diff --git a/.github/workflows/stale.yml b/.github/workflows/stale.yml
index 3521f916..a567b9e1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/stale.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/stale.yml
@@ -18,5 +18,5 @@ jobs:
       - name: Stale PR+Issues
         uses: actions/stale@v9.0.0
         with:
-          exempt-issue-labels: help wanted
+          exempt-issue-labels: 'has sponsor,needs sponsor,help wanted,backlog' 
           exempt-pr-labels: