[Bill Moore]

As well as seeking new sponsors, don't forget your current sponsors as well.

When a sponsor steps up and makes a donation (money, resources or services), an immediate letter of thanks should be sent from the team. Often we will find these posted on bulletin boards at their place of business once they receive them.

At or near the end of your season, a more personal letter of thanks should come from an individual student or two on the team. In this letter cover your team accomplishments through the past year; remember your accomplishments are much more than any awards or your robot's Won/Lost record. Also include how this FIRST Robotics program has personally helped you develop as a student, and give concrete examples explaining this development. Examples would be leadership of a sub-team, mentoring a FLL team, developing speaking skills during team presentations, developing engineering skills, etc. Let them know that their support is directly responsible for the growth you have made, and that you appreciate and look forward to their continued support of this fine program in the future.

Definitely seek out new sponsors each year, but remember to credit your current sponsors to help keep them on board. As your sponsorship numbers increase, your team will be able to stretch and do more to bring the influence of FIRST into your whole community.

Good Luck with your endeavors.