[FrankJ]

If the funds came through (IE donations paid to ) or provided by the local government agency it pretty clear. It is property of the agency. With the limited information provided: If the mantor/coach just wanted to stuff, they are out of luck. If they want to start another team then they need to convince the agency that is a good idea. Government agency are also constrained by laws governing surplus property. I would avoid the threat of legal action in the discussion. First lawyer consult will be more than cost of the equipment. Lawsuits against the government are never cheap. ;]

Extension offices are actually government. At least in my state. Technically not 501C but for this case functionally the same.

Maybe not exactly the same, but I know of a similar situation. A school ended its FRC program. The team split off and became a community team with a 501-C foundation. It took a meeting between the school and the sponsor that provided the funds to buy the team equipment to get the school to release the equipment.