[JYang]

as for the funding is concerned, you do not have to just fundraise. if your school is unwilling to let the team go out and fundraise, you can always go around to companies to ask for grants or look for government/ corporation grants that are specifically set aside for programs such as FIRST. that way your school should not worry about taking money away from other groups.

for practice, see if you can get a piece of carpet and practice in the gym / library of your school. many other teams set up in an open space outside (such as a parking lot) and practice there.