[nonother]

Receiving financial donations for a FVC team will absolutely be easier if you are affiliated with a high school. Before affiliating our team with the high school we sought out the viability of receiving funds as an independent 501(c)3. We called several companies and asked them, but understandably they informed us that they rarely give to organizations without a history; which of course a high school possesses. Since affiliating ourselves with the high school, we created a team packet that has instrumental in us receiving donations.

Here are my tips for creating a team packet (with some parts tailored to the fact your team is new, like ours):
-The first page should be an Executive Summary. First and foremost it needs to clearly state you are asking for a donation. It should briefly include why you are forming the team, what FIRST and FVC are, and an example of your commitment to the team. Mention where more specific information on each topic can be found in your packet (obviously you'll have to add the specific page numbers later). The idea of this page is that after reading they know everything necessary to donate money to your team. The rest of the packet is supporting information.
-Your team doesn't have a history, you can't include any news articles or mention any awards. That's ok, because of course every team has to start somewhere. Instead talk about the team's vision; about what the team will become. This isn't supposed to be lofty. Explain how you honestly think the team will impact the high school.
-This I would say is optional but definetly a good idea. Since you are a small team have each member type up a bulleted resume of their academic, math, and science achievement. The idea behind this is because your team has no history and no track record you can help to alleviate this by showing each team members' personal record.
-In more detail explain what FIRST and FVC are. Describe either last year's challenge or this year's challenge depending on where you write it. Keep in mind the person reading it may not know the first thing about robotics, so don't make it too technical. Finally tie-in the competition and your team.
-Create a page breaking down all expected costs. This is perhaps the most important page of the entire packet aside from Executive Summary. Virtually every company will expect to know how their money will be spent. Be as explicit as possible. For instance when you say you will need to X dollars for the regional competition, tell them where and when it is if you know the information.
-The donation page. Create a form where a donating corporation can fill out all of their contact information which they will mail back to you along with their check.
-An optional but nice touch is to add a pre-addressed pre-stamped envelope. Several companies have told us they appreciated the gesture.

One week later
-Call all of the people are the companies you contacted. You are calling to check that they got your packet, and to see if they have any questions. The other reason for calling is that in doing so you will remind them of your donation request. Many corporations receive hundreds of requests a month, calling makes a huge difference. If you leave a voicemail make sure to leave a number they can you call you back at. The reality is that you will rarely get a response from leaving a voicemail. So in that case wait a few days and call them back again and hopefully you will be able to get them on the phone. If you don't get them don't leave another voicemail.

After receiving a donation
-Send them a thank you. If they donated a large amount have a plaque made for them. (The amount for them to receive a plaque should be decided in advance and you should mention it in your packet.)
-Periodically send them letters throughout your season keeping them apprised of your team's accomplishments.

Good luck!