Sponsorship
Why Sponsor DESERT26?
AUTHENTIC AMERICAN STORY This is the story most Americans don't know: the multicultural origins of the American West. Spanish friars, Indigenous guides, mestizo explorers—not the East Coast narrative that dominates founding stories.
UNPRECEDENTED CONVERGENCE Three timelines intersect: 1776 (original expedition), 1976 (bicentennial reenactment led by my father), 2026 (our revival during America's 250th). This personal inheritance transforms commemoration into compelling narrative.
AMERICA 250 POSITIONING Strategic timing to position this Western story at the center of national 250th anniversary programming, challenging conventional founding narratives.
DOCUMENTARY CREDIBILITY This isn't a paid placement—it's authentic product demonstration and story partnership. Viewers engage with real adventure, not advertising.
MULTI-STATE IMPACT Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona—reaching communities across the Southwest with educational programming and community engagement; with your help, however, the story will finally reach the national and international audiences it deserves.
HERITAGE PRESERVATION Helping us share both the 1776 & 1976 expedition archives so they're not lost to history, creating lasting educational resources and expanding the legacy of Western culture/history.
COLORADO 150 POSITIONING Strategic timing to position the Colorado portion of this story at the center of statewide programming—for Colorado-based organizations.
Executive Producer
Investment Level: By arrangement (contact for details)
Available: Multiple
Impact: Become an Executive Producer of the DESERT26 documentary, joining a select group of visionary supporters who make this film possible. Your investment ensures this multicultural American story reaches millions of viewers through PBS broadcast, streaming platforms, and educational distribution.
Why Executive Producer Credit Matters:
Unlike traditional sponsorship, an Executive Producer role places you at the creative heart of the project. You're not buying advertising—you're investing in a cultural legacy that will be viewed, studied, and referenced for decades. Documentary Executive Producer credits have funded and shaped some of the most important historical films of our time.
This is your opportunity to ensure a multicultural Western story takes its rightful place in America's founding narrative during the 250th anniversary—and to have your name permanently associated with that achievement.
Contact us to discuss Executive Producer partnership opportunities.
This Premium Partnership Includes:
Executive Producer credit in documentary film (opening and closing credits)
"Presented by" or co-presenting recognition (depending on contribution level)
Behind-the-scenes access throughout filming and post-production
Private screenings for you and your guests during post-production
Red carpet invitation to documentary premiere and festival screenings
Exclusive consultation on documentary development and distribution strategy
VIP access to all expedition milestones and filming locations
Personal expedition updates directly from the director/producer
Premier logo placement across all marketing materials, website, social media
Speaking opportunity at premiere or major screening event
Tables at major events (premiere, arrival celebration)
Lifetime recognition in one of the defining documentary projects of America's 250th anniversary
Expedition Sponsor Levels
This funding will support essential expedition logistics to ensure safe completion of the 122-day journey.
Trailblazer Sponsor
$50,000 - 2 available
Impact: Critical expedition infrastructure ensuring safe completion of the 1,900-mile journey
What this funds: Provides support vehicle operations, emergency reserves, communications equipment, safety systems, and trail access coordination across four states for the entire 122-day expedition.
Benefits:
"Presented by" naming rights for the expedition
Exclusive sponsors of expedition documentary
Speaking opportunity at departure ceremony (Santa Fe July 29, 2026)
Logo prominence on support vehicles throughout 122-day journey
Featured in documentary (est. 2-5M viewers)
Premier logo placement: expedition website (home page), all promotional materials, documentary credits, educational materials, press releases
Dedicated social media campaign recognizing sponsorship
Marketing Value
Documentary Feature Film
Projected reach: 2-5 million viewers • broadcast distribution potential • Streaming platform partnerships • 5-10 year shelf life (vs. ads that stop when spending stops) • 3x credibility premium over paid advertising
Social Media Campaign
18-month content timeline (pre-expedition, during, post) • Daily updates during 122-day journey • Behind-the-scenes content • Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube • Authentic storytelling vs. commercial messaging
Educational Programming
Curriculum distribution to schools in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona • Teacher resource materials • Student engagement programs • Long-term brand association with education
America 250 Commemoration
Association with national 250th & Colorado 150th anniversary programming • Positioning multicultural Western story in founding narrative • Historical significance and legacy connection
Media Coverage
Regional and national press attention • Documentary film festival circuit • Historical/cultural media outlets • Outdoor/adventure publications
Heritage Sponsor
$35,000 - 3 available
Impact: Supports complete horse care program for the expedition
What this funds: Covers daily feed and supplements, farrier services every two weeks, veterinary care and emergency medical fund, and specialized equipment for expedition horses throughout the 1,900-mile journey.
