[dhitchco]

Not all sponsors/donors will blatently ASK YOU to be recognized in some form. But they will WANT to be recognized. Recognizing donations and sponsorships is a LONG-TERM exercise in relationship-building.

Just think about how valuable it can be to your team to have a sponsor chatting about the fact that "my company is a sponsor of a robot competition at XYZ high school" to his/her friends or co-workers.

That word-of-mouth advertising for your robotics program is IMPOSSIBLE to buy. The advertising companies on Madison Ave in New York would KILL for that kind of "buzz" and excitement.

The sponsorship begins when you meet the sponsor and collect his/her money to fund your efforts. But that only where it begins:
1) Immediately write to the sponsor saying "thanks"
2) Keep them informed of your successes and shortfalls (maybe they'll pitch in even more!)
3) Even after regionals and nationals, keep your sponsors in the loop via e-mail, your web site, etc. This is a long-term annual process that you'll want to nurse each year.
4) Some sponsors will want a "splash" via name on robot, t-shirts, etc. Others will want a smaller presence. But they ALL want to be recognized and thanked. They are an INTEGRAL part of your team.