R&P - Sponsorship Solicitation & Management

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
FOR SOLICITATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SPONSORSHIPS
FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
SUBMITTAL DUE DATE: October 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Proposal submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. All responses must be
submitted to Alaina Reimer, AMReimer@columbus.gov. All proposals delivered after the due
date and time will not be considered. Questions related to this request should be directed via
email to: Alaina Reimer, AMReimer@columbus.gov by 5pm on Thursday October 22, 2026.
Answers to all questions will be posted on vendor service page by 5pm on Tuesday October
27th if applicable.
GENERAL
The City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD) seeks proposals from qualified
agencies who can effectively solicit sponsorships from local, regional, and national businesses,
ensure proper management and fulfillment of sponsorship agreements and maximize sponsorship
revenue to support department operations and programming.
BACKGROUND
The department is comprised of more than 400 parks on over 13,500 acres, with 28 community
centers, five athletic complexes, three art facilities, therapeutic recreational facility, six golf
courses, 230 miles of regional trails, six spraygrounds and interactive fountains, eight outdoor
pools and an indoor aquatics center, 25 nature preserves, three reservoirs, five dog parks, a skate
park and a range of programs for toddlers to seniors.
CRPD is in search of an agency to build custom sponsorship packages using the existing
platforms outlined below. The ideal candidate will propose a sponsorship revenue sharing plan
that is beneficial to the long-term operational and programming needs of the department, while
funding the agencies' service fees, profit, and overhead costs with said sponsorship packages
sold.
CRPD will make the distinction between an organization attending an event as a
promotion/advertiser/sponsor vs. selling the product. This advertised process will pertain
to promotion and sponsorship only, not the sales or operation on City facilities. CRPD will
not permit a vendor to sell a regulated substance or activity if not in compliance with the
applicable city and state regulations.
CRPD will not accept sponsorships/advertisements regarding the following: Political, Tobacco,
Smoking, Vaping, or adult content and sexually explicit material.
Any alternative sponsorships will be reviewed and approved based on the physical location of
the sponsorship and the intended user of each facility or event being sponsored. All major/title
sponsorships ($5,000 or more) will require the approval of the Director of Recreation and Parks,
and its commission prior to implementation.

Potential Sponsor opportunity, rights and benefits may include but are not limited to:
Right to use CRPD name and logo with department approval
Pass-through rights, with CRPD approval(to sponsor's non-competitive business partners)
Cross-promotion rights (with other CRPD sponsors and licenses)
Right to conduct promotions or pre-approved marketing campaigns
Right to conduct contests and sweepstakes
Right to conduct lead generating activities on-site
Opportunity to market directly to CRPD employees
Opportunity to provide products or services to department (as relevant)
Access to select audience data and opportunity to conduct brand research on key
demographics
Use of CRPD facilities to use for staff outings/retreats, subject to availability and
reservations.
Custom service projects for employees (i.e. Playground builds, Beautification projects, ,
Community center volunteering, etc.)
Inclusion in CRPD employee e-mail blasts with department approval
Opportunity to place custom branded, CRPD approved signage along the trail systems
Inclusion in press releases and media events related to sponsorship.
Rotating logo recognition on digital signage at youth and multigenerational community
centers
Opportunity to present branded programming and materials at community centers
Display space at youth and multigenerational community centers
Custom banner space at CRPD facilities and events
Opportunity to provide product and/or services to CRPD facilities
Potential naming rights of fields, facilities, or specific programs
Opportunity to exhibit at major sports events and tournaments
Opportunity to provide giveaways and special offers to tournament participants
Complementary Sports team registrations for adult sports leagues, subject to CRPD rules
and regulation.
Sports field/court Fence Signage/Banner
Sponsorship recognition in Berliner Sports Park map
Sponsorship recognition on Berliner Sports Park electronic signage
Sponsor recognition/banner at select Holiday events held at Recreation Centers
Logo/Banner/wraps, etc. at summer food sites and or gardening programs at CRPD
locations
Opportunity to provide branded supplies and equipment to CRPD facilities
Opportunity to provide giveaways and special offers to summer camps participants
Opportunity to brand shirts/uniforms, awards, etc. for youth sports, programming, and
camp participants
Social media presence on CRPD platforms

