The NORAD Tracks Santa (NTS) program has been around for a long time, since 1955 to be exact! And while NORAD has the "history" and excellent technology to track Santa, NORAD cannot expend government funds on the program. Besides the short time a NTS Project Officer spends "managing" the program, NORAD spends only the minimal amount of funds on NTS.
So, how do we do it? The NTS program is funded through generous contributions from our sponsors. Everything from computer servers, web site design, video imaging, Santa's tracking map, and the toll free telephone number, to the souvenir Santa Tracker buttons volunteers are presented on Christmas Eve, companies, corporations and individual sponsors, or what we like to call Partners, bring this program to children around the world.
Without this wonderful generosity the NORAD Tracks Santa Program would not be possible, and NORAD sincerely thanks each and every one of them for their terrific support.