Benefits:
Named sponsor of horse welfare program
Prominent documentary exposure highlighting sponsor's support
Logo on support vehicles
Speaking opportunity at one major event
Major logo placement: website, promotional materials, documentary credits, educational materials
Social media recognition campaign
VIP access to milestone events along the route
Legacy Sponsor
$15,000 - 4 available
Impact: Funds professional PR services ensuring this story reaches national/international audiences during America's 250th anniversary
What This Funds: Enables 4-6 month professional PR firm engagement including national media outreach, press release distribution, journalist relationship building, story placement in major outlets, and social media amplification strategy.
Benefits:
Named sponsor of media campaign
Recognition in all press materials
Logo on media kit and press releases
Documentary segment featuring sponsor
Major logo placement: website, promotional materials
Social media spotlight series
VIP access to press events
Anniversary Sponsor
$25,000 - 3 available
Impact: Enables community engagement programming across four states: NM, CO, UT, AZ
What this funds: Supports community events along the historic route, tribal nation partnerships, local historical society collaborations, public presentations, and intergenerational dialogue connecting contemporary audiences with the 1776 expedition story.
Benefits:
Official sponsor of community engagement events
Documentary segment featuring sponsor
Logo on support vehicles
Major logo placement: website, promotional materials, documentary, educational materials
Recognition at all community events
Social media spotlight series
Community Sponsor
$10,000 - 5 available
Impact: Brings expedition story to schools and community organizations
What This Funds: Creates and distributes curriculum materials, lesson plans, teacher resources, educational videos, and documentary excerpts to schools across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona and beyond.
Benefits:
Name/logo on website
Recognition in documentary credits
Social media thank you
Invitation to departure celebration
Critical differences from traditional advertising.
Earned media carries 3x credibility premium • Documentary viewers self-select and engage deeply • 5-10 year content shelf life • Historical/educational mission alignment • Authentic product demonstration vs. commercial messaging
Friends of the Expedition
Building This Journey Together, One Supporter at a Time
While major corporate sponsors provide essential infrastructure, DESERT26's success depends equally on grassroots support from the people who truly care about this story—history enthusiasts, equestrian communities, families honoring their own heritage(s), local businesses with roots in the Southwest, and individuals who believe multicultural narratives deserve their place in America's founding story.
We've intentionally created accessible giving levels because this expedition belongs to everyone: it is an American Story! Whether you're a horseback rider inspired by the adventure, a history teacher wanting your students to access this curriculum, a sixth-generation Coloradan like myself honoring family legacy, or simply someone who believes the 1776 Domínguez-Escalante expedition deserves recognition during America's 250th anniversary—your support makes this possible.
Every contribution—whether $250 or $5,000—moves us closer to the starting line on July 29, 2026. Together, we're crowdfunding a piece of American history that's been overlooked for too long.
