Fundraising Advice

[dcarr]

Call local businesses and ask to meet with someone. You'll be surprised how many people are willing to listen to what you have to say and support you however they can. Be prepared and professional - have a pitch ready to go for potential sponsors.

Reach out within the school community. There are undoubtedly parents who themselves are in a position to sponsor, or work for a company that can.

There are many excellent threads about fundraising here on CD, so I'd suggest you search and read the stuff that's out there. The two stickies are not a bad place to start.

Depending on the rules of your school, don't rule out a team fee or "suggested contribution" if many families are able and willing to help.

Feel free to PM me if you need help with specific details, your business plan, etc.

[waialua359]

If you plan to attend Championships in April, I'll be submitting to do a presentation again on Program Management and Sustainability.
Last year, I shared some basic actual samples of our previous NASA grant writeup and a sample LOR with follow up.
This year, I plan to share even more for larger grants I got in the 5,10, and 20k ranges.
Maybe in 2014, I might be able to share on our larger foundation, legislative and federal grants that our program received from 2005-present ranging from $400k to 2 million. Those kinds of grants involve much more accountability, scope of needs, and evaluation follow up.

Our largest new grant acquisition this season is a 2 year grant for $60k to be used for registration fees and VEX/FRC parts.
I am spending what little free time I have right now on a $20k grant which is due by January 28th.
I'll probably share these specific ones since they are relatively new and would be most relevant to what we're doing today in our program, both short/long term goals.

-Glenn
waialuateam359@yahoo.com