We Need Help!
 

We are from Team 2645 from Muskegon, MI. We are trying to raise funds to compete at state, but are having a hard time. Many companies have been contacted without sucess. We need some money fast! We are asking other teams for ideas, and/or contacts that will produce funds in a short order. Our team placed 1st at the Traverse City Competition. Our team has worked hard this build season on our robot, it would be sad to not be able to experience state. The economy of Michigan is putting a financial pinch on our robotics team. We really need your help! Thanks for the responses in advance!

Re: We Need Help!
 

One of our mentors says- check out restaurants such as: appleBees, TGIfridays, Wendys Burger King, Mcdonalds, or any kind of chain resturants to see if they will do a proceed night, where the proceeds go to your robotics team

Re: We Need Help!
 

It is still cold, but try a car wash. Sell tickets for $5 in advance. We often make $2000 or more like this. Everyone on the team sells, everyone on the team washes cars; anyone missing from washing stays home when the team goes to States.

Re: We Need Help!
 

I would try local contributors like mom and pop places that could get you a few dollars. I know one school that did this last year to get money fast and it worked for them. Ask your schools administration first. Have a "hat day" or a "dress down day" for students if you normally wear uniforms. Then charge the kids to do either option. Just a suggestion for quick cash. Also, trying talking to your administration, they might have some extra funds for you. If you need any other ideas, PM me.

Cass

Re: We Need Help!
 

Depending on the size of your team a can drive works well. That's a pretty easy $1000 in about 4 hours a person just going around collecting returnables depending on the neighborhoods and people. I've also seen it work where you can talk to a local grocery store and set up in front and collect returnables there. 40,000 cans and you're at state!

Re: We Need Help!
 

Start talking to local businesses. Explain who you are and why you're important. Brochures are key. Explain that you're just like a business in that while what you do is a lot, you can't do it on your own. As of course explain donations would equal a sponsorship which means they'll get their information on your t-shirt or something. Also, if they don't want to or can't do flat donations, ask about hosting an event there. With these I'd say start in smaller local places that a lot of people know. Also at these you can have raffles or something. BUT. Be sure to check your school policies about that because at our school we can't have raffles so we have little things to go around that. If that's the case I can explain that more in detail.

Also, Try to arrange a small fundraiser every month. Like, we had a bake sale in November, candy-grams in December, etc. Keep them simple, and for now keep them within the school. Advertising things like this around town are hard. Just think of something and act upon it. But don't overdo it. It gets too complicated that way. You don't need a four part talent show. Set a date, set up posters around teh school, make an annoucement if your school allows it, and you're good to go. A big piece of advice on this I MUST emphazise is make sure people on your team sign up for helping at these events. As in, have an actual sign up sheet where they actually write their name. There's a bigger sense for them to actually go if it's on paper.

And, looking in the future, if you can find a restaurant that would like to host you, keep their contact information. Many places, if they like you, would be more than willing to host you more than once a year.

Best wishes!

Re: We Need Help!
 

You took the words right out of my mouth! We usually can make about $1200 for a can drive after a saturday or sunday of collecting.

Also try talking to your district for money. Seeing how you guys have won TC for the past two years, I think you definitely have leverage to beg your district for money. We haven't had much success with our district ourselves, but many other teams in the area have. It's worth a shot!

Re: We Need Help!
 

Never forget the end all of fundraising Niagara Chocolate. We did this for our FTC team last month 2 weeks and we made 600 with 6 students selling. With an FRC team you have more kids and you can sell faster. Good Luck

Re: We Need Help!
 

Speaking of chocolate, Divine Chocolate is really good for selling as well. Not only do you get profit, but also some of the proceeds help causes in Africa, seeing as you're selling fair trade chocolate. If you mention that your fundraising has a dual purpose, not only will you feel better, but others seem to like that as well :)