Sponsorship Opportunities
Festival Sponsorship
The biennial Gilmore Festival is a unique and exciting marketing opportunity for your company. As a Festival sponsor, your company name will be seen during four months of strategic media buys and dynamic promotions. Not only will you be supporting music education and arts programs in our community, but your company’s image also will be associated with one of Michigan’s most significant cultural events. During the Festival, you’ll have the opportunity to see and hear some of the world’s greatest keyboard artists, and you’ll be able to share the experience with clients and employees.
Marketing Benefits
National Public Radio – 2 Million Listeners
The Gilmore Festival is planned to be broadcast on NPR's Performance Today and JazzSet. Major underwriters are acknowledged on air on a rotating basis.
Gilmore Web site – 2.5 million hits; 275,000 visits Sept - May
Interactive Web site will feature sponsor logo that links to sponsor's own Web site.
Souvenir Festival Book – Distribution 12,500
Sponsor will be acknowledged in this book that is handed to each patron attending our 100-plus Festival events in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor/St. Joseph and surrounding communities. Goes to press six weeks prior to Festival.
Festival Season Brochure – Distribution 25,000+
Includes photos and biographical statements about the artists, a schedule of Festival events, and a ticket order form. Sponsor logo will appear with description of sponsored event. Goes to press seven months prior to Festival.
Print Advertising – Circulation 200,000+
Sponsor will be included in selected Festival ads run in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor/St. Joseph and other regional print media. Ads begin three months prior to Festival.
Electronic Media – Potential Audience 1,000,000
Diamond Sponsor logos and/or names will be included in our regional radio and TV advertising. Ads begin three months prior to Festival.
Gilmore Newsletter – Circulation 12,000
Sponsor will be acknowledged in our newsletter, In the Key of G.
On-site Recognition
Sponsor will be acknowledged in pre-event announcement, and logo will appear on program notes handed to patrons at the sponsored event.
Sponsorship Levels and Festival Benefits
Major Underwriters – $50,000 and above
- Free full-page color ad in Festival book, $3,000 value
- Major Sponsor Spotlight in Festival book (CEO photo, your copy and logo)
- Logo in all Gilmore publications and advertising
- 1% of house seats at the sponsored event
- Complimentary tickets for any Festival event
- Invitation to Festival Preview Party
- 8 tickets to Gala concert, followed by a reception for donors and sponsors
- 15% ticket discount on all Festival events for all employees
Diamond Sponsors – $30,000–49,999
- Free full-page color ad in Festival book, $3,000 value
- Major Sponsor Spotlight in Festival book (CEO photo, editorial copy and logo)
- 1% of house seats at the sponsored event
- Invitation to Festival Preview Party
- 6 tickets to Gala concert, followed by a reception for donors and sponsors
- 15% ticket discount on all Festival events for all employees
Platinum Sponsors – $15,000–29,999
- Free 1/2-page color ad in Festival book, $1,800 value
- 1% of house seats at the sponsored event
- Invitation to Festival Preview Party
- 6 tickets to Gala concert, followed by a reception for donors and sponsors
- 15% ticket discount on all Festival events for all employees
Gold Sponsors – $10,000–14,999
- Free 1/3-page color ad in Festival book, $1,100 value
- 1% of house seats at fully sponsored event
- Invitation to Festival Preview Party
- 6 tickets to Gala concert, followed by a reception for donors and sponsors
- 15% ticket discount on all Festival events for all employees
Silver Sponsors – $5,000–9,999
- 1% of house seats at fully sponsored event
- Invitation to Festival Preview Party
- 4 tickets to Gala concert, followed by a reception for donors and sponsors
- 15% ticket discount on all Festival events for all employees
Bronze Sponsors – $1,000–4,999
- 4 tickets to sponsored event
- Invitation to Festival Preview Party
- 4 tickets to Gala concert, followed by a reception for donors and sponsors
- 15% ticket discount on all Festival events for all employees
Copper Sponsors – $500–999
- 2 tickets to sponsored event
- Invitation to Festival Preview Party
- 2 tickets to Gala concert, followed by a reception for donors and sponsors
- 15% ticket discount on all Festival events for all employees
Rising Stars Recital Series Sponsorship
You can sponsor a concert in our Rising Stars Recital Series, which we present each year in collaboration with the Ravinia Festival. This series brings young artists from around the world to the intimate Wellspring Theatre in the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo, Mich. Recitals are presented on Sunday evenings in the fall and spring.
Rising Stars Recitals Sponsor Benefits
Sponsors of this unique and successful series will receive the following benefits:
- Recognition in:
- media releases about the series
- radio interview – WMUK
- print advertising for the series
- Encore magazine
- Kalamazoo Gazette
- posters
- program notes for each concert
- The Gilmore newsletter, In the Key of G , distribution 7,000
- The Gilmore Web site, www.thegilmore.com
- Announcement of sponsorship at the performance
- 6 complimentary tickets to the sponsored performance
- Opportunity to meet the artist
Education Sponsorship
You can sponsor our overall Education Programs, or underwrite a specific program.
An Organization You’ll Be Proud to Sponsor
For many, the decision to invest goes beyond marketing benefits and complimentary tickets. They give because they see the powerful impact The Gilmore has on the quality of life in our region and its ability to:
- Attract visitors and their vacation dollars to West Michigan
- Offer important educational opportunities for all ages
- Encourage community pride and ownership through The Gilmore’s 400+ volunteers
- Promote regional collaboration in West Michigan
If you have a question, please e-mail Alice Kemerling, director of development, or call 269/342-1166 or 800/347-4266, Ext. 3116.
Giving to The Gilmore
When you support The Gilmore with a donation, you’ll receive valuable benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to our Frequently Asked Questions will provide the information you need to make a donation.
Corporate Matching
Your gift can be doubled or tripled through our Corporate Matching Gift Program.