[wendymom]

Exploding Bacon has never gotten a rookie grant from anyone. Our first year we formed after the NASA rookie grants were awarded. We never qualified after that. One thing we learned last year was to not put all your eggs in one basket. We have been fortunate our first two years to be fully funded (15K)by one main sponsor. Last year, two weeks before payment was due, they let us know that couldnt fund us again. We were forced to scramble and diversify to get small amounts from lots of different companies. We actually ended up raising more than the original 15K. Now if one sponsor pulls out we aren't in as bad a position. Don't discount anyone. A team in South Florida is sponsored by a car wash another team gets checks from a hair salon. Contact your local VFW, Kiwannis Club, Lions Club, Toastmasters Club and anyone else you can think of.

Check the rookie rules. Like said in above posts....if you have more than 5 students from previous teams.....you don't qualify as a rookie, at least according to last years rules.