[FarmerJohn]

Remember that most events are paid for not by FIRST, but by sponsors. Your registration money doesn't go to running the event, it goes to FIRST. So if FIRST doesn't pay for the events, what do they pay for? Employees, but that still doesn't merit the amount of money they have in the bank.

In the economy of running robotics competitions your primary costs are going to be paying for the competition and paying for your organization employees, and that's about it. FIRST doesn't pay for the parts, or the mentors, or the volunteers. However if the main cost is paid for by sponsors, and the teams still pay you, that's just a constant stream of revenue incoming with the only outgoing cash going towards paying employees. And with the money FIRST makes from registration, I'm sure they have quite a bit left over after paying all of their employees. FIRST is among the most profitable non-profits out there.