Community sponsorships

We receive a high volume of sponsorship applications each year. Due to limited sponsorship dollars and staff resources, applications are more likely to succeed if they meet the criteria below. If you don’t meet all criteria, you may still submit your application for consideration.

• My organization is:
  • Based in or primarily providing services in the SMUD service area.
  • A 501(c)3 charitable organization, 509(a) public charity/private foundation, 501(c)6 chamber of commerce, or a local government entity.
• My sponsorship request:
  • Reaches more than 100 SMUD customers. 
  • Includes a sponsorship benefit package.  
  • Is for an activity/event more than 60 days away. 
  • Doesn't exceed $2,500. 
  • Is for something not currently funded by SMUD. 
  • Is for something that will benefit SMUD customers. 

SMUD sponsorships range from SMUD event participation (no cost) and in-kind donations to financial sponsorships (generally not exceeding $2,500). Learn more about our sponsorship categories: 

• Financial sponsorship (event/activity): For events/activities seeking financial sponsorship (typically not exceeding $2,500) and includes a sponsorship benefit package. Ideal for tradeshows, dinners, luncheons, conferences and community events that enable direct engagement with customers and stakeholders, and/or support regional economic development. 
• SMUD participation only (no cost): For SMUD to participate in your event without financial sponsorship. Ideal for tradeshows/booths or events where we can engage with attendees and share information about our programs and services. 
• In-kind (goods): For in-kind sponsorships, which may include SMUD-branded giveaway items. Limited supply is available - please specify your needs in your application. 

Examples of activities we typically consider: 

• Annual gala fundraisers.
• Award luncheons recognizing area leaders. 
• Community resource fairs. 
• Public festivals celebrating the community’s rich cultures and diversity. 
• Expos/tradeshows focused on reaching SMUD customers and/or local businesses. 
• Workforce development events focused on clean energy. 

Examples of entities and activities we don’t sponsor

• Charitable donation/cash gift 
• Individual lobbying activities 
• Political fundraisers or partisan activities 
• Grants or general operating support 
• Religious/worship services or religious/worship-centered events. 
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin 
• Operating or travel expenses 
• Individual school requests, including field trips, fundraisers, graduations, performing arts events and sports teams 
• Recreational/competitive sports teams, individual sports teams and/or individual sporting events/tournaments 
• An event/activity that is solely focused on the consumption of drugs or alcohol, or promotion of firearms or gambling
• Requests to power events (i.e. generators, electric vehicles) or donations of SMUD electric service for which a fee is normally charged 

Examples of activities we typically don’t support

• Sports tournaments (golf, pickleball, basketball, etc.) 
• Specific health-related causes 
• Runs, walks, bike rides, etc. 
• Crab or spaghetti feeds 
• First-time events. 
• Film festivals or film screenings. 
• Requests from organizations raising funds on behalf of other organizations. 

• Apply early: Submit your application at least 60 days prior to your event/activity. 
• Review application questions: Prepare all documents in advance, and download/review a copy of the application questions. See resources below.  
• Learn what SMUD doesn’t sponsor: Review examples above of entities and activities that SMUD doesn’t sponsor. 
• Plan ahead: Check community calendars for conflicting dates with other events. 
• Sponsorship package: Include a package outlining benefits for consideration. See Sponsorship application resources below for examples.  
• Be flexible: We’ll work with you to create a custom sponsorship package. 
• Multiple applications encouraged: We welcome the opportunity to review multiple sponsorship requests from the same organization in order to bundle a sponsorship. Please submit each request separately, ideally within a week of each other.