[Nathan Streeter]

The exact methods may vary, but the single most important thing is to follow-up!! Keep going at it until you get a "yes" or a "no." Once you get a "yes," follow-up with polite reminders if the donation is delayed.

The method I've most often used for smallish companies is to e-mail them at their general address (i.e. info@___). This e-mail should be well-written, should include some informative links (videos would probably be good), should quickly expose them to your "cause," and should enumerate different ways they can help (for our FRC team this usually includes practice space, money, manufacturing, products, or tools). I typically follow-up with another e-mail a few days later, then a call the day after the follow-up e-mail. Usually nothing has *really* happened by the time I call, but the e-mails have usually gotten to the inbox of the people that matter... this means by the time you call they may have some questions and/or you may help spur them on to "seal the deal."

Reach out to your team and try to get a list of companies (preferably technically-related) at which people have contacts. Giving a hard or soft copies of fundraising materials to this contact is usually even more effective.

Apply for corporate grants! These are usually too short-notice for getting funds to go to CMP, but can be the way that gives the most "bang for your buck." These grant applications are usually due during the summer and fall. Research potential grants now and put the deadlines in a calendar... it'll help you get them in on time! If you already have sponsors through corporate grants and have qualified for CMP, see if they'll pitch in a bit more... they often do!

In-person visits can be excellent and efficient... A visit from some students (and potentially an adult) with some paperwork and something for show-and-tell can be very memorable! Following up afterward with e-mails and calls is still critical, though.

Larger corporations may require or appreciate a student-led presentation or demo. We've done this for a couple of our larger companies.

Another important part is keeping your sponsors! Keep them included with things like newsletters, updates, hardware/gifts/trophies, and demonstrations... once you've found someone willing to support you, the last thing you want is for them to lose interest! A little bit of effort here can go a long way towards making your future fundraising efforts easier!