[ttldomination]

The suggestions here to seem to get into a bit of a long term solutions, but I think the skinny of it is:

(1) Contact your regional director.
(2) Ask your students to chip in a little more.

Additionally, reach out to parents/community partners that you guys have worked with in the past. A personal plea to help out with some temporary financial needs can often yield to unexpected results.

Additionally, considering reaching out to your administrator to meeting you half way on the money, or at the very least, consider giving you a slight "loan" so that you can make the FIRST deadline and then you'll have more time to do some fund raising.

Additionally, consider some emergency fundraising. If your school will allow you to sell things during lunch (Ramen) or if you guys can do a carwash, then that would be yield some exciting profits as well.

Finally, and I know this is kind of an obvious alternative, but have you considered perhaps taking a break? I would find it hard to believe that if a team activity is generating genuine interest, then a school administrator would opt to cut its funding. Perhaps get behind the decision to move to VEX, and then consider a return to FRC when you've either (a) gathered enough funds or (b) you want to consider expanding the VEX program. It may not be ideal, but perhaps take a step back in an attempt to admire the bigger picture.

- Sunny G.