searching for sponsors

[petek]

The businesses that your team parents work for may be good prospects for sponsorship, but take it one step further: look at the companies they do business with, too. Science and technology related businesses are natural targets, but don't limit yourself.

The team parents need to help get you the contacts. Once you've got someone to talk to, you need to explain what FIRST is about and what the students on your team are learning from participation. Prepare a budget for the team for the year to show where the money will go.

As RoboMom mentioned, professional organizations are easy to approach for sponsorship, but think outside the engineering box. Team 103 has established a very good relationship with the Society for Biomolecular Screening, whose membership is mainly biologists and biochemists (who use laboratory automation every day).

[n0cturnalxb]

Everyone --

Rest assured, I read over every single reply and you've all been VERY very helpful Anyone else, feel free to reply with any other suggestions you have - the more, the merrier! (We need all the help we can get!!)

You've all been so, so nice. Thank you so much!

All of you will (probably) be seeing a lot more of me in the coming year(s).. so be prepared! That is, if we get all the money we need.. *crosses fingers*

I'm hyped and it's not even close to January yet!!

Anyway.. THANKS AGAIN for all your help! It's greatly appreciated

[Kid Cummings]

Again, another non-robotic area are Politicians. I was told that they also have funds that they can give out.
They might not have a lot (or they could) to give but every little bit will help.

If you plan to send out any letters requesting sponsorship remember; 1. Give them a deadline. 2. Followup with a phone call if you don't hear from them. 3. Let them know they can also contribute certain items that could help your team (i.e. tools and materials) 4. If you go after sponsors that are in the area of food they can help by feeding your team.

Even if you are out somewhere and you spot a potential sponsor ask them. Cold contact isn't always the best but it can never hurt. Just make sure you can answer any question they might come up with.

Hope this helps.

[Rich Kressly]

Don't forget about small/medium sized donations as well. They really add up. I think playing to the all girls theme is a great idea too. Send all team members/parents out with a flyer. Team 103 does a great job with this form/flyer:
http://www.cybersonics.org/cybersonics/contribute.asp

Good Luck

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Kid Cummings

Again, another non-robotic area are Politicians. I was told that they also have funds that they can give out.
They might not have a lot (or they could) to give but every little bit will help.

I forgot about this one. Good idea. Last year Team 007 got donations from our local councilman and 2 donations from local community organizations. One donation was only $10 but the others were much larger. They even asked for team tshirts.

[DCA Fan]

Try local businesspeople, real estate does a good job. Be sure to offer "perks" like their name on the team shirt or stuff like that. If you need some help, feel free to stop by our place, we're quite close to you (Redondo Beach).

[JohnBoucher]

You don't mention if you are you a 501(c)3? It really helps when asking for donations.

[n0cturnalxb]

Hey everyone -- again, thanks for helping out I'm checking this thread on a periodic basis because (like I mentioned earlier) every little tip helps.. so thank you all for continuing to provide input!

Anyway..

Originally Posted by JohnBoucher

You don't mention if you are you a 501(c)3? It really helps when asking for donations.

What do you mean by 501(c)3? (I have no idea what it refers to.. but I bet I'll feel incredibly stupid once someone explains! Oh well, it's good to learn )

[DCA Fan]

Non-Profit Organization I believe. It means that donations can be tax-deductible.

[n0cturnalxb]

Ahhh, I see.. I'll have to ask the Person In Charge (tm) about that. We should be able to be counted as one, right?

[JohnBoucher]

Here is a good thread from CD about tax exempt status

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ght=non-profit

Also this is the website for the IRS that covers 501(c)(3)
http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/

IANAL ( I am not a lawyer) so this is just my $0.02 worth.
Reach out to your community and find an accountant that will let you ask some basic questions. Explain what your needs are and see what they has to say. Their time helping you become a 501(c)3 is deductible for them also. It's a win-win.

[n0cturnalxb]

All right - thank you SO much for the help

We're having our next meeting as a group on the following Tuesday.. I'll talk to her about all of this.

Again, a big, big thanks to all of you!!


(PS - as always, if anyone else has anything to add, feel free!)