Sustainability In FRC Teams

[Brandon Holley]

A few years ago our team helped to secure a $300,000 grant to help start the Boston regional and create many FRC teams in the Greater Boston area.

The grants given to teams were to last for 3 years, at which point the teams were expected to have grown to a sustainable level with their own sponsorship. Many many teams fell apart as soon as the grant went away.

Still, many teams that have held on have a tough time getting through build season. Our team has helped any team that has come to us in need. This includes purchasing many components/material for teams that have come by, in addition to utilizing our machining, fundraising and mentoring resources. Typically by the end of build season we are sharing our lab with at least 5 other teams and traveling to/corresponding with dozens more.

It certainly puts a drain on our team, but we need to work with these teams like this to keep them going. BostonFIRST started a regional mentoring program a few years ago to help combat some of the issues I've discussed. Essentially it's a collection of mentors from the Boston area which has been assembled to support struggling teams that attend the Boston regional. The program has certainly helped, but I really think the big initiative needs to come from Manchester to have a truly lasting effect.

-Brando