On the LigerBots, we spent $46k in 2014, while last year we spent almost $47k. However, both years we went to Worlds, which gets expensive when driving from just outside Boston to St. Louis. Without counting Worlds, we spent approximately 12.5k and 18.5k respectively. We would have spent more, but we didn't have the money.Money for Worlds tends to come mostly from parents paying travel costs, and additional sponsorship money.
We are currently reusing stock, primarily from the RR bot. One of the reasons is something you might want to think about doing, which is demonstrations. Let's face it, 2015 was not an exciting game. Nobody wants to look at things stacking crates (unless it's like the Scorpion from 246). We are using the stock we used for RR to fix our 2014 bot, for outreach events, because catapult bots are way cooler than stacker bots. Try hooking up with local stores to set up a demonstration in a parking lot and have a donation box. Do fundraisers, make a website with a donation button. If all else fails, try going to other towns to find sponsors.
If you want more specific help, I'd like more specifications on your current budget. I'm the LigerBots (student) treasurer, so if your sponsors would like an example of what other teams finances can look like, feel free to ask.
