SPONSORS & FUNDING

Sponsor More Than an Event

NWANA sponsorship is not limited to a race, banner, logo placement, or single local program.

Organizations can support the infrastructure that makes Nordic Walking education, local development, competition, professional preparation, and North American expansion possible.

NWANA is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity building the education, professional licensing, group, competition, technology, governance, and partnership infrastructure through which Nordic Walking can develop at scale.

Support the System Behind Local Growth

NWANA does not intend to operate every local Nordic Walking program itself.

Instead, it creates the shared system that existing organizations and qualified professionals can use locally.

That means sponsors and funders can support something larger than one class or one city.

They can help build the capacity through which many communities can participate.

Areas You Can Support

NWANA Organizational Capacity

Support the professional capacity required to operate and expand the continental system.

Potential support areas include:

• partnerships and development;
• operations;
• communications;
• technology and CRM;
• field representation;
• regional development;
• organizational infrastructure.

Academy & Professional Education

Support education and preparation for:

• instructors;
• coaches;
• officials;
• organizers;
• race directors;
• other qualified professionals.

Education and workforce development are explicitly identified as Partner Network roles and support areas.

NW Groups & Local Development

Help communities and organizations access the infrastructure needed to establish Nordic Walking locally.

Support may include:

• professional preparation;
• group development;
• materials;
• local activation;
• equipment access;
• regional expansion.

Sport & Competition

Support the development of a structured competitive pathway, including:

• competitions;
• event development;
• timing and results;
• officials;
• athlete development;
• Series activity;
• future in-person competition infrastructure.

Equipment & Product Access

Equipment and outdoor partners may support:

• Nordic Walking poles;
• apparel;
• footwear;
• wearables;
• timing systems;
• technology;
• event equipment;
• participant access programs.

Equipment and product support is one of the defined operational partnership roles.

Regional Development

A funder or sponsor may support development within:

• a state;
• a multi-state region;
• a particular population;
• an institutional network;
• a group of communities;
• a strategic expansion area.

This can combine education, local groups, marketing, equipment, events, and partner development.

Research, Evidence & Evaluation

Academic, philanthropic, healthcare, corporate, and research partners may help NWANA develop:

• participation data;
• implementation research;
• outcome measurement;
• program evaluation;
• sport-development research;
• evidence translation.

Research and evaluation is separately identified in the Partner Network model.

Public Awareness & Communications

Sponsors and media partners can help increase awareness of:

• Nordic Walking;
• instructor opportunities;
• local participation;
• competition;
• active aging;
• community programming;
• NWANA's North American development.

Sponsorship and Partnership Are Different

An organization may be:

• a Partner;
• a Sponsor;
• a Funder;
• both a Partner and Sponsor;
• or neither until a formal relationship is agreed.

A sponsorship generally includes funding, products, services, or other support together with agreed recognition or activation.

A partnership may involve distribution, program delivery, research, facilities, education, technical work, institutional access, or another form of collaboration.

The Partner Network framework intentionally keeps sponsorship and partnership distinct, while allowing one organization to participate in both under defined terms.

Sponsorship Can Support Different Levels

The NWANA System

Support organizational and continental capacity.

A Program Area

Support Academy, NW Groups, competition, technology, research, or another defined vertical.

A Regional Initiative

Support development within a specified geography or population.

A Series or Competition

Support an existing competitive program.

A Major Event or Championship

Support a separately defined event project and budget.

The Partner Network architecture specifically treats championship development as a separately approved project and budget rather than automatically mixing it with other funding.

Corporate, Philanthropic and In-Kind Support

NWANA can explore relationships involving:

• direct funding;
• grants;
• sponsorship;
• equipment;
• professional services;
• travel or hospitality;
• facilities;
• technology;
• media;
• research;
• in-kind contributions.

The appropriate structure depends on the organization, purpose, geography, program area, and intended outcomes.

Want to Discuss Sponsorship or Funding?

Tell us what your organization is interested in supporting and what kind of relationship you would like to explore.

Sponsorship, funding, recognition, use of marks, deliverables, reporting, and other terms are confirmed through the applicable NWANA agreement.