1. art and entertainment
2. visual art and design
3. design
4. graphic design

Thank you for the opportunity to submit a proposal for the Once in a Lifetime
Gala on April 18, 2015 at the Horseshoe Casino Grand Ballroom. The event is
th
entering its 8 year and has already become one of Cincinnati’s largest galas,
grossing more than $318,000 last year.
Is This An Established Event?
The Once in a Lifetime Gala was started in 2007 soon after the charity began
and has quickly become one of Cincinnati’s premier galas and notably one of
the most unique. It is estimated we will sell out again this year with over 800
guests at $150-$250 per ticket. The event hosts exclusive auction items and
perks for our special guests. Following the extensive 500 item silent auction,
guests are invited to a gourmet sit-down meal. The evening ends with an
entertaining live auction of once in a lifetime experiences.
What is VIP?
New this year we will offer an exclusive after party for our VIPs, including
special raffle items, instructional gaming, unbelievable SWAG bags, late night
munchies as well as drinks. Special sponsorship opportunities are available
for this portion of the night.
What Makes This Gala Unique?
Each year a theme is selected which is not only playful, but also mirrors The Cure Starts Now’s national focus. 2014 will mark
our eighth year. To honor this achievement, including all of the wonderful research funded, family connections made and
partnerships that have turned into friendships through the Once in a Lifetime gala, we introduce a Viva Las Vegas theme to
celebrate our move to Horseshoe Casino.
Who are our Sponsors?
Most of our sponsors have been with us from the beginning of this event with many of them choosing to increase their
financial donations each year. Companies who support the gala, and most importantly pediatric cancer research, become
vital partners with The Cure Starts Now. They choose to not only support the event, but also become further involved
through partnerships later in the year or by serving on our councils to help guide the direction of the charity. Our sponsors
are distinctly aware that in addition to their need to support The Cure Starts Now for the charitable reasons, they receive
enormous advertising benefits for their company.
“… this win-win style of partnership
between charities and business is the
wave of the future, and The Cure Starts
Now is certainly on the cutting edge ….”
- Richard Graeter, Graeter’s Ice Cream
“… we were amazed by the size and
positive energy of the crowd, the
scope and quality of the silent
auction offerings and the truly
unique experiences featured in the
live auction.”
-Charlie Howard, Gold Star Chili
“Being a sponsor at the Cure Starts
Now Gala has not only been fulfilling
commitment to a wonderful cause,
but it has also been a pleasure
working with the Gala committee on
all of the logistics in preparing and
producing the event!”
- Carla Eng, CEO of Abstract Displays
A 501C3 Non-Profit Foundation – #26-0269131 Locations Worldwide in
OH, KY, AL, DC, NE, AR, VA, WV, GA, UT, TN, NY, TX-Dallas, CA, MN, NC, IL, TX-Houston and Australia
10280 Chester Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
www.thecurestartsnow.org
Voice 513.772.4888 Fax 513.326.3852
Hero Sponsors
New this year, we are honoring our heroes, the kids who have battled cancer or are currently
battling cancer. Each pre-selected child will have their picture at the event and we are inviting
companies to sponsor a child who is battling for an additional $1,000. Your company logo or name
will be included on the picture that will hang in a prominent location and you will also receive a copy
of the sign to hang up in your location as a reminder of the contribution you made in honoring their
lives. It is an incredible way to show your support and make a lasting impression as a supporter of
children battling cancer. Limited quantities are available. First come first served.
Where Does the Money Go?
Started in 2007 by Cincinnati residents, The Cure Starts Now Foundation, a 501(c)(3)
non-profit, has revolutionized cancer research worldwide with its focus on a “homerun
cure” for all cancers, starting first with those cancers that experts believe we can learn
the most from. In 2014 we reached over $2.6 million in funding which has allowed us to
provide funding of new experimental treatments and research at top pediatric oncology
hospitals including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Today, our fundraising initiatives have
taken many forms from the bestselling Graeter’s Ice Cream Flavor of Elena’s Blueberry
Pie Ice Cream that sells nationwide, to campaigns at all Gold Star Chili restaurants and
community partnerships with each of our 26 chapters nationwide. The Cure Starts Now
has also been recognized by The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, People
Magazine, Inside Edition and media worldwide for the inspiration it offers to all that
fight cancer. Elena’s inspiration has also touched millions worldwide, cited as a top
search term on Yahoo.com and as the subject of the New York Time Bestseller “Notes
Left Behind”, which benefits the charity.
Why Does This Make Sense for Your Company?
“The organizational excellence and
mission have proven to be a great
match for the principals that we
strive to be involved with in the
communities we serve”
- Mitch Nice, Stock Yards Bank
We pride ourselves in ensuring that your company is recognized for the contribution you
have made. Last year logos were placed on over 40 signs, on numerous emails and print
correspondence, as well as our extensive social media outlets. Previous advertising
featuring top sponsors reached over 200,000 households with over 550,000 unique
impressions to the Greater Cincinnati audience through social media, email and print.
We love to tell our donors about the incredible contributions made by our sponsoring
companies. The Cure Starts Now donors are very loyal to our sponsors. Knowing that a
company is a partner with CSN, often is the deciding point for our donors in deciding who
to patronize.
Our past sponsors have all made exceptional commitments not only to The Cure Starts
Now, but also to the children who are battling cancer. It is easy as a mother who has lost
her daughter to urge businesses to join us in eradicating cancer, but these sponsors have
become true partners in the fight without hesitation. They have made a difference in so
many young lives by funding research and making a lifelong impact in their lives. We
hope to have your company become a part of a tight knit community of businesses
making a difference through The Cure Starts Now.
