Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

Our regional director arranged for the JC Penneys funding for the teams in our area. I believe that each individual store donates to their closest team, within a specified distance. The manager of our store, when she came to visit our team, mentioned about having fundraisers at the store over the summer.


And the t-shirts are nice but we didn't wear them either as our official shirt. I don't think that was a requirement.


I know there has been a lot of criticism about JCP only giving money, but I think we need to be careful we don't kill the goose. If all JCP hears back from the teams are Why aren't you doing more to help us?, the money may disappear. One corporation can't do everything. Teams should be proactive and helping themselves, not just sitting back and waiting for help.

Re: jcpenney expands its support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

For those who didn't know, Penney was the last name of the founder, and not the coin!

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. formally announced in February the introduction of a new image and logo featuring an all lower case name: jcpenney. The initials JCP are also represented as their lower case version "jcp."

As we try to properly represent FIRST with name and logo, we should try to do the same for jcpenney.


If the teams work with their sponsoring store and invite them to demos and local competitions, I'm sure there will be some employees or relatives of employees who become interested in mentoring or providing other support. No one sells FIRST better than engaged students driving around a cool robot!

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

This year we, Team 1912, got a call from our local JCPenney store saying they wanted to sponsor us. They sent us $1000, a banner and shirts. Two of their managers came to visit us during a build session and have invited us to demo in the store. Most people told us that they only wanted to sponsor rookie teams but this is our sixth year. But, hey, we are glad to have their sponsorship anyway!

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

The JCP booth at the Championship was passing out cards with a website to (I think) an online application to apply for sponsorship of next season. Does anyone have that link/addrerss? Thanks!

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

JC Penney did the money grab machine at champion ships, I know there is another thread about that but here is a video one of our team members that got $1000 for 1730.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL4_ZEeueXs

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

I would also love an answer to this question. Does anyone know?

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

Whether they are seeded with NASA or jcpenny (or any other) rookie startup funds, teams need to learn how to build an effective business model, gather community support, and wean themselves off of these large grants.

NASA and jcpenney did their part....

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Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

Any ideas why this is not being promoted? pennies from heaven
http://jcpenneyafterschool.org/

I did a quick search on the usfirst site but I couldn't find any info using the "search" feature.
But I have received info from other local organizations who are participating.

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

Does anyone know were/how to apply for the jcp grant?

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

I called the store manager of our local Penney's about this after also coming up blank by search the internet. He explained to me that there is no way to "apply". Corporate headquaters matches stores with teams in their region. They can only sponsor one team per store. His store was already sponsoring a team. I tried calling corporate headquaters but was only able to leave messages which were never returned. If anyone has a way to reach corporate to discuss this, please let me know!

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

At the last FIRST WC there was a JCP booth. The folks in it were giving out info about how to apply for the grants. I picked up a package and gave it to someone back home. I don't have easy access to the info any more.

Keep rooting around here on CD and you should find a link or find someone who has the paper copy of the info.

Blake

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

I know the Regional Director here helped to introduce some teams. I would contact your RD (and Senior Mentor, if you have one).

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

...and if you don't know who that is, go here.

Re: JC Penny expand their support for FIRST Robotics !!!!!
 

Definitely work with your regional director, don't contact the store directly. Often the individuals at the store may not have the information you need and at least in California, all JCPenney grants were coordinated through the regional director.