Quote:
Originally Posted by lineskier
This type of business collaboration is phenomenal, and I am excited to hear that it is going on. It's awesome to hear that students are able to leverage the strength of a larger business and give back to the FIRST community at the same time.
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I've had other posts about this so forgive me for repeating and I see there is another thread about alliances. But there are some valuable lessons learned.
Many of these teams were hitting up the same sponsors. Sponsors were more willing to give to a group, rather than supporting an individual team. One company had sponsored various teams over the years, but was happy to give to the BAA instead. It's an easier sell. The state dept. of education was impressed and gave the BAA some funding. The TIME center
http://www.time-center.org/ has been a huge partner. One of the members was invited to do a pitch for the MD. Space Business Roundtable and they gave funding. The key elements are: the teams are under this common umbrella and they have access to a 501(c)3 (a private foundation who agreed to help.)
It's been fun watching this group evolve. Like every "team" it wouldn't happen without some dedicated people who stepped up to key roles. Each year there seems to be different challenges. This year it was "how do we fairly give out funding?" It's provoked some interesting discussion. And how exciting it was for the group to see "Baltimore Area Alliance" in many of the sponsor names for Maryland teams.
There is an ebb and flow. Teams have dropped out, joined, taken on more of a role, stepped back.
Who knows what will happen this year?