One of the things FRC Team 1501 T.H.R.U.S.T. does is we have a robot catalog where people can buy parts for our robot. Anywhere from $5.00 for a box of rivets to $5000.00 for a regional. Funny thing though, we have not had anyone buy us a regional

It's easier to ask for parts for your robot as opposed to just asking for money.
Another thing we do. The local Pizza Hut allows us to come in a on a certain Monday's and for every buffet they sell, we get $1.00 plus all the tips. The students take orders, bus tables and generally keep the salad bar stocked. Last time we made over $500.00.
Another thing, you don't need to find one sponsor for $5000.00. You might be able to find 5 sponsors for $1000.00 or 10 for $500.00.
Just keep after it
Oh and a couple of more mentors couldn't hurt

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We Build Robots and Careers
World's - #1 seeded in Archimedes, WON Archimedes and made it to Einstein
2016 NC District - Guilford County. #13 seeded, Finalist. Won Quality award.
IN District - Tippecanoe. #4 seeded. Won Innovation in Control award.
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IN District - State Championship. #1 seeded. Finalist. Won Excellence inn Engineering award.