visits any business, you must check this log to ensure another Rogue athlete hasn’t already approached them this season. Once your athlete visits a business, you must log the interaction and the outcome (Yes, No, or Maybe) that same day. This keeps our community interactions professional and organized.

BUSINESS SPONSOR LOG SPREADSHEET FOUND HERE📝

Can athletes look for sponsors together?

Absolutely! Rogue athletes are welcome to go out in pairs or small groups. They can choose to split the sponsorship amounts evenly, or alternate businesses (e.g., Athlete A gets the first business, Athlete B takes the next).

Tips for Athlete Success & Drop-Off Etiquette

How should the athlete dress and prepare?

Athletes should look presentable and “dress the part” to show they are serious.

Attire: Wear a Rogue shirt. We highly recommend the Rogue Blueprint shirt because it features last season’s sponsors on the back—a perfect visual to show a prospect! If you don’t have one, please ask Coach Becky.
Hair & Appearance: Hair should be neat and done. Wearing a cheer bow is a fantastic touch because it instantly identifies them as a cheerleader.
Knowledge: Athletes must read the sponsor letter beforehand. They should know where the team is traveling this season and understand the different sponsorship tiers so they can confidently answer questions. We will also be doing sponsorship rehearsals in practice so athletes can roleplay these interactions and build confidence!

What is the step-by-step process for going into a business?

The Intro: Walk in with a printed copy of the sponsor letter. Politely tell the front desk person: “Hi, I’m a competitive cheerleader with Rogue Cheer Athletics and I would love the opportunity to speak with the owner or manager regarding a business sponsorship opportunity.”
If the owner is unavailable: That is completely fine! Do not just drop the paper and walk away (they rarely call back if you do). Say something like: “That’s totally okay! We have a really great opportunity to advertise your business, and in turn, your business would help me raise funds for my competition expenses. It’s a total win-win.” Leave the packet with the front desk.
If the owner is available: Be confident, polite, and explain the “win-win” nature of the program.

What if the business says “No” or “Maybe”?

If they say No: Always stay polite, smile, and say, “Thank you so much for your time!” Never show disappointment. In the past, we’ve actually had business owners change their minds and mail in a check later simply because they were so impressed by how polite and memorable the athlete was when facing a refusal!
If they say Maybe/Leave a Sponsor Letter: Plan to physically return to that business a week later to follow up. Let them know you’re just checking in on the letter you left. This extra step frequently turns a “maybe” into a “yes.”
Optional Pro-Tip: Some families include a stamped envelope with the Rogue return address (found at the bottom of page 3 of the letter) with their Sponsor Letter. This is not required, but it shows you are willing to go the extra mile to make it easy for the business you are seeking support from.

Benefits for the Business & Payment Process

Is this a tax-deductible donation?

Yes. Because businesses receive marketing exposure in exchange for their funds, this is a legitimate advertising expense. Rogue’s EIN (Tax ID) is printed directly on the sponsor letter.

What advertising exposure do businesses receive?

When a business sponsors Rogue, they aren’t just giving a handout—they are buying highly visible advertising. Their business will receive extensive exposure via:

Sponsor Shirts: Their business name/logo will be prominently featured on our widely worn seasonal shirts.
Team Posters: Logos or business name are displayed on our official team posters distributed throughout the community.
Social Media: Once a sponsor is confirmed, gym management will reach out to them for details to feature and highlight their business across our official social media platforms. This outreach will involve creating engaging posts, eye-catching graphics, and possibly videos that showcase the sponsor’s values and offerings, ensuring that their brand gets the attention it deserves.Rogue has possibly one of these most followed cheer gym social media presence in Oregon and most definitely the most of Southern Oregon cheer teams. Our diverse content strategy will leverage the popularity of our platforms to maximize exposure for our sponsors. Not to mention our gym serves 70-80 families from within the community. This organic reach through our active social channels is a fantastic way to connect with potential customers and promote local businesses. That in itself is great advertisement!

How can a business submit their payment?

Check/Cash: If an owner fills out the form and gives a check on the spot, thank them and let them know we will be in touch soon to update them on their advertisements.
Digital/Card: Businesses can also pay via Venmo or Cash App. These options can be accessed directly on our website under the “Make A Payment” tab.
Receipts: Once payment is processed, Rogue will automatically email the business an official receipt for their corporate tax records.

When is the Sponsorship Collecting Deadline?

Please keep in mind that the final deadline to stop collecting sponsorships will be in late winter or early spring 2027. While the exact cutoff date has not yet been established, we will finalize and announce it in the coming month. However, we highly encourage you to make the most of the next few months; the vast majority of sponsorships are secured during the summer, as athletes typically do not have the extra time to go out and canvas local businesses once the busy school year begins!

What Life Skills Does This Teach My Athlete?

While fundraising is hard work that requires getting out of your comfort zone, the personal growth benefits are unmatched. This program helps young athletes develop:

Public Speaking & Communication: Learning how to clearly articulate a value proposition to unfamiliar adults.
Confidence & Courage: It takes immense bravery to walk into a business, and business owners respect that courage. (In fact, we find owners respond much better when parents wait in the car or just outside the door so the athlete can shine on their own!)
Resilience: Learning to handle rejection gracefully and maintaining professionalism under pressure.
Accountability & Goal Setting: Directly connecting personal effort to financial reward.

A final note…
We Are Here to Help! Please remember that you are not on this fundraising journey alone! Both Trisha and Coach Becky are here to supporting our Rogue athletes and in that helping your families maximize their fundraising success this season. Whether you need an extra sponsor letter, help practicing your pitch, or have questions about your fundraising account balance, we are here for you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need a little extra guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out!