[EricH]

If we're going to start our own sustainability initiative, we need to consider why teams drop out, and target that.

Up here in SD, the half-dozen or so teams that used to be here back around 5 years ago are all gone. They were funded by a grant, and when the grantor had to cut back on funding due to other things, they dropped out, except for one. That one team is no longer in FRC. I can think of another 4-5 teams in and around L.A. that have dropped out for whatever reason, funding included.

Most of the teams that I know about that have dropped have not been able (or, not been willing) to raise the funds needed to compete. Some went to FTC or VRC, as both of those are cheaper, but others seem to have vanished entirely. Very few have disappeared due to lack of students/mentors.