we receive exceptional support from our school and school district, but the only direct funding is through a stipend to the teacher.
We have a great build space and tools within the school. Some were given to us, but we maintain them, buy spare parts, and buy our hand tools.
You can run a team with community and corporate support. Each student on our team gets $250 in community sponsorship. We make presentations to businesses and organizations to get their support.
You can make it happen. It will be easier if they let you stay in the school, but you can make it happen.
here is a presentation we did at the 2010 Championships about sponsors -
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2380