INTRODUCING SANTA

A TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SALVATION ARMY

The Project:
A heartfelt feature documentary and powerful mini-doc social series following Tim Burger — a Marine veteran, father, national parks employee, and full-time Santa Claus — who shows that kindness is the greatest gift.

Together with The Salvation Army, we’ll capture real families in need being surprised not only with children’s dream gifts, but with life-changing help for their parents, from paying off overdue bills to providing essentials for a new start.

The Opportunity:
This is a unique chance to place The Salvation Army at the heart of a global kindness campaign — sharing authentic, emotional stories that deepen donor loyalty, attract new supporters, and showcase your mission in action during the most generous season of the year.
These stories will live across your channels, sparking donations and reinforcing The Salvation Army’s reputation as the trusted champion of hope and giving.

The Ask:
We’re inviting The Salvation Army to join as a lead partner, with an investment that directly fuels production, outreach, and life-changing support for the families we’ll feature — ensuring this becomes a new holiday tradition tied to your mission for decades to come.

SAnta

feature documentary

Tim Burger is a former Marine, devoted husband, federal contracting manager—and Santa Claus. But for Tim, being Santa isn’t about red suits and sleigh bells. It’s about leading with kindness every day of the year, showing that the true spirit of Christmas lives in how we treat each other.

Social Media
& Impact Campaign

“Santa Knows” Mini-Doc Series

  • In partnership with The Salvation Army, we’ll produce a 5-part mini-doc social campaign.

  • Each story starts with Tim surprising a child with the gift they’ve been wishing for.

  • Then, the deeper moment: Tim surprises the parents with something they desperately need — paying off bills, replacing a car, or providing essentials that change their lives.

Each family receives $10,000 in meaningful support, making this more than just content — it’s a real impact story.

Key Campaign Elements

Original Content Series

5 cinematic mini-doc episodes (3–5 min each) plus 3 short-form social videos per episode (15 total), capturing heartfelt moments where Tim surprises children with their dream gifts — and then transforms entire families’ lives by helping their parents in ways they need most.

Film Festival Premiere & Holiday Launch

Santa will premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in 2026, a perfect local tie to Tim’s Colorado roots. This intimate, high-profile debut will anchor the film’s rollout into the holiday season, positioning it as a new classic that families revisit year after year.

Always-On Social Media Campaign

Short reels, TikToks, and co-branded posts across Salvation Army, Production House, and community partner channels.
A dedicated campaign hashtag — #SantaKnows — will drive user stories, encourage sharing, and reinforce The Salvation Army’s role at the center of this powerful message of giving.

Self-Distribution Strategy

Target: Families, holiday enthusiasts, and charitable supporters across the U.S. — reaching millions during the peak giving season.

Mission-driven amplification: Partnering with Salvation Army locations, volunteers, and national channels to share authentic stories and drive powerful community engagement.

Big launch: Telluride Film Festival premiere, tying directly to Tim’s Colorado roots, with Salvation Army leaders, featured families, and press invited to amplify the story.

$40K paid campaign across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook to boost reach, drive donations, and funnel audiences directly to rent the film.

Goal: 200K–300K rentals at $9.99, generating strong long-term returns while reinforcing The Salvation Army’s role as the trusted leader in compassion and holiday giving.

Full Budget Breakdown & Shared Risk

Projected Returns

Low Goal (200K Rentals):

~$2M Gross

~$1.4M After Platform Fees

~$900K After Budget Recoup

High Goal (300K Rentals):

~$3M Gross

~$2.1M After Platform Fees

~$1.6M After Budget Recoup

Plus:

25% of streaming revenues

~$36K Tax Credit Signed Over to WayFarer Studios

What This Partnership Looks Like

Salvation Army Investment

  • 2025: $25,000

  • 2026: $175,000

Salvation Army Gets:

  • 40% of profits from self-distribution

  • 25% of profits from a streaming deal

  • Premiere sponsorship, brand-featured content, and exclusive community alignment

Tax Credit Leverage:

  • ~$120,000 in eligible spend helps secure Wayfarer’s funds, reducing Tricoci’s risk.

Why It Works for The Salvation Army

✔ Positions The Salvation Army at the center of a national kindness movement, showcasing your mission in action.

✔ Deepens donor trust and attracts new supporters by telling authentic, emotional stories of families you’ve helped.

✔ Drives giving campaigns and year-end donations with high-impact content tied directly to the holiday season.

✔ Expands your digital reach through co-branded social media, building momentum for future campaigns.

✔ Partners with Production House and Wayfarer to fund the project while securing a significant long-term share of profits, ensuring this investment continues to support your mission for decades to come.