I haven't once received a phone call from anyone at FIRST telling me they have people waiting in the wings to sponsor my team.

I think we should all look to past precedents... when the Russian space agency was short of funds, what did they do? They let a billionaire pay them in return for taking him up into space! Now all we gotta do is figure out a way to launch someone into space cheaply enough to still break even with the profits earned from selling the tickets.... X-prize anyone?

I thought of another prospect for teams is lawfirms, they are everywhere and have money, im not sure if they will give the out any money but its worth a try.

1086, Deep Run High tried, but they got the reason I gave you.

And then they can interpret competition rules. :D

More seriously, on the subject of companies that don't sponsor school-related organizations directly... teams can still try to find a way, maybe through indirect sponsorship (already been mentioned). Maybe these companies will have to be targeted by FIRST itself. Or (wacky idea) maybe set up a local organization of robotics teams (WRRF, SCRRF, etc.) and have the company sponsor the organization, then having the organization then distribute money to the individual teams.... then again, I have little experience with this, so I don't know if it is even practical.

While some people have thrown out off-the-wall ideas here about fundraisng, most teams here (and ours too) are strictly watched by our school. We can't even do a fundraiser that's even similar to one being done by another organization in our school! Our school system is so anail, what makes you think they'll like the idea of us getting moeny from an open pool for all teams?

I wouldn't consider these major donations to FIRST or the operation of FIRST. While the software they donate is 'expensive' for someone to buy themself it is cheap to give away. This software has little to do with the competition as well (except for autodesk, which is debateable as well if you account the ammount of emphasis that they but on the animation during the competition). Visual Studio is great to have, but doesn't help you to program a robot in pbasic. File maker pro is cool.....thats about it. You need financial support. Microsoft is worth trillions. They can spare some money to FIRST opperations. I also agree that hardware companies should now start sponsoring FIRST or at least give discounts. Since we are now allowed to use seperate computers on the bot (ala WildStangs stang sense) a low end laptop could be a feasable donation or very low priced for purchase. The possibilities are endless (hrm.. isn't that phrase coyrighted by someone?)

The open pool would be like a grant warehouse. The organization receives the money, hence it's doing the "fundraising." The organization is independent, so schools can't control how it fundraises. Teams getting money from the organization would then be getting a direct donation or something like a grant. No trudging on other fundraisers within the school. And grants seem to work, or else there wouldn't be NASA teams and KPCB teams and the likes. I think the distribution part is something that can actually work. What I'm more doubtful about is the actual setup, becoming a non-profit so sponsors can get a tax write off, directing funds that may be team specific, etc... this is where it can head into the realm of impracticality.

im sorry i know this is a little off topic, but will kpcb be continuing the $2000 per team mentored??? does anybody know?

Tomarro i Will have a meeting with a tv station, so even if i dont get any $ Then mabie we can get our car wash this weekend advirtised

I am focusing on researching for the little technology companies that may be willing to sponsor a robotics team. Generally there are always new technologies being developed and new companies popping up all over the place. These companies also tend to produce a lot of press so just pick up your science and technology magazine and read.