Sponsor the Tournament
Partner with the 1st Annual Sweeney Memorial Bracket Open to reach an engaged Crystal Lake and McHenry County audience and support the Sweeney Foundation's mission. Saturday, July 25, 2026 at The Racket Club of Crystal Lake.
Sponsor or Donate Online
Make your sponsorship payment or a direct donation online. Choose whichever method is easiest. Both pass 100% of your contribution to the Sweeney Foundation.
Pay by Card
Give securely through our Zeffy campaign. Zeffy passes 100% of your contribution to the Sweeney Foundation, with no platform fees.
Pay by Zelle
Send through your banking app to the Zelle ID sweeneyfoundation, or scan the code.
Please include your business name (when prompted or in the Zelle payment note), and email sponsor@sweeneyopen.com so we can match your payment to your sponsorship.
Why Partner with SMBO
The SMBO is built for local visibility. The audience is exactly the kind of audience that matters to a Crystal Lake or McHenry County business: families, club tennis players, parents of junior players, and friends of the Sweeney family. The day runs from morning through the afternoon at The Racket Club, with a free kids' drop-in clinic mid-day and an after-party at The Quarry.
Sponsorship proceeds support the Sweeney Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which helps local families through sudden hardship, grows youth tennis, and funds scholarships.
Where your name shows up
- On-site signage and banners across the indoor and outdoor courts at The Racket Club
- Tournament t-shirts worn by every player and volunteer (and worn long after the event)
- sweeneyopen.com, a destination already in front of registrants, donors, and community members
- SMBO social media channels in the run-up to and during the event
- PA and opening-ceremony announcements
- The post-event gathering at The Quarry, a separate audience touchpoint at a high-traffic local venue
Who's in the room
- Players and their partners across all skill levels
- Families with kids attending the free drop-in clinic
- Spectators, friends, and family of the Sweeney family
- The Crystal Lake / Prairie Ridge / Crystal Lake Central tennis network: Sam coached at multiple programs and taught across local clubs and the Park District
Sponsorship Levels
Choose the level that fits your business. Every level passes 100% of your contribution to the Sweeney Foundation.
Presenting Supporter
$2,000+
- T-shirt, website, tournament signage
T-Shirt Supporter
$1,000+
- T-shirt and tournament signage
Tournament Supporter
$250+
- Tournament sponsor signage
In-Kind / Player Bag / Raffle Supporter
- Recognition based on contribution
Our Founding Sponsors
The 1st Annual Sweeney Memorial Bracket Open is made possible by these local partners. Thank you.
About the Sweeney Foundation
The Sweeney Foundation is an Illinois 501(c)(3) nonprofit established to honor Sam's legacy through three pillars:
- Supporting local families in the Crystal Lake and surrounding areas through sudden hardship
- Growing youth tennis in the community
- Funding scholarships and financial assistance
Net proceeds from the 2026 tournament (entry fees, sponsorships, and donations after expenses) go directly to the Foundation's mission.
Tax Treatment
We're committed to being straightforward about this. If anything is unclear, please ask before committing.
- Charitable deduction: The Sweeney Foundation has received its 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS. Donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible as charitable contributions to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor.
- Business expense: Sponsorship payments by a business are typically deductible as an ordinary advertising or marketing expense. Please confirm treatment with your CPA or tax advisor.
Deadlines & How to Commit
- Print materials cutoff: Logos for t-shirts and banners are needed by July 1, 2026. Earlier commitments get more visibility in pre-event promotion.
- Final commitment deadline: July 1, 2026, for inclusion in event-day signage and PA announcements.
- Payment: Card, check, Zelle, or ACH. Donate online or by Zelle below, or we'll provide specifics once you confirm. Net proceeds support the Sweeney Foundation as outlined above.
- To confirm a sponsorship: Email sponsor@sweeneyopen.com with your business name, the contact for logo and copy approvals, and any activation preferences.
Looking for Something Custom?
If none of these levels fits (whether you'd like to underwrite a specific element of the day, contribute in-kind, or build a multi-year partnership tied to the Foundation), reach out and we'll work it out together. The 1st annual is a chance to set the tone for what this becomes.
sponsor@sweeneyopen.com