Canyon Companion
$1,000 - unlimited
Sustained daily support: Deep connection to the journey; carved by persistence
Benefits:
Name listed on the website
Recognition in documentary credits
Updates from the trail
Summit Scout
$5,000 - unlimited
Highest level of individual/small org support: First to explore and prepare the way; leadership role in expedition success
Benefits:
Logo on website and promotional materials
Recognition in documentary credits
Invitation to departure and arrival events
Social media acknowledgment
Updates from the trail
Arroyo Ally
$500 - unlimited
Meaningful contributor to the mission: Nurturing support, Life-giving contribution
Benefits:
Name listed on the website
Updates from the trail
Mesa Guide
$2,500 - unlimited
Elevated plateau of commitment: Essential navigation and direction; expertise that ensures safe passage.
Benefits:
Name listed on the website
Recognition in documentary credits
Social media acknowledgment
Updates from the trail
Trail Buddy
$250 - unlimited
Every contribution moves us forward: Foundational grassroots support, Walking alongside the expedition
Benefits:
Name listed on the website
Updates from the trail
In-Kind Partnerships
Support Vehicles
Provide support vehicles for expedition logistics:
Two vehicles needed: heavy-duty truck with towing capacity + nimble support vehicle
Equipment
Provide expedition gear for safe travel:
The expedition will need saddles, tack, camping equipment, communications, etc.
Media & Film
Help us make the best documentary possible!
Provide video and sound equipment, drone services, editing, or production support.
Expedition Horses
Provide expedition horses for the journey:
We anticipating needing up to 20-24 horses depending on composition of the riding team.
Horse Feed & Care
Animal safety and well being is a top priority!
We’ll need feed, supplements, farrier and veterinary services throughout the journey.
Provisions
Help keep the whole expedition healthy!
Provide essential food and provisions for the expedition’s participants.
When Your Products and Services Become Part of the Story
Not every partnership needs to be written in dollar signs. Some of our most valuable collaborators will be the companies whose vehicles carry our team across 1,900 miles of desert terrain, whose equipment keeps us safe and connected, whose horses carry the expedition forward, and whose expertise ensures we complete this journey successfully.
In-kind partnerships offer unique advantages: your products receive authentic demonstration in demanding real-world conditions, your brand becomes woven into the expedition narrative rather than simply sponsoring it, and your contribution often comes from marketing or product budgets rather than requiring cash outlay. Most importantly, documentary audiences see your gear doing exactly what it's designed to do—which carries far more credibility than any traditional advertisement.
We've structured these partnerships to provide the same visibility and recognition as cash sponsorships, with benefits tailored to showcase your specific contribution throughout the expedition's 18-month timeline.
If your company provides any of the following, let's talk about partnership opportunities.
In-Kind Partnership Benefits:
Recognition as official expedition execution partner
Brand placement in documentary (2-5M viewers)
Multi-platform media exposure (18-month timeline)
Social media collaboration, recognition
Authentic product demonstration in demanding expedition conditions
Logo placement on website & expedition marketing
America 250 national programming association
Production credits & content sharing rights (media partners)
Make History With Us!
The 1776 expedition changed how the world understood the American West.
The 1976 reenactment brought that story to life again in the Southwest.
The 2026 revival positions this foundational American story for national and international audiences.
Your sponsorship makes this possible. Join us in ensuring this story—and the people and places that shaped it—receive the recognition they deserve during this once-in-a-lifetime moment in American history: our 250th anniversary.
How to Support DESERT26
All contributions are processed through Denver Film, an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 84-0771070), ensuring professional financial management and full tax deductibility for your donation.
Option 1: Donate Online Visit the DESERT26 donation page and contribute securely by credit card: https://www.denverfilm.org/desert26/
IMPORTANT: When donating online, please select "DESERT26" from the dropdown menu under "Select the Project you would like to donate to:" to ensure your contribution is properly designated.
Option 2: For donations by check, ACH or Wire Transfer, stock transfers, cryptocurrency, and/or In-Kind contributions please contact Ryan Daley, DESERT26 Founder, directly using the form on this page. All submissions go straight to my inbox!
We'll provide complete donor instructions and can arrange a variance letter from Denver Film for your records.
All donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Denver Film will provide official tax receipts for all contributions.
Let's make history together—Again!