Sponsor thank-you emails
Personal thank-you from the foundation chair to every sponsor. Include final funds-raised total, photo highlights, and a teaser of where dollars are going. See the thank-you template on Outreach Scripts.
Closeout
Recognition & stewardship.
Thank-yous, social posts, press, and donor stewardship for the 30 days after tournament day. The committee's last big push — and where future-year relationships are built.
Within 7 days · The thank-you push
Social recap thread
5–7 posts on Facebook & Instagram. Winners, biggest moments, sponsor logos. Tag every sponsor by handle when posting. Use the hashtag #BlazingPaddles2026.
Press recap
Send a 250-word recap with 3 photos to Round Rock Leader, Community Impact, KXAN/KVUE community desks, and Hometown News. Include total raised and presenting sponsor name.
Winner spotlight posts
Individual social posts for each bracket winner with their photo and category. Tag winners directly when permitted.
Within 30 days · Stewardship
Impact report to sponsors
One-pager: total raised, programs funded, photo collage, year-over-year growth, and a save-the-date for Blazing Paddles 2027. Send to every Chief and Lieutenant sponsor.
IRS-compliant donor receipts
Tax receipts to every cash sponsor and in-kind donor. Include fair-market value as stated by donor. Coordinate language with the treasurer before sending.
Hand-written notes from the fire chief
Top-tier sponsors (Chief and Lieutenant) get a personal note from the fire chief. High-leverage gesture — takes the relationship from transactional to personal.
2027 first-look offer
Offer presenting-sponsor right-of-first-refusal to the current Chief sponsor for 2027. Lieutenants get early tier renewal at locked-in 2026 rates if they commit by Dec 31.
Ongoing · Year-round visibility
Permanent web recognition
Sponsor logos remain on the public site sponsor page through the 2027 cycle. "2026 Blazing Paddles Sponsors" archived with photos and outcomes.
Quarterly foundation updates
Sponsors added to the foundation's quarterly newsletter list — programs funded, firefighter stories, upcoming events. Keeps the relationship warm.
Foundation Night invitation
Top-tier sponsors invited to Foundation Night as guests of the foundation. Strongest possible re-engagement before the 2027 sponsor cycle opens.
Per-sponsor recognition checklist
For every sponsor, before they leave the event.
Run through this checklist for each Chief and Lieutenant sponsor. Firefighter tier needs items 1, 4, and 6. Track completion in the Donation Tracker.
- 1. Logo confirmed and placed correctly on signage, shirts, banners, and event program.Signage lead
- 2. Emcee mention scripted for opening, mid-event, and awards — by name and tier.Emcee
- 3. On-stage moment at awards ceremony for Chief sponsor.Chair
- 4. Photo with sponsor representative at their booth or signage.Photo lead
- 5. Social mention scheduled for the day (Chief gets multiple, Lieutenant gets one).Social lead
- 6. Thank-you email queued for delivery within 72 hours of event close.Chair
- 7. Tax receipt scheduled for delivery within 7 days, treasurer-reviewed.Treasurer
- 8. Hand-written note from fire chief queued for top-tier sponsors.Fire chief
Cross-reference: thank-you email template on Outreach Scripts. Tracking and follow-up status in Donation Tracker.