Health and Wellness
Fitness Rooms
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has 20 designated Get Active Fitness Centers with
specialized workout facilities, cardio equipment, weight machines and fitness classes. Members
have access to all 20 locations.
Trails
Columbus Recreation and Parks have over 230 miles of regional trails and many more miles of
paved paths in over 150 parks.
Sixty Plus Programming
Seniors can gain access to some of our moderate to high activity programs as well as some active
relaxation programs. All members have access to our senior fitness centers as well as our senior
sports programs, creativity, nature, wellness, and special interest classes.
Community Centers
Classes, Events, Summer Camps, at 28 locations throughout the City of Columbus
Aquatics
Columbus Recreation and Parks has eight outdoor pools, an indoor aquatic center and six spray
grounds and fountains. Our trained and knowledgeable staff offers a variety of water fitness
classes and lessons for all ages and skill levels.
Team Sponsorship Opportunities; Competitive Swim & Diving at all outdoor pools
during the summer, Competitive Club Swim & Diving at the Aquatics Center during
fall/winter, Host site for local high school swim meets through fall/winter.
Dog Parks
We know how much dogs love to go to the park! Five parks have off-the-leash areas where your
furry friends can really enjoy themselves. You can help develop a dog's positive behavior by
letting them socialize, and perhaps you may even make a friend of your own.

Sports
Lou Berliner Sports Park
Lou Berliner Sports Park is a Columbus Recreation and Parks premier Sports facility. The Park is
currently the nation's largest ball diamond complex. The facility proudly offers 31 permanently
fenced, turf infield baseball and softball diamonds. From March through November, Berliner is
filled with thousands of athletes and spectators participating in local, state and national events.
15 of the diamonds have lights and the park also offers 5 concession hubs with a full-service
concession stand and restrooms.
Berliner Sports Park Hosts more than (60) tournaments yearly.
Over 360,000 visits yearly include baseball, fastpitch softball, and adult softball
participants and spectators.
Anheuser-Busch Sports Park
Nestled close to the beautiful Clintonville area of Columbus directly off Highway 315, this
Sports Park is a mixed, multi-use facility capable of hosting pickleball, softball, baseball, and
basketball at Bill McDonald Athletic Complex. Busch Park is undergoing significant upgrades
across 2026-2027 including updating 4 infields from standard clay to upgraded turf for both
league and tournament play.
Spindler Road Park
Located on Columbus's west side, Spindler Road Park is a natural grass soccer facility capable of
comfortably fitting up to 26 soccer fields in multiple configurations. Spindler Park has served as
the premiere natural grass soccer complex of Columbus, hosting multiple adult and youth soccer
tournaments attracting thousands of both local and nationwide visitors. Spindler Road Park also
covers a half mile expanse of Spinder Road; a popular throughway connecting Interstate 70 and
Roberts Rd.
Cooper Sports Park
Located in Columbus's Northland area, Cooper Sports Park is a 35-acre natural grass
soccer/multi-purpose facility that can comfortably fit up to 8 soccer fields in multiple
configurations. Cooper Park is a unique facility that allows for both tournaments play and access
for the locals in the surrounding communities. Cooper Park also provides access to the popular
Alum Creek Trail.
Kilbourne Run
Located at 4625 Westerville Road, Kilbourne Run Sports Park stretches over 62 acres, which
includes 35 acres dedicated to soccer fields. Currently, the park provides 16 fields of various
sizes, parking lots, multiple open-air shelters, and a connector trail that leads to the Alum Creek
Greenway. With over 200,000 participants on average per year, this sports park has become one
of Columbus' busiest soccer facilities. In 2022, the city determined Kilbourne Run Sports Park
deserved significant investment to improve the community's access to prime soccer facilities.
Kilbourne Run also incorporates free community use through a free community access turf field
with an additional community access grass field anticipated to open in Spring of 2027.

Golf
6 COURSES-Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's golf courses offer memorable
opportunities for all ages, on and off the course. Prepare yourself for an unparalleled golfing
experience. Our courses are a pleasure for golfers of any skill level to play. Test your accuracy
with our fairways, water hazards and bunkers - we have everything needed to challenge you
and improve your game.
Environmental Sustainability
Conservation
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is committed to preserving and enhancing the
environment for all to enjoy. Preserving, protecting and growing our natural environment is
critical to Columbus' sustainability efforts.
Columbus relies on Columbus Recreation and Parks Department to be among the best in the
country at applying evidence-based management to protect natural resources and provide quality
outdoor experiences. The Conservation section prioritizes equity, access, adventure and
education to connect the people of our community with nature.
Natural resources and asset management: Conserve, preserve and protect the City's ecosystems,
wildlife and cultural features.
Outdoor education and recreation: Connecting residents with opportunities to learn about our
natural environment and the importance of conservation.
Volunteer
We are always seeking groups, organizations and individuals to assist in a wide variety of
activities, event and programs all year long.
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is grateful for each volunteer that supports the city
in creating positive life experiences for residents as they enjoy the community's natural and
recreational amenities.
Youth Enrichment
Youth Development
CRPD provides access to a comprehensive set of programs that help teens and young adults
realize their dreams and overcome barriers to a successful future.
By focusing on the "preschool through professional roadmap," families can access a series of
programs that support children as they grow. Programs engage children and young adults in
activities that support their academic, social-emotional and professional development, and help
them take a more positive path if they get off course.

