mentorDon:
Have you:
Had students make presentations to the school board?
Had students make presentations at your local rotary?
Had students make presentations at your chamber of commerce?
Call these guys:
http://www.kcnext.com/
Is there a local community or technical college with a machine shop?
Have you tried your school's PTA?
Made presentations to potential incoming freshman?
Reached out to your students' parents for support?
These things are generally easy to set up - and adults in tech fields *love* to listen to high school kids who are excited about building robots.
A tax-deductible give of $2000 is generally nothing to a business, but a huge boost to a robotics team. Just call them and make a presentation. Yes, request monetary help, but do the presentation whether help is promised or not - you are more than likely going to make contacts who can help through their work. I'm not saying its easy, but there are opportunities in Kansas City. You just have to make your team known to the right people.