Businesses and community partners require the most stewardship, and stewarding them is vital if you want their support in the future. Simple ways to steward a business that sponsors you is writing thank you letters, and inviting and recognizing them at your events. Take pictures of their donation in use at the events and potentially pictures of your attendees eating or using that donation. Make sure to shout them out and do some advertising at your school. It is a good idea to discuss when starting a partnership how they could use your help and then follow through on it! After your reveal, be sure to write a handwritten thank you note (handwritten is more personal than a typed note) and explain how specifically they helped you throughout the year, and be sure to send them the pictures you took of their donation at the event. Consider even making certificates (with your name and logo) they can put up, or if they are a large enough partner send them a plaque. Here’s an example message you can send your partners, and be sure to attach some photos of students with the product/food:

Hello NAME,

Thank you PARTNER/COMPANY NAME for everything you have done to support PROGRAM NAME this year. It is because of you we were able to raise $XXXXX and support the children at Nationwide Children's Hospital. This wouldn’t have been possible without your help and support. [Add a part about their donation and how it helped. Ex: “Your donation of pizzas helped us feed all 200 of our participants throughout our final event.”] We hope you join us in the fight against Pediatric Cancer again next year.

Sincerely, PROGRAM NAME