Sponsorship Guidelines

The Port of Houston Authority recognizes the importance of supporting local community programs, initiatives, and activities that improve the quality of life in the communities that surround the Houston Ship Channel.

Port Commissioners, Port Authority staff members, and representatives of external organizations may request Port Authority sponsorship of events or programs through financial support or in-kind services that fall within our sponsorship priorities.

Sponsorship Priorities

Maritime Commerce: The Port Authority is committed to sponsoring programs and services that educate and promote maritime commerce and transportation, market interaction, origination, maritime industry-related career readiness, and maritime services. Maritime-related programs that help generate direct or indirect revenues for the port will be given priority consideration.

Economic and Workforce Development: The Port Authority is committed to supporting maritime-related trade associations, small business development initiatives, economic growth, chamber memberships and activities, and education. Maritime-related programs that help generate direct or indirect revenues for the port will be given priority consideration.

Environmental Awareness: The Port Authority is committed to sponsoring programs that promote environmental protection and/or stewardship through educational projects and initiatives aimed at waste reduction, pollution prevention, marsh creation, and stormwater management. The range of programs may include environmental fairs, park and open space development, community cleanups, conferences and other projects dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting environmental stewardship.

Community Outreach: The Port Authority is committed to supporting community-based activities or programs that promote the general welfare of a community and promote port-related alliances, governmental cooperatives, strategic opportunities for Port Authority employee volunteerism, and educational initiatives and community outreach efforts deemed to be in the best interest of the port. The highest priority consideration will be given to those communities adjacent to port properties or impacted by port operations.

• The Port of Houston Authority cannot provide sponsorships to:
• Individuals
• Political campaigns or parties
• Groups that discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, sexual orientation or national origin
• Entities which pass-through monies to individuals or other groups (a.k.a. “third-party giving”)

All requests for Port Authority sponsorships must be submitted in writingm at least six weeks prior to date of event, using the Port of Houston Authority Sponsorship Application.

We recognize the importance of all community activities and events, but we must evaluate all requests in the context of the Port Authority’s mission and financial constraints.   Only those requests that comply with the purpose of the Port Authority and are within budgetary constraints will be considered.

Sponsorship Process:

• All sponsorship requests must be received at least six (6) weeks prior to the event/activity in order to be considered.
• All sponsorship requests must be accompanied by the Sponsorship Application and additional materials as indicated at the bottom of the application.
• Requests will be evaluated to determine whether they fall within the sponsorship priorities of the Port Authority, and the budget guidelines adopted by the Port Commission.
• All requests will be presented to the Port Commission Community Relations Task Force for review – the Task Force meets once a month.
• Once the Task Force has reviewed the application, the Community Relations department will contact the requestor and provide a response in a timely manner.

Full version of our Promotional and Development policy will be available soon for further information.