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Re: Grants
Although I wouldn't consider myself an expert in grants, I can tell you things I've done to help the team raise funds. First, our team does a letter writing campaign to all past sponsors in September. Letters are also made up to send to potential sponsors, and all student members are encouraged to take letters with them to give to their parents to take to their place of employment. If students hold jobs, they can take letters to their employers also. Include in this letter that if a company cannot donate funds, then perhaps they can help with some other need your team has that won't require a cash donation. We've gotten new mentors this way, we've gotten parts made, and this year we have a company who will donate powder coating.
When I first started the letter campaign four years ago, we sent letters to almost every local company requesting donations. The list has been scaled down, based on how many times we received no response. Records are now kept of every letter that goes out, with results so that we can compare year to year.
We also raise money by doing brat fries at local supermarkets, selling items throughout the year, and selling raffle tickets in conjunction with another local team.
Remember, the more the community sees you, the better.
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