Unique Fundraising Concepts

[Russ Beavis]

While visiting my local hardware store recently, I stumbled upon a pull-along leaf/lawn debris catcher that's intended to be dragged behind a tractor for fall clean-up. That got me thinking...

Imagine using a FIRST robot to drag that thing along and accepting donations in response... Imagine making that robot fully autonomous... Imagine adding a mowing attachment or fertilizer/spreader...

I think that there's a BIG market for such a fundraising activity. Furthermore, I'll bet that you'd learn a LOT about making autonomous, durable robots in the process.

Any other interesting fundraising concepts that maybe give you a chance to flex some robotic muscle?

Russ

[AdamC]

We're an inner-city team, so it's not easy to pull off the robot fund-raising trick, but I too have had thoughts about this. I think, especially for places that get snow (not us, it doesn't snow in New York anymore), a robot snow-blower, or plow if you want to use fewer mechanical components, would be very helpful for plowing walks or driveways. You could probably build an attachment for a previous FRC robot, and just do some light modification, and be all set to go.

I suppose if you're in an urban environment bind like us, you could probably do a robot trash pick-up based on the same device you saw earlier. We've got lots of trash all over our sidewalks, but it's hard to get permits to do that.

[synth3tk]

Wow, never even thought of that! We could really use the snow blower idea, especially since we had a couple of real bad storms last winter. We have a huge closet full of previous bot parts.

[ay2b]

Originally Posted by AdamC

I suppose if you're in an urban environment bind like us, you could probably do a robot trash pick-up based on the same device you saw earlier. We've got lots of trash all over our sidewalks, but it's hard to get permits to do that.

You need a permit to pick up trash?

[Wayne C.]

Originally Posted by ay2b

You need a permit to pick up trash?

pretty ironic huh?

I would think it would be easier to raise funds in a city- how about a team of small store window washers who do whole blocks at $10 a store donation? And leave info on their team in their wake.

There is always a way if you have the will.

[Doug G]

We just started this year recycling aluminum and plastic in the classrooms on campus. I bought some cheap plastic tote bins, hole sawed the lids, bought some cheap bags from Costco and off we go. The catch is that 24 students spend 15 - 20 minutes picking up the recycling from the rooms (~50 rooms), and then another 5-6 students spend about 30 minutes sorting it all out. We've been at this for about 8 weeks now and have made $400. We could be making more by collecting the recycling from the lunch areas, but to do this we'd need to get more expensive containers that will hold up to the weather and pilferers (folks who wander through at night). Perhaps for next year.

Not the most glamorous means of fundraising, but it will get us close to $1000 come build season.