Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

So here is our situation, we are a 2nd year team in SE Ohio. Last year we were one of the many new JCP sponsored teams. They paid for the registration and KOP ($6500), and we got about $2000 from sponsorship, and the school itself that we used to build the robot, get to competitions, etc.

This year JCP has lowered their funding to 2500 for this year, and we have been told not to expect anything from the school. Even after 3 months of looking for sponsors we are over a grand short of even being able to register and get a KOP. We have (I'm not trying to give you some some sort of sob story here, just background.) There aren't a lot of businesses here to start with and very rarely can we convince one to sponsor us, and those sponsorships on on the scale of ($25-50).

So I have a couple questions I was hoping you could answer:

1. Is there any obvious solutions for funding that we are missing that you see?

2. Should we register for an event, despite uncertainty on being able to eventually pay for it?

3. If we can't afford the season what do we have to do? Do we inform someone, is there forms, etc?

4. Can we not register for an event, or kickoff, and still build a robot and compete in pre/post season scrimmages.

5. Would we be able to restart our team next year if funding came through? Would we have the same team number?

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

First thing I would do is contact your senior mentor, He should be on the FIRST website

Next, I'd suggest going on to your states website and seeing if there are any local grants available to you (most states have a listing on their website).

Going forward, I'd suggest that fundraising become a 12 month a year activity, and that you attend as many local events as possible and have a 'donation jar' at each event.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

There are many of these questions I don't know the answer to, but I'd start by contacting your regional coordinator (you and I have the same one! Susan Lawrence [ sklsumgrad at comcast dot net ], she's an amazing, extremely helpful person!) This may have been what they (above) meant by head mentor as well? I'm told they have good advice and help for teams in dire straits.

I would look into whether any of the regionals you attend have a grant program attached. You could also look into NASA's "Sustaining Grants" .... I'll dig around some more and see what I find. Many of the sponsoring organizations that work closely with FIRST have something designed to 'rescue' teams in your situation, but I hope you can find some straight up sponsors as well.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

Registration for a non-rookie team for one regional and a KOP is $5000. Maybe you are a lot closer than you think.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

1. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any simple solutions in these kinds of situations.
2. That's a question you should ask your regional coordinator.
3. Can't aswer that one... Sorry.
4. I don't know events that won't approve of that. Most will allow you to compete, if not all, but asking the event organizers can't hurt.
5. Definitely yes. I'm not 100% sure about how returning teams' numbers are given, but as far as I know, if you restart your team three years or less after folding it, you'll get your old number back. If not, the number is retired, and if you return up to seven years after folding, you'll get the closest numberto the one you had before. If you come back any later than that, you can return as a rookie, I'm not sure whether at this point you may still get a number close to your original one. (Please someone correct me if I'm wrong)

I hope things work out for you, and that my answers helped :)

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

And by all means, register like you know you will acquire the funds needed in time for December 7 deadline. The worst that happens is you will eventually be dropped from the event. As previous posts said, contact your Regional Director immediately...they often have access to some funds from FIRST headquarters for teams in your situation (but you won't usually know the result of your request for help until later in December). Good luck, and don't throw in the towel yet;)

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

I was the FIRST Senior Mentor last year. They do not have a new Senior Mentor. I now concentrate my efforts to help FRC state-wide in Ohio.

20 $50 sponsors is $1000. This can add up. You can try some traditional fund-raisers as well, candy, flowers, etc. We have raised nearly $1000 over the last month after 6 individual demos where we sold candy and demo'ed our robots.


Read above, traditional school-type fundraisers, NASA grant, there is a seperate grant for going to Buckeye for teams. At Queen City we do not have any grants, yet, for teams attending.

YES! Go ahead and register for an envent. You do not need to confirm payment until early December and even at that FIRST will work with you on payment if you miss that deadline.

You do not need to inform anyone, although I would recommend following the game, working through design attending an event, volunteering, etc.

You cant, but you will not receive this years Kit-of-Parts, you would need to use last years parts.

Yes you would be able to restart the team and keep the same team number.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

[quote=gracie.;1190901]There are many of these questions I don't know the answer to, but I'd start by contacting your regional coordinator (you and I have the same one! Susan Lawrence [ sklsumgrad at comcast dot net ], she's an amazing, extremely helpful person!) This may have been what they (above) meant by head mentor as well?QUOTE] Susan is great and can offer a lot of help. Senior mentor is a seperate role with FIRST that not all states have and they are tasked with supporting all 4 levels of programs in the state. I was the Senior Mentor last year, my role ended in June and I shifted gears to organize FRC in Ohio. I'm surprised you didn't receive my emails last year or recently. You may want to check you spam folder.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

Oh, I was just going it off the FIRST website, sorry! I don't believe I get the regional or general FRC email blasts - our teacher does, so I check them online. Even after 2 years, I obviously still have lots to learn about first :) I'm still too unaware of the loads of work going on to make what we participate in happen... QCR was amazing last year by the way, thank you for all your work. Ohio is an awesome place for FRC.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

No problem. My email blasts go to the team main and alternate contacts.

