We recommend putting together a compelling CV for the individual / team, which outlines: proposal and summary, sponsor benefits, past achievements, present situation (including any current sponsorship arrangements) and your future aspirations and prospects.

To give it credibility, get a letter of support from your Club, the Regional Sports Organisation (RSO) and the National Sports Organisation (NSO) as well as your coach. They may also have suggestions and could offer financial support. Photographs and newspaper clippings will help.

The CV must be professionally presented in order to attract funders. It may be worth contracting a professional to produce the CV. A few $$ invested up front may return many more $$$$$ going forward. Then establish a funding plan from the following:

	The Carillion Club Support for athletes and teams under the age of 21 who have been chosen to represent NZ or Wellington in any sport. Open to residents in the greater Wellington region (including Kapiti and Wairarapa).
	100+ ways to raise money Thinking about a sausage sizzle? Stand out from the crowd with any number of ideas like calendars, number plates, virtual dirt, auctions, mystery dinners...
	"Club Kit" - Fundraising and Sponsorship The Sport NZ "Club Kit" has everything you need to run your club. This link has info, checklists and videos.
	Community Gaming Trusts An excellent list of all Gaming Trusts and the types of funding that they cover. Scroll down the left to find your required funding purpose then go across to the right to find what Trust funds that purpose. There is also info on each trust at the end. Please read the conditions carefully, not all Gaming Trusts support individuals or overseas travel.
	High Performance Sport NZ The funding needs to be done via your National Association. HPSNZ has various funding pools including: * Support services * Prime Ministers Scholarships for Athletes and Coaches * PEGS grants * Carding support for Athletes and Coaches * Coach Accelerator Programme

OTHER IDEAS

If there has been someone else in your sport who has had success over the past few years, find out how they funded their needs or their team's needs. Maybe there is someone in another sport that you can contact about fundraising too. Sometimes relations and friends can also be supportive along with certain community or ethnic groups.

Fundraise locally, for example individual sponsorship from local businesses, get exposure through the community newspapers (for free) and you can thank your sponsors there! When approaching local businesses think about what you can do for them, it's not just about your needs, it has to be a ‘win-win' situation.

See what companies support your NSO. Approach the local branch of that company to see if there is a win-win i.e. a sausage sizzle outside their branch office. Approach carefully as your NSO will have major contracts in place.

Thinking of doing a sausage sizzle? Sell steak sandwiches as well as the profit margins are much better.

Think long term. If you keep making higher grade teams or national squads, you will need repeat funding.

Thank everyone you approach; they may not be willing or able to help now but could do so in the future. For those who are able to support you, keep them informed of your progress, irrespective of success. It's about building relationships and remember at all times you are representing your sport.

Final comment, fundraising isn't easy, it takes time, planning and a lot of "leg work", no money is easy to obtain.

GOOD LUCK!