[Jon Stratis]

make a list of what the team needs, and where all your money goes. A sponsor will be more willing to donate knowing that she's helping the team to do/buy X, than simply helping to fund the team in some way.

For example, our team has a wish list of things we want to get - at the top of the list this year is a second cRio. We know exactly how much it costs, and when talking with a potential sponsor, we can clearly articulate how it will help the team (early season prototyping, running two robots at once for practice, running the practice robot between competitions, etc). Being able to do this lets the sponsor know you're serious, you know how to handle the money they're giving you, and exactly what their money is going towards.

You also have to be able to provide a reason for the sponsor to give you their money. Advertising works really well - for different funding amounts, they get their name on your t-shirt and/or robot. For higher funding amounts, you can include a small logo. For even higher, a bigger logo. For a much higher, and longer term commitment, they can be a main sponsor for the team, and be introduced as such. For example, we are the "Boston Scientific & Convent of the Visitation School" Robettes - Boston Scientific is our one main sponsor.

When talking about how this will help them with advertising, you have to know the audience it gets in front of. If you're trying to get funding from a store that targets teens (pick the favorite teen clothing store of the day, for example), telling them that you'll be going to a local competition with hundreds of your piers is great. If your sponsor sells electrical parts, highlighting the professional mentors you and other teams have (which could directly increase their sales), and the fact that the program draws students who are interested in science, technology, and engineering is great.