Finance & Sponsorship Guide

Step 1

Understanding FRC Costs

FRC is expensive, but understanding costs helps you plan effectively. Most rookie teams need $15,000-$25,000 minimum.

Required Costs:

💰 Registration & Fees

Team Registration: $5,000 (rookie teams get $1,000 discount)
Event Registration: $5,000-$6,000 per event
Minimum 1 regional event required

🔧 Robot Parts & Materials

Kit of Parts: FREE! (annual kit from FIRST)
Additional motors: $1,000-$2,000
Aluminum, hardware, parts: $2,000-$4,000
Wheels, belts, chain: $500-$1,000

🛠️ Tools & Equipment

Basic tool set: $1,000-$3,000 (one-time)
Drill press, band saw: $1,000-$2,000
Consumables (drill bits, etc.): $300-$500/year

✈️ Travel & Logistics

Transportation: $500-$3,000 (depends on distance)
Hotels: $2,000-$5,000
Food: $1,000-$2,000
Shipping robot: $200-$500

👕 Team Items

Team shirts/uniforms: $500-$1,500
Safety glasses: $100-$200
Buttons, stickers, banners: $200-$500

💡 Budget Tip

Add 10-15% contingency for unexpected costs. Things WILL go over budget!

Step 2

Creating a Budget

Budget Planning Steps:

List All Expenses
Use spreadsheet to track every cost category from Step 1.
Prioritize Expenses
- Essential: Registration, basic parts, safety
- Important: Travel, team shirts, tools
- Nice to have: Fancy shirts, extra events, upgrades
Track Actual Spending
Update spreadsheet weekly. Know where you stand financially!
Plan for Next Year
Save receipts and records. Makes budgeting easier in Year 2!

Step 3

Sponsorship Strategy

Corporate sponsorships are the backbone of most FRC teams. Build a professional approach!

Creating Sponsorship Tiers:

🥉 Bronze Tier - $500-$999

Logo on team website
Social media recognition
Thank you letter

🥈 Silver Tier - $1,000-$2,499

All Bronze benefits
Logo on team shirts (back)
Logo on robot
Invitation to competitions

🥇 Gold Tier - $2,500-$4,999

All Silver benefits
Larger logo placement
Robot demo at company
Season recap video featuring sponsor

💎 Platinum Tier - $5,000+

All Gold benefits
Title sponsor status
Premier logo placement (front of shirt)
Customized outreach programs
Employee engagement opportunities

Sponsorship Approach:

Create Sponsorship Packet
- Team introduction & mission
- What is FIRST/FRC?
- Sponsorship tier chart
- Previous accomplishments
- Contact information
Identify Potential Sponsors
- Local engineering/tech companies
- Parents' employers
- Manufacturing companies
- Local businesses
Professional Outreach
Email first, follow up with phone call. Request 15-minute meeting to present proposal.

⚠️ Sponsorship Do's and Don'ts

DO:

Have students lead presentations
Be professional and prepared
Follow up promptly

DON'T:

Mass email without personalization
Give up after one 'no'
Forget to thank sponsors!

Step 4

Grant Applications

Grants are FREE money! Many organizations offer STEM education grants that FRC teams qualify for.

Grant Sources:

NASA FIRST Sponsorship - Up to $5,000 for new teams
Local Education Foundations - Varies by location
Corporate Foundations - Boeing, Lockheed Martin, etc.
Community Grants - Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club

Grant Writing Tips:

Read Requirements Carefully
Follow ALL instructions exactly. Missing one requirement = rejected application.
Tell Your Story
Why does your team matter? How do you impact your community?
Include Data & Metrics
- Students served
- Outreach events held
- Impact on STEM interest
Budget Justification
Explain exactly how grant money will be used. Be specific!

Step 5

Fundraising Events

Successful Fundraising Ideas:

🏫 Summer Robotics Camps

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Some teams earn 50% of budget from camps.

1-week camps for ages 8-14
Charge $200-$400 per student
Teach Lego robotics, coding, basic engineering
20 students × $300 = $6,000 profit!

🍕 Food Sales

Concessions at school events
Bake sales
Restaurant fundraising nights

🎟️ Events & Services

Car washes
Yard work services
Holiday gift wrapping
E-waste recycling collection

Step 6

Sponsor Relations & Thank Yous

Getting sponsors is only half the battle. Keeping them happy ensures multi-year support!

Sponsor Engagement:

Immediate Thank You
Send thank you letter within 1 week of receiving sponsorship. Have students sign!
Regular Updates
- Monthly email updates during build season
- Photos and videos of progress
- Competition results and highlights
Invite to Competitions
Personal invitation to see robot compete. Sponsors love seeing their investment in action!
End of Season Report
Create 1-2 page report with photos, achievements, and impact metrics.
Recognition
- Social media shout-outs
- Logo on all team materials
- Mention in presentations

🎉 Financial Sustainability

Build relationships, not just transactions. Multi-year sponsors are the key to team sustainability!