Community sponsorships

We’re proud to celebrate over 70 years of giving back to the community we serve by supporting efforts to improve the quality of life in our region.

Our sponsorship program accepts applications year-round. We support hundreds of community events and initiatives each year! Sponsorship can range from SMUD event participation and in-kind donations to a financial sponsorship (generally not exceeding $2,500). 

New for 2025: If you’re looking to mobilize SMUD employees for a volunteer opportunity, submit a volunteer project request. Learn more about SMUD volunteering in the community.

SMUD employees gathered around a SMUD booth holding up "Join the Charge" giveaway items at an outdoor event.

 

Examples of the kind of activities we can sponsor:

  • Events associated with marketing packages, tradeshows or other community functions such as dinners or luncheons that enable us to reach targeted customers and groups
  • Conferences that allow us to educate customers about specific programs, services and initiatives
  • Activities that allow us to reach our customers and stakeholders directly
  • Partnerships that drive customer participation in SMUD's programs and services
  • Partnerships that supports regional economic development or that attract and retain business
  • Partnerships that supports local small business participation in our SEED program

Our key values

Through financial support, employee volunteerism, education through our speakers bureau and partnerships with customers and nonprofit organizations, we eagerly support causes that make a difference and align with our 4 key values:

Leadership  

  • Economic development
  • Civic leadership

Integrity

  • Environmental stewardship
  • Supplier diversity

Ingenuity

  • Education (focused on science, technology, engineering and math)
  • Workforce development (focused on clean energy)

Community

  • Diversity and culture
  • Healthy, sustainable communities

Volunteerism

  • Community vitality
  • Employee engagement

 

SMUD is governed by the Municipal Utility District Act, which provides clear guidelines for the kinds of activities and requests we can support.

Examples of entities and activities we can't support:

  • Charitable donation/cash gift
  • Individual lobbying activities
  • Political fundraisers or partisan activities
  • Grants or general operating support
  • Religious activities
  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin
  • Operating or travel expenses
  • Individual school requests, including field trips, fundraisers, graduations, performing arts events and sports teams
  • Recreational/competitive sports teams, individual sports teams and/or individual sporting events/tournaments
  • An event/activity that is solely focused on the consumption of drugs or alcohol, or promotion of firearms or gambling
  • Donations of SMUD electric service for which a fee is normally charged

Examples of activities we typically don’t support:

  • Sports tournaments (golf, pickleball, basketball, etc.)
  • Specific health-related causes
  • Runs, walks, bike rides, etc.
  • Crab or spaghetti feeds

    •  

    Apply for sponsorship

    We receive a high volume of sponsorship applications each year. Due to limited sponsorship dollars and staff resources, applications are more likely to succeed if they meet the criteria below. If you don’t meet all criteria, you may still submit your application for consideration.

    • My organization is:
      • Based in or primarily providing services in the SMUD service area.
      • A 501(c) charitable organization, 509(a) public charity/private foundation, 501(c)6 chamber of commerce, or a local government entity seeking sponsorship for something that will benefit SMUD customers.
    • My sponsorship request:
      • Will reach more than 100 SMUD customers.
      • Includes a sponsorship package outlining the list of benefits for consideration.
      • Aligns with SMUD's key values.
      • Is for an activity/event more than 60 days from now.
      • Doesn't exceed $2,500.
      • Is for something that isn't currently receiving funding from SMUD.
    • Apply early: Submit your application at least 60 days prior to your event.
    • Review SMUD’s application: We encourage you to review the application components and prepare all documents needed prior to submission. Download a fillable form to aid you with your online submission.
    • Learn what SMUD doesn’t sponsor: Review examples above of entities and activities that SMUD doesn’t sponsor.
    • Plan ahead: Check community calendars for conflicting dates with other events.
    • Sponsorship package: Include a sponsorship package outlining a list of benefits for consideration. See an example of a sponsorship package.
    • Be flexible: We’ll work with you to create a custom sponsorship package.
    • Apply for multiple events/activities: We welcome the opportunity to review multiple sponsorship requests from the same organization to bundle a sponsorship. Share this information in your application.

    Apply now

    After you apply

    • You'll hear from the Community Engagement team within 1–6 weeks (depending on proximity of event date) regarding approval or declination of your application.
    • If approved, you will:
      • Receive a sponsorship offer via email, which may include a custom sponsorship package.  
      • Be asked to submit an invoice (please see this editable invoice template as an example).
    • Please note that sponsorship payments are processed post-event/activity.  

    Contact us

    For general questions and/or technical issues relating to your application, email SMUD's Community Relations Department or call 1-916-732-6817.