Sponsor Podium

Sponsors are companies, organizations, or individuals who partner with Podium in transformational ways. These large-scale, collaborative projects strategically invest in the programs, professional development, publications, and showcase opportunities offered to hundreds of youth each year. 

Looking to make a meaningful, long-lasting impact in educational equity? To support our region's future workforce and community leadership? Do you value high-quality mentors who help teens build skills to be the movers and shakers of their generation? 

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Podium is a community-led organization. This means the majority of our staff members are graduates of our programs and the schools we serve. Investing in Podium means directly empowering communities served to reinvest in themselves. This is a powerful way to make life-long change.

You can move the needle in literacy and language development for youth ages 11 - 19 living in high need communities in Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, and Henrico.

Sponsorships support the following initiatives. Levels are not finite. Podium will match your sponsorship goals to your monetary or in-kind contribution.
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8 Monetary Sponsorship Levels: $1,000 - $15,000+

$1,000:

The Zine Collaborator

 Sponsors 1 week of programs with a zine featured writing prompt.

$1,500: 

Central VA's Community   Creative

Sponsors 1 regional youth open mic night.

$2,500:

Podium's  Monumental  Mentor

Sponsors 1 weekly program for a 3-month session.

$4,000:

Central VA's Youth Workforce Preparer

 Sponsors 3 regional Teen Professional Conferences

$6,000:

Our Red Carpet A-Lister

Sponsors Podium's annual events: the Flash Fiction Competition, Bingo Night, Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Show 3000, & 2 regional youth open mic nights

$8,000:

Podium's  Prestigious  Publisher

Sponsors 8 quarterly zines & our annual literary journal printing

$11,000:

The Pulitzer of Programs

Sponsors 1 weekly program for 12-months

$15,000+:

Our Legacy Sponsor

Connect with Executive Director Vicki directly. Legacy sponsorships entail mult-year naming rights and more

I'm in! Take me to Podium's donate page, so I can sponsor today!
I'm interested and want to talk more!

4 In-Kind Sponsorship Levels

Publication  Sponsor:

Covers printing costs for Podium's quarterly zines and / or annual journal printing

Event Sponsor- Prizes:

Provides gift cards, certificates, merchandise, free consultation, or discounted products / services for raffles and auctions

Event Sponsor- Entertainment:

Provides donated food, beverage, alcohol, venue space, A/V equipment, or performance services

Program Sponsor:

Donates free consultation, workshop supplies, writing resources, communication games, curriculum tools, or pro bono services in nonprofit marketing, communications, finance, fundraising, or human resources

To provide an in-kind sponsorship, connect with Executive Director Vicki directly to coordinate donation and material pick up (if applicable).
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Benefits to sponsorship

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Brand awareness: Position your company as a champion of youth education and development. Sponsors are prominently featured on Podium's: 

    1. Website
    2. Social media channels
    3. Emails to supporters and the press
    4. Promotional and day-of-event materials
    5. Publication and program sponsors are featured in zine publications
    6. All $4,000+ sponsors are featured in Podium's annual literary journal

Financial incentives: Gain the tax benefits of supporting a 501c(3) nonprofit organization + Access new potential clients and customers.

Corporate reputation: Showcase your commitment to social responsibility and community impact + Build goodwill with employees and customers.

Company Team Building: Podium will help your team have fun together! Sponsorship on all levels includes: 

    • 2 tickets to Podium's Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Show 3000 in October,
    • 4 Bingo cards in June, OR
    • up to 6 Flash Fiction viewers or 2 competitor tickets in February. 
    • Sponsorship at the $6,000+ level includes tickets to all three events!

4 In-Kind Sponsorship Levels

Being a Podium sponsor not only provides the benefits shared above - it also means giving your company access to a wider audience. Showcase your community focus while sharing about your products and services to new audiences.

Annual Website Views: 13,340

    • Average time viewers spend on our homepage: 54 Seconds

Annual Email Subscribers: 1,982

SM Platforms

    • Facebook: 800+ followers
    • Instagram: 850+ followers
    • LinkedIn: 400+ followers

Podium's Annual Events:

    • Flash Fiction Competition every February: 20+ attendees. An online writing competition with a video showcase of sponsors and winning stories.
    • Bingo Night every June: 50+ attendees. A celebratory networking and game night with opportunity for full crowd engagement. Raffle held.   
    • Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Show 3000 every October: 100+ attendees. Podium's signature event, largely attended with press involvement. Opportunity for full crowd engagement. Raffle and silent auction held.
    • Youth Open Mic Nights every May and December: 50+ attendees each. Cornerstone youth event that connects supporters directly with Podium's mission, youth, families, and schools served. 

Our 2025 Sponsors

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