Securing Funding in FIRST Tech Challenge

Funding an FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) team is an often tedious yet worthwhile procedure in order to secure financial support and achieve goals in the robot and outreach sectors. Not only is proper funding essential for registration fees, robot parts, and travel, but also for giving back to the STEM community that fueled YOUR journey in FIRST up to this moment. 

Before diving straight into raising money for your team, you first need to understand the costs that are involved in creating and sustaining a high-achieving FTC team. After estimating your team’s annual budget, you may come to understand that key expenses of a typical FTC team include: 

• FTC registration fees ($275+)

• Robot kits and parts ($500-$3,000)

• Tools and equipment ($200+)

• Travel and competition fees ($500-$5,000 depending on location)

• Marketing and outreach materials ($100-$500)

Now that you know just how much money you may need to raise for the season, here’s a structured approach to securing financial support:

1. Seeking Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships are a major source of funding for most FTC teams, as long as you are willing to keep networking and stay in touch.

1. Identify Potential Sponsors: Look for local businesses, STEM-focused companies, and tech corporations. Oftentimes, you can even ask those close to you, such as parents or family friends to see if their company is willing to sponsor you since you have a pre-existing connection to an employee. It’s okay to be sponsored by your parents’ companies, you don’t have to make it hard on yourself.

2. Create a Sponsorship Package: Outline your team’s mission, benefits for sponsors (e.g., logo on team shirts, social media mentions, public advertising), and different funding tiers to give options to your potential sponsors and keep the process flexible. The more lenient you are with your sponsors and the more benefits you present to them, the more likely you are to attain their support.

3. Reach Out: Contact companies through email, phone, or in-person visits. Be professional and highlight how their support benefits STEM education and your mission as a FTC team, both within and outside the team. Let them know that you are interested in their work and their values, and convey how it applies over to your team and your work to build solid partnership.

4. Follow Up: Send thank-you emails and updates to maintain relationships with sponsors. This can be following a meet, tournament, community event, etc. despite whether or not you qualify for the next tournament. Win or loss, it doesn’t matter, your effort and use of the company’s money is what is important.

2. Applying for Grants

Many organizations offer generous grants for robotics teams:

1. FIRST Grants: Check FIRST’s website for available funding opportunities.

2. STEM & Education Grants: Organizations like NASA, Qualcomm, and Google offer STEM-related grants.

3. Local Community Grants: Schools, foundations, and city councils may have grants available.

Grants are a great way to receive large amounts of money by just dedicating a few minutes a day to filling out forms! Just make sure you qualify for the criteria that the grants list, and don’t waste your time filling out grants that don’t apply to your team!

3. Fundraising Activities

Engage in creative fundraising activities (in-school or outside!):

1. Crowdfunding: Platforms like GoFundMe and DonorsChoose allow supporters to contribute.

2. Community Events: Host bake sales, car washes, or fundraising nights at local restaurants.

3. Sponsorship Programs: Offer community members a chance to sponsor specific parts of the robot.

4. Merchandise Sales: Sell team-branded T-shirts, stickers, or 3D-printed keychains.

Fundraising can be a great way to work as a team for a good cause and provide others with fun or helpful services at the same time - a win-win!

By combining sponsorships, grants, and creative fundraising efforts, your FTC team can build a sustainable funding strategy to ensure long-term success!