Previous Year’s Top Sponsors
Thank you for your consideration. We would love to setup a meeting to discuss this
opportunity further. If you do not see a level that is appropriate to your company, we are
happy to work with you. It is more than a sponsorship, it is a partnership.
Brooke Desserich
Founder and Executive Director
(513) 772-4888
brooke@thecurestartsnow.org
A 501C3 Non-Profit Foundation – #26-0269131
10280 Chester Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
www.thecurestartsnow.org
Voice 513.772.4888 Fax 513.326.3852
Sponsorship Agreement
If you do not see a sponsorship level that is appropriate for your company, we are happy to
work with you. After selecting the level, please sign and send the sponsorship commitment
form. Unless payment is accompanied with this form, we will bill you. Waiting for a fiscal year
end? We are happy to work with you to coordinate billing and payment to match your
company’s timeline. All payments must be received before the deadlines below to receive the
full benefits unless prior arrangements have been made with The Cure Starts Now.
Company Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Billing Address: ________________________________________________________________________
Billing City: ____________________________________ Billing State: _______ Zip code: ____________
Company Contact Name: __________________________________ Phone Number: _________________
Company Contact Email: _________________________________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Date: ___________________
Sponsorship Levels are detailed on the following page. In-kind donations are counted as 50% of value.
Presenting - $25,000
Silver - $5,000
VIP After Party - $12,000
Bronze - $2,500
Diamond - $10,000
VIP Table - $2,000
Bar - $7,500
Regular Table - $1,500
Sponsor a hero for $1,000 additional? (see the description on page 2 under “Hero Sponsor”)
Yes
No
Total Sposnorship Amount $ _______________
Check Enclosed
Credit Card
Bill Me
In Kind (Actual Value $ ____________ )
Credit Card Number: ___________________________________ Exp Date: ___________ Sec Code: __________
Please contact us with questions:
Rick Merk
(513) 772-4888
rick.merk@thecurestartsnow.org
Deadlines:
Invitation Deadline – December 1, 2014
Print Advertising – February 1, 2015
Program Advertising – March 1, 2015
Fax Form to (513) 326-3852 or mail to 10280 Chester Road; Cincinnati, OH 45215
The Cure Starts Now Foundation is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) FEIN 26-0269131
Sponsorship Levels
EVENT SEATS
PRESENTING
30 VIP SEATS
$25,000
2 AVAILABLE
PROGRAM
LISTING
SIGNAGE AT THE EVENT
INCLUDED IN THE
EVENT WEBSITE
PROMINENTLY
AD SPACE IN
PROGRAM
INCLUDED IN
INVITATIONS
1 FULL PAGE
COLOR AD
PROMINENTLY
1
DISPLAYED AS
DEDICATED
SCREEN
LOGO IN MULTIPLE
AREAS & IN LOOPING
MULTIMEDIA SLIDES
LOGO
LOGO ON SIGNAGE AT
THE VIP AFTER PARTY
AND ON LOOPING
MULTIMEDIA SLIDES
LOGO & LINK PLUS
A SPECIAL
MENTION ON VIP
AFTER PARTY PAGE
1 FULL PAGE
BLACK & WHITE
AD
LOGO
“PRESENTED BY”
“PRESENTED BY”
WITH LOGO
WITH LOGO & LINK
AT
ENTRANCE
TV SCREENS
LOGO ON
COVER AND
INSIDE
DISPLAYED AS
AD OR LOGO
VIP AFTER PARTY
20 VIP SEATS
GOLD
15 VIP SEATS
LOGO
LOGO IN MULTIPLE
AREAS & IN LOOPING
MULTIMEDIA SLIDES
LOGO & LINK
1 FULL PAGE
BLACK & WHITE
AD
LOGO
LOOPING
ON 2
SCREENS
BAR
10 VIP SEATS
LOGO
LOGO IN MULTIPLE
AREAS & IN LOOPING
MULTIMEDIA SLIDES
LOGO AT BARS
LOGO & LINK
HALF PAGE
BLACK & WHITE
AD
LOGO
LOOPING
ON 2
SCREENS
SILVER
LOGO
HALF PAGE
BLACK & WHITE
AD
LOGO
UPGRADE TO ALL VIP
FOR $300
LOGO ON ENTRANCE
SIGN & LOOPING
MULTIMEDIA SLIDES
LOGO & LINK
$5,000
UNLIMITED
6 REGULAR &
4 VIP SEATS.
BRONZE
10 REGULAR
SEATS OR
SMALL LOGO
LOGO ON ENTRANCE
SIGN & LOOPING
MULTIMEDIA SLIDES
LOGO
HALF PAGE
BLACK & WHITE
AD
$12,000
3 AVAILABLE
$10,000
10 AVAILABLE
$7,500
6 AVAILABLE
$2,500
UNLIMITED
UPGRADE TO VIP
SEATS FOR $500
VIP TABLE
10 VIP SEATS
REGULAR TABLE
10
REGULAR SEATS
HERO SPONSOR
$1,000 ADDITIONAL
INCLUDED IN VIP
SWAG BAG
LOGO & LINK
INCLUDED IN
PRESS
RELEASES
OPPORTUNITY
TO INCLUDE 2
ITEMS IN BAG
LOGO & LINK
OPPORTUNITY
TO INCLUDE 2
ITEMS IN BAG
WITH SPECIAL
MENTION
LOGO & LINK
OPPORTUNITY
TO INCLUDE 1
ITEM IN BAG
LOGO OR NAME ON
TABLE
$2,000
$1,500
EMAIL BLASTS
& SOCIAL
MEDIA
NAME ONLY
LOGO ON HERO SIGN
SPECIAL DESIGNATION
AS A HERO SPONSOR
AT YOUR TABLES
Don’t see a sponsorship level that matches your commitment level?
We’re happy to accommodate, just ask!