Laying a Foundation

[Carol]

This is a one time method, but we signed up with the local mall to get the coins from their fountains. It took over a year before we got notified that we can come pick them up - the time varies as to whenever they decide that they need to empty and clean out the fountain.

We are still cleaning all the coins (they came wet and full of debris and "gunk"), but it looks like we may get $1500 from it. the only effort was to pick up the coins, clean them, and then take them to a coin sorting machine - a free one at TD bank. We call it our Money Laundering project.

We probably won't get a chance to do this again for another couple of years, but it is a nice windfall for us.

P.S. It is interesting seeing all the unusual foreign coins that came with it, like from S. Africa - had to look that one up. And we got a lot of Chuck E. Cheese tokens too!

[EricLeifermann]

We bag groceries at the local Econo Foods. They let us come in on a Saturday and bag groceries for donations from the customers. We make around $300-$500 a time depending on how busy they are during the 6 or so hours we are there.

[Ericgehrken]

It appears that your team has no corporate sponsors. Corporate sponsors are essential to team 195. We have approximately 120 sponsors which give anywhere from $50 to $10,000. If each student and mentor gets a few sponsors then your should be in great shape. If you are interested in a booklet to present to sponsors then please PM me and I will be glad to send you one.

[Jimmy Nichols]

Something that we are doing is selling embroidered Team 1038 Spirit Wear. You can check out the order form here for an idea of we do it, its the link at the bottom of the page.

http://www.eastrobotics.com/Exponent...php?section=26

Basically we provide no money up front. A customers order the items, they pay and we send the order form to the Vendor to be made. Once he makes so many he sends us an invoice. All the money comes in to our account, before any goes out. After the cost of the item, the profit is split 50/50 with the vendor.

We are also planning a garage sale event at our school. Students/parents, mentors, etc. will donate any unwanted items. We tag and sell. Any items left we donate to goodwill or a local churches.

Both require no money up front.