Questions on funding/ folding a team

[dricks]

The problem comes down to funding your entry fee and travel. Like many other school events, on team 704 we require our students to provide part of the cost. Last year each of our students were responsible for coming up with $270. We give them opportunities to raise funds. They can bring in a sponsor, raise funds through fund raising, or have mom and dad write the check. This amount pays for most of our travel expenses. We sell E-watt light bulbs, Hex Bugs and wind up robots. We work the refreshment stand at school district sporting events and work other fund raising opportunities.

Students work with mentors on corporate sponsorships. If a student (or group of students ) bring in a new sponsor they get credit against what they need to earn. Returning sponsorships go to team. We have a number of sponsorship in various dollar amounts. Students need to check with their parents employers, many companies will provide sponsorship for non profit activities their employees and their families are involved in. Car dealerships and insurance companies are another good source of sponsorships. Talk to all the companies in your area. They can't say yes if they are not ask.

Finally we do apply for grants. Corporations like Time Warner Cable often offer grants to groups in areas they serve. There may be companies in your area that give FIRST specific grants, but you can also find educational and other grants that might be available.

We attend two Regionals and we work on fund raising year round.

[matthewdenny]

Everyone thank you so much for your replies.

Heres an update: The school district did decide to chip in 2000 after all and we are within a few hundred dollars of being abole to afford the registration fee. And are going to register for a regional.

We have also applied for the NASA grant, and have our fingers crossed.

I've though about team fees, but our school frowns on that sort of things, and with the economic background of my students a $100 fee would probably cut 3/4 the team out.

Fortunately travel expenses (other than lodging) are covered by the school. We will have to pay for our own hotel. Last year we couldn't afford this, and actually slept on my parents basement floor in sleeping bags, and drove an hour back and forth to Cleveland. If it comes to it we could do that again.

We did a presentation for the rotary club last spring, but didn't get any sponsors from it yet.

[Jimmy Nichols]

Originally Posted by matthewdenny

Everyone thank you so much for your replies.

Heres an update: The school district did decide to chip in 2000 after all and we are within a few hundred dollars of being abole to afford the registration fee. And are going to register for a regional.

We have also applied for the NASA grant, and have our fingers crossed.

I've though about team fees, but our school frowns on that sort of things, and with the economic background of my students a $100 fee would probably cut 3/4 the team out.

Fortunately travel expenses (other than lodging) are covered by the school. We will have to pay for our own hotel. Last year we couldn't afford this, and actually slept on my parents basement floor in sleeping bags, and drove an hour back and forth to Cleveland. If it comes to it we could do that again.

We did a presentation for the rotary club last spring, but didn't get any sponsors from it yet.

That is great to hear! Keep at it and I know you will be able to raise that last little bit.

Based on our last conversation I have sent a note out to my parents about possible home-staying 2-3 students per family so that you would be able to attend the Queen City Regional and not have to get hotel rooms.

Although there is a Residence Inn in Sharonville, OH that has 2 story rooms that sleep 8 people, so that could be an inexpensive option.

I will email you about the home-stays when I start hearing back from my parents.

[Phyrxes]

Originally Posted by matthewdenny

Everyone thank you so much for your replies.

Heres an update: The school district did decide to chip in 2000 after all and we are within a few hundred dollars of being abole to afford the registration fee. And are going to register for a regional.

We have also applied for the NASA grant, and have our fingers crossed.

I've though about team fees, but our school frowns on that sort of things, and with the economic background of my students a $100 fee would probably cut 3/4 the team out.

Fortunately travel expenses (other than lodging) are covered by the school. We will have to pay for our own hotel. Last year we couldn't afford this, and actually slept on my parents basement floor in sleeping bags, and drove an hour back and forth to Cleveland. If it comes to it we could do that again.

We did a presentation for the rotary club last spring, but didn't get any sponsors from it yet.

Some other community organizations you may wish to approach if they are active in your area are: Lions Club, Kiwanis, or Ruritan.

If you have a local chamber of commerce they can be a great resource for networking with small businesses, while many of them may not be able to give monetary donations to the team they will often be able to provide a service you don't otherwise have access to.