diff --git a/.github/SPONSOR_WELCOME.md b/.github/SPONSOR_WELCOME.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a873a41
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+++ b/.github/SPONSOR_WELCOME.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# Sponsor welcome & recognition copy
+
+Reference copy for the GitHub Sponsors **welcome message** per tier (already set in the
+dashboard) plus the README recognition flow for the **Ecosystem partner ($500/mo)** tier.
+
+## Tier welcome messages (live in dashboard)
+
+- **$5/mo — Coffee for the lexer**
+  > Thank you for sponsoring Sploosh. You're helping an AI-native language move from spec to compiler — one canonical way to write code agents get right the first time.
+
+- **$25/mo — Compiler fuel**
+  > Thank you — $25/mo directly accelerates the Sploosh compiler bootstrap. I'll share a short monthly progress note covering merged work and milestone status.
+
+- **$100/mo — Milestone backer**
+  > Thank you for backing Sploosh at the milestone level. Your sponsorship underwrites real compiler and spec work toward prompt → deployed program. I'll keep you close to roadmap progress.
+
+- **$500/mo — Ecosystem partner**
+  > Thank you for partnering on Sploosh. Reply to this email with your preferred attribution (name/logo/link) and I'll coordinate the quarterly sync.
+
+- **$20 one-time — Spec print**
+  > Thank you for the one-time boost. Every bit helps keep Sploosh's spec and docs moving.
+
+- **$250 one-time — Backend seed**
+  > Thank you for seeding a Sploosh backend milestone. This directly extends dual-target and on-chain-safety work.
+
+## Ecosystem partner ($500/mo) recognition flow
+
+When a $500/mo sponsor replies with attribution:
+
+1. Replace the `_Be the first_` placeholder row in the `## Sponsors` table in `README.md` with the sponsor's row:
+   ```md
+   | [![Name](https://logo-url)](https://link) | [Name](https://link) |
+   ```
+2. Optionally add a logo image under `docs/assets/sponsors/` and reference it locally.
+3. Send the first quarterly roadmap sync invite.
+
+No logo provided? Use the name + link only. Never expose a sponsor's contact details.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6eab329..9aacf8b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -145,6 +145,18 @@ cargo test --workspace
 
 Sploosh is an independent open-source project exploring a question the whole industry is circling: **what does a programming language look like when AI agents are first-class authors?** Sponsorship funds compiler development toward the four-target build matrix and the first end-to-end "prompt → deployed program" milestone. If your work touches AI coding agents, developer tooling, or on-chain infrastructure, [sponsoring Sploosh](https://github.com/sponsors/StreamDemon) directly accelerates a public testbed for LLM-native language design.
 
+## Sponsors
+
+Sploosh is funded by people who believe an AI-native language is worth building in the open. There are no sponsors yet — [become the first](https://github.com/sponsors/StreamDemon).
+
+**Ecosystem partner** sponsors (**$500/mo**) are featured in this section with their name and logo, and receive a quarterly roadmap sync. To be listed, sponsor at that tier and reply to the welcome email with your preferred attribution (company name, logo, and link). All tiers and their welcome copy are described in [`.github/SPONSOR_WELCOME.md`](.github/SPONSOR_WELCOME.md).
+
+| Sponsor | Link |
+|---------|------|
+| _Be the first_ | [Sponsor Sploosh](https://github.com/sponsors/StreamDemon) |
+
+<!-- Sponsor logos are added here as they join. Format: [![Name](logo-url)](link) -->
+
 ## License
 
 [MIT](LICENSE)