> uhm. what do you need sponsors for? Like what do we do for them, and what do they do for us? I know this is a dumb question but I’m trying to figure out what to ask

I didn’t read your original post but from the responses it sounds like you are organizing a.. Computer Science Fair?
in an event like that, a sponsor would provide various kinds of material support, and usually get recognized for being a sponsor
being a sponsor of an event can be different things

  • outright giving you money to pay for the costs of the event, or for the event’s beneficiacy (if you are trying to raise money for an issue, etc)
  • having their rep with a booth passing out their own promo at your event site/answering questions
  • bringing free stuff to the event for the event organizer or participants – for example cans of soda from their store, free tshirts (or maybe you’ll sell the tshirts to participants), etc

more organized events establish “Tiers” of Sponsorship Level, eg you give us $10,000 and then your company logo will be prominently displayed on the event entrance, but if you give us $2,000 then your logo will only be printed on our event pamphlet, etc
but if it’s a small event organized by one person i guess you can negotiate the sponsorship terms – what they will give you, and what how you will show your gratitude or promote them – individually
sometimes sponsors are lowkey and humble and don’t want to get public recognition.. and that s fine to