Programs are integrated with other department offerings and focus on four key areas:
Career Pathways: The Job Readiness Program provides practical, foundational work
experience, training and career pathways with the City and local businesses.
Neighborhood Violence Intervention: The ReRoute and VOICE programs seek to
interrupt negative behaviors and stop the cycle of violence through comprehensive
support including system navigation, service linkage, crisis intervention, life planning
and incentives. VOICE is a partnership with Columbus Public Health and OhioHealth
Grant Medical Center.
Community Outreach: Bringing services into communities builds connections and
removes barriers. Outreach includes free mobile produce markets and door-to door
engagement.
Access to Recreation: Center Without Walls (CWOW) provides access to youth programs
in neighborhoods without an easily accessible community center. Activities include
competitive and strategy games, sports, arts and crafts, science, field trips, special guests
and more.
Youth Sports
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department offers youth sports programming for ages 4-18
at 27 of our Community Centers.
Team/ League Sponsorship Opportunities: Baseball, Basketball, Esports, Girl's
Volleyball, Fastpitch Softball, Flag Football (Co-Ed, Boys, Girls), Soccer (Co-Ed, Boys,
Girls), Tee-Ball
After School Programs
After-school programs play an important role in the success of the community by creating a safe
place for school-age kids and teens to learn, explore and grow. Columbus Recreation and Parks
offer a variety of after-school programs to meet the diverse needs of the Columbus community.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Arts Academy allows young artists, ages 5-15, to grow
through an in-depth experience in visual art, dance, music and theatre, taught by professionals.
Afterschool Rec Club is a free afterschool program aimed at students K-8th grade that provides
them with a safe place to learn and engage in a wide variety of recreational activities. The
popular Capital Kids program is now part of this new initiative.
Columbus' community centers offer a variety of classes for youth of all ages after school. Each
center provides programming unique to that community. Check out your local center to learn
more about the programs offered.

Cultural Arts
Arts
Arts feed one's soul and creativity. Whether you're a patron or an artist, participating in the arts
engages your mind, creates a sense of community and evokes emotion. CRPD offer beginner to
advanced classes focusing on acting, dance, music, writing, painting, pottery and more.
The Fran Ryan Center is a creative arts and wellness hub offering dynamic, hands-on
programming for all ages. With eight specialty creative art studios and room for more, there is
something for everyone. Explore woodworking, ceramics, digital arts, stained glass, fabric arts,
painting, lapidary and more, or take advantage of our wellness programs, which include a fitness
center, group exercise classes and nutrition workshops. This is your destination to grow, connect
and thrive in creativity and well-being.
Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center proudly managed by Columbus Recreation and Parks;
this adult arts center offers classes, workshops, exhibitions and original gifts. With a long line-up
of painting, jewelry, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, pottery classes, and beyond, the Tyson
Cultural Arts Center offers a vast array of options for both beginning and experienced artists. The
center is home to two galleries showing some of the most impressive work Ohio artists have to
offer. The Main Gallery features collections of work following specific themes or in specific
artistic media, usually by a variety of artists from across the state.
The Columbus Performing Arts Center is a 21,000-square-foot space dedicated to the arts. It is
home to two performance spaces, the 170 seat Van Fleet Theatre and the 60 seat Shedd Stage.
Here the CPAC players create three community theatre productions each year. Auditions are
open to everyone! This building is also the home for several performing arts companies. The
facility can be rented for music, dance, stand up, film or theatre performance.
Food Security
Food and Nutrition
Columbus Recreation and Parks believe that food and nutrition are cornerstones to wellness and
we provide multiple options for people looking for assistance with food.
Our Summer Food Program offers free, nutritionally balanced meals at our community
centers, schools and nonprofit partner locations during the summer months. The program
operates from June to August' service days and times will vary by site. Each summer, more than
200,000 meals were served in the Columbus area.
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department offers Mobile Produce Markets which provide a
one-week supply of fresh produce to eligible families at no cost to them. The markets are held
from April through November at select community centers throughout the City.

