The Sponsorship Catalyst

Chief Executive Officer

I'm Mariah Monique, MPH, the Founder and CEO of The Sponsorship Catalyst. My team and I specialize in helping nonprofits strategically position themselves to secure event sponsors. We assist organizations in effectively packaging and presenting sellable event sponsorships to support their mission.

With extensive experience as a Sponsorship Strategy Educator and Consultant, and having worked as both a sponsorship seeker and funder, I have a unique understanding of the sponsorship process from multiple perspectives. Having reviewed approximately 1,000 sponsorship packages, made funding decisions, and built brand activations, I know exactly what sponsors are looking for. I'm here to teach you how to navigate the sponsorship sales cycle to secure the best possible outcome: SECURED SPONSORSHIP DEALS.

Nonprofit fundraisers often face challenges such as a lack of knowledge on navigating the sponsorship industry and budget constraints that limit access to personalized coaching. My mission is to provide you with the education and strategies needed to overcome these obstacles. I empower you to gain the skills necessary to position, package, and pitch sellable event sponsorships.

At The Sponsorship Catalyst, we focus on creating practical solutions and improving current practices while maintaining high standards. We're dedicated to helping you enhance your approach to event sponsorship so you can achieve your sponsorship goals.

Let's connect and explore how The Sponsorship Catalyst can help you position your organization to secure the sponsorships you need to thrive.

Here’s a reality I hate to have to share, but it needs to be said: sponsors are cutting back.

Last month alone, I had to decline 32 event sponsorship requests on behalf of a company I support—requests that had been funded for years.

Why? Because the company shifted its funding priorities.

And here’s the kicker: those events, while good, were not tied to the core purpose of the company.

This is the direction many brands are moving in right now:
 👉 Streamlining partnerships
 👉 Bracing for economic uncertainty
 👉 Focusing funding on what directly supports their core functions

This doesn’t mean the door is closed forever. But right now, companies are being very strategic about where they invest—whether that’s in for-profits or nonprofits.

So what does this mean for you as a nonprofit leader? It means you can’t rely on “we’ve always been funded.” You have to adapt to what sponsors are actually looking for today.

Here’s what sponsors want right now (and what you should consider):
💥 Alignment to business goals → Not just a good cause, but a partnership that connects to their core strategy.
💥 Impact data → Proof that your event or program drives measurable outcomes, not just attendance numbers.
💥 Visibility & engagement → Opportunities for their brand, employees, and customers to connect in meaningful ways.
💥 Efficiency → Clear plans that show you can deliver results without unnecessary complexity.
💥 Flexibility → Willingness to co-create opportunities instead of handing over a rigid sponsorship menu.

💎 💎💎The takeaway: The funding landscape is shifting. If you want to secure and sustain sponsorships, you have to position your organization as a strategic partner, not just another event looking for dollars.

Let me know in the comments what sponsorship shifts you've been experiencing this year.

And if you want help building a strategy for your sponsors who are cutting back, then book a call with me so my team and I can help you navigate this season. Link in the comments.

#nonprofits #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitevents

Mariah Monique, MPH

Strategic Sponsorship Consultant for Nonprofits | Keynote Speaker | Founder & CEO, The Sponsorship Catalyst

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