To be a member of Team #217, you must raise $1000.
Most students start with small businesses owned by family, friends, relatives, etc.
From there, we start going to businesses in our area. We have brochures that we can take, we make presentations, and if needed, we bring a robot along.
Once we attract a sponsor, we make sure they stay with us by sending updates and most of us send personal letters as well.
Additionally, we try and get sponsors to come to the Detroit Regional (our 'homecoming' of sorts) to keep interest in our team and also attract other sponsors.
Our robotics team has a tax id number, and donations can be written off (helps a ton).
For my money this year, I had
~500 come from family friends, some personal contributions, others from their private practices as doctors / lawyers.
~500 I got from the Ruzic Research Fund, Mr. Ruzic was a friend of the family before his passing away last year.
~500 a machine shop in the area which donated the money (a friend of the family is in management).
Living in the metro-detroit area, the smaller businesses are a MUST for soliciting funds. It seems that EVERYBODY works for one of the Big 3 and when our team is sponsored by FORD, sometimes you just cant ask GM or DCX to sponsor you.
One of our team members got $5000 this year from Meijers (the grocery store chain) very quickly after making our presentation.
Small Businesses = Your Friend!
The easiest way to get money is to start with some brochures and make presentations. Most companies dont say no to giving money for good causes, and FIRST is one.
PM me if you want a copy of our brochure, I'm sure our marketing staff can get it to you.