MADISON – How important are sponsors in their role with Madison Street Festival?

“Sponsorship is the lifeblood of the Madison Street Festival,” MSF President Crystal McBrayer said.

“The MSF (Committee) is back to planning for another magical festival in historic downtown Madison on Oct. 7, 2023,” McBrayer said about the festival’s 41st anniversary.

“We couldn’t host this event without the support of amazing community businesses who partner with us through our sponsorship program. Our sponsors are integral to the event’s success, year after year,” McBrayer said. “With the help of sponsors, we can host a free-to-the-public event, along with free activities that our community can enjoy.”

The MSF sponsorship drive starts the committee’s planning year, allowing MSF contacts to have the opportunity to work with the sponsors throughout the year as the committee plans and advertises the festival.

“We’re a 501(c)3 non-profit so a sponsor’s contributions are tax-deductible. Whether an interested sponsor’s objective is community giving, marketing, public relations or a combination of all three, partnering with the MSF is a great opportunity,” McBrayer said.

Keegan Mumaw, Emily Garay and Casey Mosbarger are leading the 2023 sponsorship team, which works one on one with each sponsor to help make their experience personable and enjoyable. This team can answer any questions about sponsorship, whether by email or a meeting.

“We love our sponsors and feel honored when they choose to partner with us. The MSF sponsorship team will work diligently to ensure sponsors are (pleased),” McBrayer said.

In addition, sponsors help MSF’s mission as a 501(c)3 organization. After managing their budget to pay all required expenses, conducting the festival and projecting next year’s start-up costs, the MSF Committee returns all profits to the community with their grant program.

“Our mission is to motivate and support students of all ages and abilities by providing access to educational programs,” McBrayer said. Anyone in the community with a program that nurtures education can apply for MSF grants from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.

Grant recipients in 2022 ranged from STEM programs, literacy, music education, robotics and scholarships to educational conventions. “The amount we give back each year is different, but our mission is the same — to support our community’s amazing educational programs,” McBrayer said.

The MSF Committee is searching constantly for new sponsors and new relationships. “As we continue to grow as a community, the need grows with it,” McBrayer said. “Our goal each year is to increase our number of sponsors so that we can increase our number of grants.”

April 1 is the deadline to partner with the 2023 Madison Street Festival. For more information, email msf.sponsor@gmail.com. For registration, visit madisonstreetfestival.org/sponsors.