[Joe G.]

Talk to other Japanese teams in other robotics programs. Japan has a strong presence in VEX, FLL, the robogames, and other robotics competitions. Ask these teams how they cover their expenses. They will probably be more familiar with the landscape for soliciting charitable donations for robotics competition in Japan than we will.

Also, get in touch with some top level Chairman's teams. They have done some amazing things to spread FRC globally, and may be able to provide more direct advice. Team 359 immediately comes to mind, especially because attending the Hawaii regional would likely be a logical choice for your team.

Short of that, here's my stock advice for sponsor recruitment:

• Do your research! Learn about the companies you approach, and what kind of giving they are best equipped to do. Don't make unreasonable requests. Be on the lookout for unique, non-financial ways a company can support your team, from donated materials, to mentors, to publicity. If you do well here, you can get a majority of materials donated directly, rather than spending funds on them.
  
  
• The two huge areas where you will likely be unable to get any signifigant in-kind donations are event registration and travel. Every other aspect of your team, approach companies who would be able to make donations in-kind. One huge thing here is machining services. Approach machine shops, sheet metal shops, manufacturing plants, vocational schools, and universities for help, you can get a surprising amount done for free. You may even be able to get some old tools donated to your team.
  
  
• Find out what companies have a history of charitable donations. Companies with a track record will be much more likely to contribute to you. Larger companies will often have a department or person in charge of this.
  
  
• Start with local companies rather than big names (local, big names are best). In the US at least, all but the largest companies tend to be primarily interested in supporting their immediate community, instead of spreading themselves too thin.
  
  
• Every member, mentor, parent, and supporter of your team is a resource here. Connections at their workplaces can be a great place to start and get your foot in the door. We have an entry survey for our students which asks for parent employers, and we pursue many of these which show additional green flags for sponsorship.
  
  
• Tech and manufacturing companies are always a solid place to start, but think outside the box. I've heard of teams getting support from some real unusual sources, including dentists, a minor league baseball team, and a perfume company. Again, a history of charitable donations/support and connections are more important than a direct link to the kind of work you do as an FRC team.
  
  
• Make sure you have whatever the Japanese equivalent of 501c3 status is. Being registered as a nonprofit organization is a requirement for sponsorship from the vast majority of companies, especially larger ones which have a formal process for this. If you are directly affiliated with a school or school district, this may be taken care of for you already.
  
  
• Crucial: Don't make your relationship with sponsors one-sided. Rather, seek out ways in which you can act as partners to your sponsors. Go beyond a simple thank-you letter. Connect these companies to your students for internships and jobs, encourage employee involvement with the team, help support community events the company puts on or supports, provide robot demonstrations, whatever you can. Companies will provide much greater support when they gain just as much from it, rather than feeling like they're doing you a huge favor.