Learn How You Can Support Washington History Day
"I learned what history’s all about:
telling stories, and
figuring out how they all connect to each other and to us in the present."
- Rebecca Smith, Bothell High School student, and 2007 first place winner in the Senior
Individual Paper category in History Day regional, state, and national competitions. Yale, class of 2013.
Washington History Day 2010 Sponsor Benefits
Platinum Donor - $10,000 +
- Prominent recognition and logo placement at the state contest.
- On-site recognition opportunity at the state contest, including award presentations.
- Volunteer opportunity for employees at the state contest.
- Recognition and logo placement in the state contest program.
- Recognition and logo placement in the national contest program and national annual report.
- Recognition in the Washington State Historical Society’s annual report and on its website, washingtonhistory.org.
- Annual Patron-level membership in the Washington State Historical Society, including one 4-hour complimentary use of the board room (catering not included).
- Twenty guest admission passes to the Washington State History Museum.
Gold Donor - $5,000 - $9,999
- Prominent recognition and logo placement at the state contest.
- On-site recognition opportunity at the state contest.
- Volunteer opportunity for employees at the state contest.
- Recognition and logo placement in the state contest program.
- Recognition and logo placement in the national contest program and national annual report.
- Recognition in the Washington State Historical Society’s annual report and on its website, washingtonhistory.org.
- Annual Business-level membership in the Washington State Historical Society, including one 4-hour complimentary use of the board room (catering not included).
- Ten guest admission passes to the Washington State History Museum.
Silver Donor – $2,500 - $4,999
- Prominent recognition and logo placement at the state contest.
- Volunteer opportunity for employees at the state contest.
- Recognition and logo placement in the state contest program.
- Recognition in the Washington State Historical Society’s annual report and on its website,
washingtonhistory.org.
- Recognition in the national contest program and annual report.
- Five guest admission passes to the Washington State History Museum
Bronze Donor - $1 - $2,499
- Prominent recognition at the state contest.
- Volunteer opportunity for employees at the state contest.
- Recognition in the state contest program as a sponsor.
- Recognition in the Washington State Historical Society’s annual report and on its website,
washingtonhistory.org.
- Recognition in the national contest program and annual report.
Special Sponsorship Opportunities
Washington History Day includes a variety of opportunities to make a gift directly benefiting teachers and students. Please consider the following sponsorships, which include all the benefits described above.
National Scholar Grants
Each year, 50 Washington students advance to the National History Day competition in College Park, MD. The cost for a six-day stay, including airfare, lodging, transportation and meals, is approximately $1,200, and they typically have only about three weeks to raise the money after the state contest. Your $5,000 gift will reduce each student’s cost by $100, easing their burden and allowing them to focus on improving their projects in preparation for the contest.
State Scholar grants
For many students, the $50 state contest entry fee, on top of the cost of transportation and an overnight stay, presents an obstacle to participation. Your $5,000 gift can reduce the entry fee for all 500 students, or you may choose to target your gift to assist disadvantaged students by offsetting the entire entry fee.
Teacher of Merit Award sponsor
Each year, an outstanding History Day teacher is selected to represent the state at the national contest, where he or she competes for the national PBS Teacher of Merit Award. Our state Teacher of Merit has either won the national award or been selected as a finalist every year since 2004. The state prize includes a plaque, the trip to the national competition, and a cash award. Your $2,500 gift will underwrite the award, your organization’s logo will be added to the plaque, and you will be invited to help present the award at the state contest.
Administrator of the Year Award sponsor
Each year, Washington History Day recognizes a school administrator who has been an exceptional supporter of History Day in the classroom. The winner receives a plaque and recognition at the state contest. For $2,500, your gift will send the winner to the national contest, where he or she will observe thousands of students inspired by history. We’ll include your organization’s logo on the winner’s plaque, and you will be invited to help present the award at the state contest.
Teacher Mentor Scholarships
Each year, more teachers participate in History Day, the nation’s premier history education program. Many enjoy the contest aspect of the program, knowing that it inspires students to high achievement. Seeing the caliber of projects at the national contest and interacting with more experienced History Day teachers helps new teachers learn what it takes to help students succeed in the program. Your $2,000 gift will send one new teacher to the national contest, where he or she can immerse in an exceptional education experience for the benefit of students. The state office will work with you to define the selection process.
History Hero sponsor
Your $1,000 gift will underwrite the cost of producing t-shirts for our national team to wear at the History Day competition. Your organization’s logo will be featured on the shirts, which are a treasured souvenir for our students and help build team spirit and camaraderie. Or, if you prefer, your gift will underwrite the cost of producing special History Day mugs, which change each year with the contest theme and will feature your organization’s logo. The mugs help promote the program, serve as thank-you gifts for program volunteers, and are highly sought-after mementoes.
Special Award sponsor
Each year, Washington History Day recognizes outstanding student achievement in certain subject areas. Sponsors select the area of history they wish to honor and work with the state office to design a prize. Special award sponsors are recognized at the state contest award ceremony, and often have the pleasure of meeting the student winners as part of the prize.
For further History Day information, please contact the
state office at historyday@wshs.wa.gov.