Thank you! We are working to make it better for this year, hope to see your team down here again.

I'm working my hardest to keep OH growing in FRC and moving forward, but I can't do it without great teams like yours.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

Have you considered team fees? I know it's nice to not have members pay for anything, but fees can add up to a considerable amount of money with which you can build a robot and register for competitions.

Also - Have you contacted the colleges and universities in the area? They are often willing to pitch in.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

Where are you pulling these numbers from?

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

I have to agree. If team 23 can return as a veteran team after 10 years off, then I'd say those numbers pretty badly off.

If a team returns within three years, they get their old number back. If the team returns after that point, they can either compete under their old number or as a rookie team. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...-team-criteria, item #2.

Numbers are retired only in cases of teams splitting or joining, AFAIK. 64, 47, and 65 are all retired numbers due to splits and joins. For info on retired numbers, try http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...mbines2013.pdf

So, to recap with the correct info:
Up to 3 years off, return under original number.
3+ years off, return under original number or as a rookie.
Special case of splitting or joining, it's complicated but could end up with either original number, unused number, or rookie number depending on situation.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

I guess I'm wrong then... Thanks for correcting me :)

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

The problem comes down to funding your entry fee and travel. Like many other school events, on team 704 we require our students to provide part of the cost. Last year each of our students were responsible for coming up with $270. We give them opportunities to raise funds. They can bring in a sponsor, raise funds through fund raising, or have mom and dad write the check. This amount pays for most of our travel expenses. We sell E-watt light bulbs, Hex Bugs and wind up robots. We work the refreshment stand at school district sporting events and work other fund raising opportunities.

Students work with mentors on corporate sponsorships. If a student (or group of students ) bring in a new sponsor they get credit against what they need to earn. Returning sponsorships go to team. We have a number of sponsorship in various dollar amounts. Students need to check with their parents employers, many companies will provide sponsorship for non profit activities their employees and their families are involved in. Car dealerships and insurance companies are another good source of sponsorships. Talk to all the companies in your area. They can't say yes if they are not ask.

Finally we do apply for grants. Corporations like Time Warner Cable often offer grants to groups in areas they serve. There may be companies in your area that give FIRST specific grants, but you can also find educational and other grants that might be available.

We attend two Regionals and we work on fund raising year round.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

Contact your local service organizations. Lion's Club, Rotary, etc. Do community speaking gigs and ask for donations. We have gotten as much as $3000 from an organization and at least passing the hat.

Jack Gillespie
Team 3013

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

Matthew, if your team has students and mentors that are willing to roll up their sleeves here are a couple of suggestions: car washes and leaf raking. You might be surprised at how lucrative these can be. About 6 weeks ago, we held a carwash and raised over $800! We had 2012's robot out as a static display to help get the attention of drivers and to show a small part of what the students get out of FIRST. With respect to pricing your services, we ask drivers for a donation rather than a fixed price. We are usually surprised by the generosity of the public.

While we have not held this year's leaf raking event, last year we raised over $500. We prepared an informative leaflet and distributed it in the target neighborhood in advance of the rake up event. Just my .02...

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

Everyone thank you so much for your replies.

Heres an update: The school district did decide to chip in 2000 after all and we are within a few hundred dollars of being abole to afford the registration fee. And are going to register for a regional.

We have also applied for the NASA grant, and have our fingers crossed.

I've though about team fees, but our school frowns on that sort of things, and with the economic background of my students a $100 fee would probably cut 3/4 the team out.

Fortunately travel expenses (other than lodging) are covered by the school. We will have to pay for our own hotel. Last year we couldn't afford this, and actually slept on my parents basement floor in sleeping bags, and drove an hour back and forth to Cleveland. If it comes to it we could do that again.

We did a presentation for the rotary club last spring, but didn't get any sponsors from it yet.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

That is great to hear! Keep at it and I know you will be able to raise that last little bit.

Based on our last conversation I have sent a note out to my parents about possible home-staying 2-3 students per family so that you would be able to attend the Queen City Regional and not have to get hotel rooms.

Although there is a Residence Inn in Sharonville, OH that has 2 story rooms that sleep 8 people, so that could be an inexpensive option.

I will email you about the home-stays when I start hearing back from my parents.

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

Some other community organizations you may wish to approach if they are active in your area are: Lions Club, Kiwanis, or Ruritan.

If you have a local chamber of commerce they can be a great resource for networking with small businesses, while many of them may not be able to give monetary donations to the team they will often be able to provide a service you don't otherwise have access to.

Has any team had good luck getting sponsorship on a site such as kickstarter

Re: Questions on funding/ folding a team
 

I know 696 did one and I believe was successfully funded.