What are some Grants to apply for?

[vivek16]

hello,

2008 will be our second year and we are low on funds and it is uncertain if our sponsor last year will continue to fund us. I was wondering if some other teams could help us out here and tell us about some grants we could apply for. Also, information about donations from chain businesses would be appreciated. we are a minnesota team if that helps.

thanks, team 2264

[Taylor]

Check out state grants - from dept of ed, workforce development, SEAM grants, things like that. Do research through people in addition to internet. Get contacts, ask questions, things can be found through good networking.

[AdamHeard]

Many large technology/engineering companies give grants to educational progarms.

Also, NASA grant program for teams is rather popular (and a good chunk of change If I remember rightl; the cost of a regional).

[Akash Rastogi]

Check out eh John and Margaret Post Foundation. It may help.

[DonRotolo]

The DaimlerChrysler Corporate Fund (link) (http://www2.daimlerchrysler.com/dccfund/).

But note that this might change, considering they are "Chrysler Corporation" once again.

[Akash Rastogi]

If you have a Home Depot, Lowes or Wal-Mart in your area that would be a good place to look for help. As for grants, Lowes has some educational programs to help schools. Also, look up if banks in your area have any special grant applications. I'm pretty sure that Wachovia offers some sort of grant.

[vivek16]

thanks guys. also, if any minnesota teams could possibly give us some info about sponsors and contact info. that would be great

thanks a lot, vivek.

[MoeMom]

We've had good luck with civic groups- Rotary or Kiwannas for example. If a few students give a brief presentation and a robot demo at a meeting or luncheon, they often donate money. It has added benefits- students practice presention skills and the club members will sometimes offer to help in ways we never imagined... they have skills, materials, etc. in their businesses or other connections with media and events. You'll have to make a few calls to members to get on their agenda and plan out your phone calls before you make them.

Also, a school-based grant that I saw online might help, but we've never applied for it... American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=216

Good luck!

[neoshaakti]

hmm when applying for a grant what should your letter say? Does anyone have any examples?
thank you

[Akash Rastogi]

We've had good luck with civic groups- Rotary or Kiwannas for example.

Oh yes, good one there. I forgot that Kiwannas had actually donated to us machines that they had received. The people are friendly and usually very easy to contact.

[vivek16]

What would I want to say in a letter to a company asking them to sponsor us? Is the text from the FIRST website copyrighterd or could I use some of it to describe FIRST?

thanks, vivek

[Carol]

What would I want to say in a letter to a company asking them to sponsor us? Is the text from the FIRST website copyrighterd or could I use some of it to describe FIRST?

thanks, vivek

The FIRST website has a lot of material available for your use in approaching sponsors. It is put there for that purpose so feel free to use as you see fit.

Check out the FRC Resource page:

http://www.usfirst.org/community/resourcecenter.aspx?id=952&menu_id=148

[Akash Rastogi]

What would I want to say in a letter to a company asking them to sponsor us? Is the text from the FIRST website copyrighterd or could I use some of it to describe FIRST?

thanks, vivek

Anything can be used from FIRST. Also, include in your letter:team accomplishments, community impact, student input, teacher/faculty input, past sponsors and reasons why they left, alumni quotes, and basically anything that can prove to a company that your team is worth investing in. Because this is how you have to look at your team and the business: your team is an investment and sponsors need to know why you are worth being invested in. If you can, try to meet people in person. That one-on-one approach can make a huge difference on a person's opinion.

Good Luck:) ,
M.O.R.T Team 11

[RoboMom]

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=641337&postcount=27
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