Quote:
Originally Posted by compwiztobe
Rookies here have typically found the same 1st and 2nd year grants that teams all over the US are offered. I think what makes a big difference is that the RPC (Regional Planning Committee) has done a great job of making connections with the large tech companies in the state, and have hooked many of us up with their contacts. Having several employees of these big companies in your district sending kids to your school helps a lot too.
The only FIRST-affiliated non-profit I am aware of in Minnesota (aside from individual teams) is High Tech Kids, who runs the FLL and FTC programs. The Regional Planning Committee for FRC does not have a non-profit status (as far as I know), and cannot hold any funds intermediately between companies, teams, events, etc.
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This is correct, we have a couple of dedicated RPC members that are great at finding funding for teams. The RPC has identified many very gracious companies and executives that will support MN teams but past the initial $5,000 teams are (usually) on their own to fundraise. In Minnesota it isn't a question of whether or not there is funding to run a team but more of a question if there is leadership to run a team.
The majority of teams are coached by a single science, math or technology teacher that don't always know what they are getting themselves into. There are many teams in MN (2470 being one) that don't have any professional engineers mentoring them, thankfully the number of teams that have professional engineers as mentor is growing every year.
The biggest sustainability issue in my mind for MN is finding those lead mentors/coaches and making sure they don't become overwhelmed throughout a season.
FRC does not have a non-profit that it runs under in Minnesota and in my opinion is the biggest obstacle to districts.
High Tech Kids also runs Jr. FLL.