Returning Grant Money
 

Our team 6054, applied for the NASA and FIRST rookie grants. We received $4000 from FIRST rookie grant, but it looks like we didn't win any of the NASA money. Due to some peculiarities in the way our district handles clubs we aren't allowed to fundraise or solicit sponsors until later this month. This means we will not have the funds to complete registration the deadline. So, we would rather some other team get the rookie grant money, (and our spot in Pittsburgh) that will be able to make use of it. How should we go about this?

Thanks, for your help.

Re: Returning Grant Money
 

you should contact FIRST directly, and see what they can do about it (help your team compete or transfer your grant) Good luck! :)

Re: Returning Grant Money
 

If you are still interested in competing this year, you should contact the Pittsburgh RD Patricia DePra with pdepra [at] usfirst [dot] org and you should get in touch with FIRST/FIRST Finance at 1-800-871-8326 ext. 563. on Monday at 8:30 AM when they open up.

Oh man. I wish I personally could get you $1,000. Would reaching out to any of our teams sponsors to help you out be aloud with your district policies?

There's also a way to write a grant yourself and get a company to fund you that way. One of my mentors has some experience in that.

I truly appreciate the sentiment. I'm not sure if they would go for it or not since we didn't solicit it. They might.

I would never turn down help with sponsors also. If you could PM me I'd be interested in talking to you.

Re: Returning Grant Money
 

Send your RD an email as soon as you are done reading this and then Mon morning call FIRST. FIRST can allow you to pay later, give you a hardship grant ect. Be prepared to explain your situation and provide documentation if possible. Also be prepared to tell them what your plans are to fundraise as soon as you are allowed to.

FIRST and your RD want your team to participate and they will do what they can to make it happen.

Re: Returning Grant Money
 

Also talk to your school administration, and district adiministration, and the CTE/STEM director and the Superintendent.

They may be willing to "loan" the team the money to meet the payment deadline, IF you can show them a plan on how you will pay them back. The reality is that there is usually money set aside as discretionary funds or they may be able to rob Peter to pay Paul in the short term.

Re: Returning Grant Money
 

At the risk of totally subverting the stupid catch-22 rule, is there a likely sponsor from whom you could solicit a loan, with the implicit understanding that it would be paid off when you are allowed to solicit a donation?

Thanks everyone. We are working with our RD to explore the options. I'll keep you posted when we know more.