This past weekend my team was excited and surprised when we were awarded the Engineering Inspiration Award at the Colorado Regional. After the shock had worn off, we began to realize that we were now eligible for Nationals, and we also began to realize that we have very little money left for another trip, one that we had not really thought we would be taking. It seems that with the new qualification system this year, this is probably something many teams are experiencing, and rather than taking loads of money from all the students, it would be nice if we could try to raise some money before we go to Atlanta. Since fundraising is something we have historically been able to plan months in advance, we’re in a real crunch for ideas for some “fast cash.” If anyone has good ideas for how we can raise some money in the next two weeks, it would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
We had the same dilemma win we won at LSR last year. Except even less time. We got back from the regional on Sunday and had to be back on the bus to championship on Tuesday night.
The best way is asking for donations from people. Way better than a car wash or bake sell. In those two days we had we reapproached businesses in our town, Kansas City, and people with money. We were able to raise 12,000 dollars in two days. I know it helped that we won a regional and a three other awards and it was our first year, but I’m sure you could make money this way if you let the businesses know your situation. And make sure you send a thank you note.
We won MWR on Saturday, March 27th, by Monday, March 29th we had $9000. We raised $14000 total in a week, It was amazing. It was all begging and pleading, we got money from compaines and community members. Just awesome.
We also called our sponsors back and told them the situation…suffice it to say we already have the registration fee covered and our travel plans are being finished as we speak…
oh we also got a hold of the media so far we have been on TV once, and have had 2 newspaper articles done on us…it always helps to get the media exposure (especially us being in Tampa, it is a huge city and mass comm is a much more effecient way of communicating)
By 1 week after we won the UTC tournament we had managed to make enough to send 26 members of our team to nationals (basically all the team, engineers, and coach). Companies can be very generous at times!
the difficult question is, where is your bot?
if you took it home or had it shipped home, you cant compete in the championship - you must decide at your last regional to send the bot to Atlanta, or to take it home
if you took it home, you are done for the year
you could still goto the championship, but you cant compete
I like the whole going back to sponsors idea…if only we had sponsors. (we did get a good 4000 from our school district though. yay!)
all i am going to say is not true… thats all
Wow what a great post, in most cases it would be true, unless you make special arrangements with FIRST.
After we won Midwest I ran to our crate and ripped the labels off that had it going to Oconomowoc HS and put on the championship ones that I had brought just in case, I’m glad it worked out.
well sure you can always call FIRST and ask for an exemption to the rules - FIRST can provide ‘divine intervention’ for anything
but according to the rules, if you take your bot home you are done - if thats what you’ve done you cant simply ship it to atlanta
FIRST can always make exceptions - that is a given.
I have to say right off the bat, that one of the best fund raising tools is either 1: A FIRST medal, or 2: a FIRST trophy. If you go to a business in your town with either of these, it shows them that it is a safe investment. If you don’t have access to either of those, try to go to the media. Local newspapers or television shows love to do stories on “hometown” organizations. If none of the above work, try going to the town. If you show the town council how much work that you’ve already put into your project, and make a good enough presentation they usually are willing to give you some money. (Especially if it’s an election year 
)
Hit up your local Jaycees, Kiwanis, Rotary Club. Ask all parents/mentors for who they work for, or are associated with . We had a mentor who’s church donated $237 last year.