ExxonMobil to Increase Support of U.S. Math, Science Education

[Wetzel]

Just noticed a press release by ExxonMobil. Last year, they "contributed $42 million to educational initiatives worldwide". However, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson said “As a math- and science-based company, ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting programs that focus on the improvement of teaching and learning of science and math from pre-school through higher education. Our programs range from student initiatives and teacher support to the encouragement of women and minorities. But it’s clear we must do more.”

I can't recall anyone being sponsored by ExxonMobil off the top of my head, and that press release sounds like they are looking for FIRST.

Anyone out there looking for some money?

Wetzel

[ChuckDickerson]

IIRC Teams 57 and 1255 are both sponsored by ExxonMobil.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Exxon sponsors Team 57 (formerly the Tigers, even) and a few other teams. They also give money to the Lone Star Regional, if I'm not mistaken.

Your mistake would be thinking:
A. $42 million worldwide == $42 million in the US, and
B. Exxon thinks giving a large amount of cash to support a relatively small number of students is always a great idea.

We work very hard to spend our money wisely and reach the most students that we can so Exxon will know their money is helping a many students. Don't assume they're an easy target because they're wanting to spend more on education. Anyone approaching them should be well prepared to discuss budgets and exactly how, which, and how many students. I would, in fact, suggest as formal a proposal as you can manage, every year you expect funding from them, along with a detailed report at the end of the season.

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

Exxon sponsors Team 57 (formerly the Tigers, even) and a few other teams. They also give money to the Lone Star Regional, if I'm not mistaken.

Your mistake would be thinking:
A. $42 million worldwide == $42 million in the US, and
B. Exxon thinks giving a large amount of cash to support a relatively small number of students is always a great idea.

We work very hard to spend our money wisely and reach the most students that we can so Exxon will know their money is helping a many students. Don't assume they're an easy target because they're wanting to spend more on education. Anyone approaching them should be well prepared to discuss budgets and exactly how, which, and how many students. I would, in fact, suggest as formal a proposal as you can manage, every year you expect funding from them, along with a detailed report at the end of the season.

You are quite correct. Anytime you go asking for money you should be well prepared to present what you want to do with it and be able to discuss with your prospective sponser.

That said, what struck me was the quote from the CEO "it’s clear we must do more." ExxonMobil already generously supports science and technology programs, but they want to do more. I propose that we help them figure out what more they want to do.

Wetzel

[aksimhal]

Hi,

1123 really needs some corporate sponsors. Could you please pm me with contact information.

Thank you,
Aksimhal

[Kevin Sevcik]

I'l PM you contact details of the office near you, but here's some advice:

Call the office near you and ask for community relations. You'll probably talk to them briefly, and then they'll ask you to submit a proposal. If you're serious about getting sponsorship, be very serious about the proposal, and put a good amount of pertitent team data, history, and organization in it. Make very clear what the money will be going towards and how the budget is controlled. You HAVE to be a 501c(3) organization to recieve funds. If your team isn't set up as one, your school can recieve the funds, provided your school won't then use those funds for whatever the heck they want.

Finally, you're almost certainly not going to get money soon. From what I've just been told, proposals were due around June this year. For monies to be disbursed in Fall of '07, in time for the '08 season. So you're most likely to get funds for the '09 season. Your branch should have discretionary funds that they might be able to give you for the '08 season if they like your program enough. You're not very likely to get much of anything for '07, although I highly recommend you discuss mentorship with them. Even without funding, Exxon engineering mentors can be a valuable resource.