FIRST has $8 Million?!? What did I miss?

[Danny Diaz]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

If this were to be pursued, it could have an educational aspect attached to it. How does the non-profit work and what has to be in place for that to work? How does the reserve work? What impact does the budget, the amount in reserve have on soliciting/keeping sponsorships, vendors, venues, political support, global support/recognition? An overview/big picture and some details involved in the business aspect/funding.

That would be cool. The business plan/package is a large part of every team, every event and regional planning committee, and FIRST.

If they were to share some of their thoughts and expertise with the FIRST community, it would be beneficial and clear away myth and misperceptions.

Wow, what a GREAT idea! FIRST has a couple years' experience as a 501(c)3 (intentional understatement), it would be beneficial to teams for FIRST to explain what it means to be a 501(c)3, how it handles its fundraising, how it handles its growth, and so on. Almost a Chairman's Award presentation by FIRST for the teams...

Of course, I think it would be awesome for FIRST to release a "State of the Union" - to make public what it's doing with respect to future growth (new tournaments/events), future technologies, sustaining, and others. If they didn't have 501(c)3 status, they could be a publicly traded company, and then we could buy stock and get investor updates/information!

-Danny