diff --git a/sponsors/contracts.py b/sponsors/contracts.py
index 1ed86cd5b..005443cbf 100644
--- a/sponsors/contracts.py
+++ b/sponsors/contracts.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 dirname = os.path.dirname(__file__)
 DOCXPAGEBREAK_FILTER = os.path.join(dirname, "pandoc_filters/pagebreak.py")
+REFERENCE_DOCX = os.path.join(dirname, "reference.docx")
 
 
 def _clean_split(text, separator="\n"):
@@ -79,5 +80,6 @@ def render_contract_to_docx_file(contract, **context):
             outputfile=docx_file.name,
             format="md",
             filters=[DOCXPAGEBREAK_FILTER],
+            extra_args=[f"--reference-doc", REFERENCE_DOCX],
         )
         return docx_file.read()
diff --git a/sponsors/reference.docx b/sponsors/reference.docx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a8f99cc4f
Binary files /dev/null and b/sponsors/reference.docx differ
diff --git a/templates/sponsors/admin/contracts/reference.docx b/templates/sponsors/admin/contracts/reference.docx
deleted file mode 100644
index ea5c5841f..000000000
Binary files a/templates/sponsors/admin/contracts/reference.docx and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/templates/sponsors/admin/contracts/sponsorship-agreement.md b/templates/sponsors/admin/contracts/sponsorship-agreement.md
index 1b8a7e54b..2cdf78e27 100644
--- a/templates/sponsors/admin/contracts/sponsorship-agreement.md
+++ b/templates/sponsors/admin/contracts/sponsorship-agreement.md
@@ -1,4 +1,10 @@
-# SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
+---
+title: SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
+geometry:
+- margin=1in
+font-size: 12pt
+pagestyle: empty
+---
 
 **THIS SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT** (the **"Agreement"**)
 is entered into and made effective as of the
@@ -120,9 +126,7 @@ and to support and facilitate the growth of a diverse and international communit
    
   
 
-::: {.center}
-**[Signature Page Follows]**
-:::
+### \[Signature Page Follows\]
 
 ::: {.page-break}
 \newpage