Educational Gardens
Educational Gardens are located at community centers throughout the city. It is a gardening and
health program that educates youth on how to plant and harvest vegetables as well as the
importance of eating healthy. Food grown in the gardens is distributed to the participants and
center attendees.
Social Equity
Therapeutic Recreation
The Therapeutic Recreation Section connects our community to accessible, adaptive and
inclusive recreation experiences in the areas of aquatics, health and wellness, leisure education,
sports, and summer camp.
Whether living with a disability that is visible or invisible, developmental or physical, lifelong or
acquired, Therapeutic Recreation programs aim to enhance each person's physical, social, and
emotional well-being.
Team Sponsorship Opportunities: Blind Hockey, Boccia, Wheelchair Track & Field, wheelchair
Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Softball, Wheelchair Tennis.
Centers of Opportunity
The purpose of the centers for opportunity model is to enhance community centers by supporting
neighbors and strengthening neighborhoods. This model focuses on 11 community centers
located in the eight CelebrateOne target neighborhoods, where high levels of social inequality
exist, and is committed to addressing the social determinants of health.
Park Volunteer Projects
Volunteers support local play areas through routine maintenance, safety upkeep, and seasonal
clean-ups across the city's 280+ playgrounds.
Playground Clean-Ups: Volunteers help spread fresh safety mulch, clear debris, and perform
general tidying around neighborhood play structures.
Landscaping and Planting: Groups and individuals assist with mulching, planting, and
maintaining green spaces adjacent to park facilities.
Litter Clean-Ups: Partnering with Keep Columbus Beautiful to clear waste and keep active
recreational zones safe for children.
Playground Builds: CRPD organized and managed events with donated equipment and supplies,
using both staff and volunteer labor.

SCOPE OF WORK
The selected agency will be responsible for:
Sponsorship Solicitation:
Identifying appropriate and relevant sponsorship opportunities to include: individuals,
national and local businesses and organizations, brand sponsors, etc.
Developing sponsorship packages and proposals tailored to various levels of sponsorship
in coordination with CRPD.
Engaging with potential sponsors through meetings, presentations, and follow-ups.
Securing commitments from sponsors.
Sponsorship Management:
Managing and fulfilling sponsorship agreements, ensuring that all sponsor benefits are
delivered as promised before, during and after each event, program or activity.
Coordinating with CRPD and other stakeholders to integrate sponsorships into
department programming and facility use.
Providing regular updates and reports to CRPD on the status of sponsorships.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING PROPOSAL
Submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. All responses must be sent to Alaina
Reimer, AMReimer@columbus.gov, with "Sponsorship Management RFP Response" in the
subject line. An email confirmation of receipt will be sent within a one-week period to the
designated point of contact.
Submittals should contain a point by point response to the following:
Executive Summary:
A letter of interest that includes a synopsis of qualifications, experience and approach to
sponsorship solicitation and management.
Company Profile:
Profile of agency and any subcontractors including number of employees, ownership
structure, location, and relevant experience working on similar projects within the last
three (3) years.
Detailed Approach and Methodology:
A detailed plan outlining how the agency intends to achieve the objectives and scope of
the work outlined in this RFP.
Experience and Qualifications:
Description of previous experience in sponsorship solicitation and management,
particularly for programs and facilities of similar scope and magnitude as described in the
RFP.
A sample sponsorship package/sale deck.
References from at least 3 past clients, preferably but not necessarily from a municipality
or government agency, related to a contract of similar scope and magnitude as described
in this RFP.

Team Composition:
Information on the team that will be working on this project, including their roles and
qualifications.
Financial Proposal:
A detailed cost proposal, including any retainer fees, commission structures, or other
relevant financial information.
Timeline:
Proposed timeline for the solicitation and management of sponsorships, including key
milestones and deliverables.
Failure to respond to all points above in proposal may be grounds for rejection.
SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
A review committee will evaluate all responses to this Request for Proposals. Interviews may or
may not be scheduled. The basis for evaluating proposals shall include the demonstrated ability
to complete the project, professional excellence, demonstrated experience and competence in the
services to be provided, price structure and process. The committee may contact any or all
respondents to clarify submitted information.
Important Considerations
The City reserves the right, at their sole discretion, to 1) reject any or all submittals, 2) waive
minor informalities of a submittal, 3) cancel, revise, or extend this solicitation, 4) request
additional information as deemed necessary.
This Request for Proposals does not obligate the City of Columbus to pay any costs incurred by
any respondent in the submission of a proposal.
The City will give preference to agencies located in the City of Columbus and secondly, in the
State of Ohio, when other considerations are equal.
The City reserves the right to cancel this Request For Proposals at any time; to void this Request
For Proposals and the review process and/or terminate negotiations at any time; to revise any
conditions and stipulations contained herein, as convenient or necessary; to further negotiate
financial and other arrangements; to establish further criteria for selection; to ask respondent to
submit additional information with respect to any aspect of respondent's submission whatsoever;
and to negotiate with respondent as to any aspect of respondent's proposal whatsoever.
Respondent shall carefully examine this Request For Proposals and shall make all necessary
investigations to fully inform themselves as to the local conditions and requirements under which
work is to be performed. Respondent shall familiarize themselves with all applicable federal,
state, and local statutes, regulations, ordinances relating to the conduct of work pursuant to this
Request for Proposals, and shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
ordinances, and rules and regulations. No pleas of ignorance of conditions, statutes or ordinances
will be accepted as an excuse for any failure or omission on the part of the respondent to fulfill
every requirement of the Request for Proposals and to perform as described in such respondent's
proposal.