Grants

[zrop]

I know many people might not really want to reveal this, but what kind of grants are people applying for to get all their money. Because we're a 2nd year team and we're still getting the hang of this stuff. And seeing how we're still in debt from last year, it'd be nice to get more financial aid?
What grants do you guys recommend getting?

[lynca]

We made a training presentation on Funding to help teams learn about non-profits, grants and basic fund raising.

Let us know what you think of the presentation, we will try to add more detail based on feedback.

http://2009.discobots.org/node/7

[Wayne C.]

look on www.firstrinos.org There is a grants data base with a number you can try for.

[rsisk]

We made a training presentation on Funding to help teams learn about non-profits, grants and basic fund raising.

Let us know what you think of the presentation, we will try to add more detail based on feedback.

http://2009.discobots.org/node/7

Very nice! Thanks for sharing

[niteowl22]

Although I wouldn't consider myself an expert in grants, I can tell you things I've done to help the team raise funds. First, our team does a letter writing campaign to all past sponsors in September. Letters are also made up to send to potential sponsors, and all student members are encouraged to take letters with them to give to their parents to take to their place of employment. If students hold jobs, they can take letters to their employers also. Include in this letter that if a company cannot donate funds, then perhaps they can help with some other need your team has that won't require a cash donation. We've gotten new mentors this way, we've gotten parts made, and this year we have a company who will donate powder coating.

When I first started the letter campaign four years ago, we sent letters to almost every local company requesting donations. The list has been scaled down, based on how many times we received no response. Records are now kept of every letter that goes out, with results so that we can compare year to year.

We also raise money by doing brat fries at local supermarkets, selling items throughout the year, and selling raffle tickets in conjunction with another local team.

Remember, the more the community sees you, the better.

[zrop]

Alright. Thanks for the info guys. =)

[waialua359]

Look for NCLB Title grants in your respective district/state.
There are literally millions available that Robotics would qualify for.

[amariealbrecht]

The Robettes have been writing letters to local companies and these have been sent out in a flow. The letters explain who we are and what we are about, we also include that we are all girls but do something specific that makes your team stand out! Another way to get financial grants is to google companies that fit the mold of donation giving in the spirit of FIRST...you would be surprised on how many companies you will find.
Send letters out to everyone because you never know who will give your team something!
GOOD LUCK
Alicia Albrecht
Electrical subteam
Robettes 2177

[Kims Robot]

If you look at the work the Presidents Circle teams did (usfirst.org... FRC... Team Resources... For Teams By Teams..)
http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...t.aspx?id=7024

They have a whole bunch of suggestions listed.

We also do a patron drive, which is sort of like getting grants from local companies, except that our kids go to the building of the potential sponsors and try to meet with a manager to "sell" our team and ask them to be a patron. A little more work than letter writing, possibly equal to grant writing, but its often much harder for them to say no if its face to face

[Carol]

We have had more success going through our parents. We ask the parents at the beginning of the year if they can put us in touch with their employers, especially if they work for a large corporation. Some corporations have volunteer grants where they contribute to places where their employees volunteer. We can always find ways for the parents to volunteer for us in order to get this money.