12k in 3 weeks?

[Sumathi]

So our team qualified for nationals recently. Does anyone have an idea how our team should go about raising about $12,000? We plan on trying corporate sponsors again. We would like to know what we should emphasize when asking for their donations. In general we want to know how people are sucessful in raising money for their teams.

[ayeckley]

My only recommendations are to a) put together an itemized budget (it sounds like you may already have one) to show to everyone you make a request of b) don't be shy about asking for large donations and c) be sure to speak with your FIRST Regional Coordinator. They can sometimes point you in helpful directions. Whatever you do, don't give up.

[NOV8R]

Don't forget about help from other teams. After winning Chairman's at Colorado yesterday many teams came to us and offered us monetary help in getting to Atlanta. One team even offered to put on a fund raising event for us. Now that's gracious professionalism.

[efoote868]

Also, remember it is the International competition in Atlanta... not sure how many countries will be represented, but they will be there.

International sounds better than national

[RoboMom]

Lots of great ideas in the sticky in the Fundraising thread.
(May be my first post EVER in the Technical thread.)

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Sumathi

So our team qualified for nationals recently. Does anyone have an idea how our team should go about raising about $12,000? We plan on trying corporate sponsors again. We would like to know what we should emphasize when asking for their donations. In general we want to know how people are sucessful in raising money for their teams.

Congratulations on making a rather dramatic turnaround after Kansas City. I didn't see it coming and you guys were awesome at both events.

You'll have a lot easier time getting sponsors if you bring your big shiny Winner and Finalist trophies with you. Corporations love winning more than they probably should, so showing off the bling should help a lot.

Another thing to note: Maybe you don't need $12,000. Can your teammates pay their own way to the Championship and pay for their own hotel rooms? Then you'll only need $6000 or so.

[Sumathi]

To everyone thank you for the advice, I will be sure to talk to my group about organizing this.

@efoote: Hehe thanks for the correction, you are not the only one who has said that to me today.

[Tarzan19]

Hey 2410, congrats on your win in the oklahoma regional. You all were a formidible opponent in the KC regional and really had a great robot. You situation sounds like ours right after KC. Dont worry about raising the money. If i have one thing this year, (and trust me, i know i have learned alot more than just one thing) it is that communities love to support a intellectually based group. Just ask around to local groups like rotary, optimist, lions and knights of columbus if your town has any. They will be more than likely to be happy to give you all money. One suggestion, our team held a spagetti dinner at our high school, and local businesses donated supplies to run it. We got almost 2000 dollars in one night just from students and people from our small town. Also, prepare a presentation on how well your team did at your regional, and make sure to mention how big of an accomplishment this is. Again, good luck, and team 2345 looks forward to seeing 2410 in atlanta.

[Jon Stratis]

Definitely hit up your corporate sponsors again. Having the students help pay for it can also help a lot - for example, the students may have to pay for their plane tickets for the trip (I know back in high school i took a big trip similar to this with a school group and it cost a fair amount to go - nothing is free).

While it's too late now to help much, it's a great idea to be thinking about this before you win. Setting some aside early on can really help, and talking about the possibility with your sponsors can help you know where you stand - many companies will give you $X now, and promise another $X if you make it to nationals.

[JudyVandy]

I'll third or fourth the idea of checking in with corporate sponsors: they may like the idea of backing a proven winner.

Don't forget your community supporters. We did what we call 'tag days' in our area. Make up tags with your team's logo and solicit donations at area stores, after securing the businesses' permission, of course. Many grocery chains and even Walmart will allow you to do this.

Let your community know what you're trying to do and why through stories in your local newspapers. Let the public know where they can send contributions. You may be very surprised by the public response!

[ICntIHaveRbtics]

Definitely go back around and contact all those sponsors that decided not to sponsor you the first time around. Like it was said, they may want to now back a proven winner. And as it was also said already, go back and ask your current sponsors if they could squeeze a little more money out for you.

When my team won GSR, I made sure to tell JCPenney, one of our very good sponsors that we were qualified for the Championship and that we had a narrow window of time to fundraise money. They came back the next day (not more than 48 hours after winning GSR) and paid for the entire registration fee.

Also contact newspapers and do followup articles about the need for funding and the time crunch. You'd be surprised who comes out of the woodwork. Have a paypal account set up on your website where people can go and give donations. Contact local restaraunts (papa gino's and applebees) about doing fundraising nights.

Or block out a saturday, get a truck to put an old robot in, and get a map of your town. Go around door to door, and you'd be surprised how much money you can get. Especially when you're dressed in your team shirts, have a robot out on the side of the road in the truck visible to see, and have a mentor with you --- last weekend we raised $700 for 3-4 hours of work!