What Does "Our Team Really Needs Funding" Mean To You?

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

I heard last year my mentor literally went up to our (now retired) principal and asked for $5000 just in case we don't get enough money to even sign up. Fortunately, he did find that much money and just handed back her the money.


I really suggested some ideas to fund raise with, but apparently my mentor really hates asking for money or even dealing with money (I totally understand him, I am like that too...) So we never get to do them. Some how he manages to get 5k and extra every year though...

added emphasis mine

Why does your team depend solely on your one mentor do get all the money? Many hands make the work light.
The generic "fundraiser" (selling overpriced candy bars, cheeses and meats) is NOT the only way to generate capital. Sponsorships are a renewable resource; perhaps the students could start a "pay to play" campaign (on our team each student must raise at least $250 to be able to travel - with 20 students, this covers our registration).
Gaining sponsorships is NOT merely walking around the mall, talking to store managers with your hand out. Invite people to your shop - start with relatives, friends, neighbors, people who have heard you talk about the team and know what it means to you personally. Invite people to a competition - most regionals provide a VIP program for current and prospective sponsors. You'll be surprised what happens with a soft sell.

Back to the topic at hand, it struck me a couple days ago that the have/have not perception is completely outside the team. Our team in 2010 was able to go to 4 FRC competitions - BMR, DC, IRI, CAGE Match. We host an offseason event. We built a t-shirt shooter for the student booster club. We participate in local VEX tournaments. To the outside eye, we'd appear to be a Have.
All that was great fun, but it really bled our coffers dry. This year we're doing one regional, without much "comfort money." Hopefully in 2-3 years we'll be back up to where we can be a 2-regional team again, and start the cycle over.
Mike Soukup posted in the Pitfall thread the dangers and difficulties 111 encounters in the build season, and how much they *inhale audibly* with their design. Flippin' WildStang. A top-5 team on anybody's list.
We all have our problems to work through. As a team grows and evolves, so do the problems. Some teams just evolve more quickly than others, or in different areas.
The Have teams - they earned it, and I applaud them.
The Have Nots - get to earning.

*I realize situations arise that are outside the teams' control that drastically affect the team. Perseverance pays.