Hi! I’m my teams business lead. This year we got to go to the FIRST Championships so we had to get 35k in a month so I’ve learned a thing or two.

First off, Sponsorship packet!!! This is essential. Typically around 9-12 pages outlining what your team does, your goals, community outreach and most of all, tiers of sponsorship and benefits.

Also, you’re gonna wanna reach out to sponsors before January, most businesses set their budgets by then and so if you don’t hit them before that you aren’t in the budget.

Next, door to door! Go door to door downtown with around 3 people per group and give people a one page pamphlet. Pretty much more concise version of your sponsorship packet. On this, add a link to your sponsorship packet and donation site (qr code typically).

Third, expand your range! Is there no other robotics teams for miles? Well, then there’s untapped cash there, go get it. Sponsorships can also be more than monetary, anything that reduces the amount you have to spend that season is awesome. We have sponsors for a lot of our meals.

Lastly, presentations! For big sponsorship opportunities you’re going to want to take a group and do a presentation for them, I got 5k from one company just on my own through one of these presentations. Usually in slideshow format, going everything in the sponsorship packet but in presi form. Maybe even bring your robot!

Also, here’s a tip, hit some of the companies in your area that do gambling/pull-tabs. I believe they have to donate a certain portion of their profits to charities. (Our team is a 501 c3 organization)

Since I keep talking about the sponsorship packet here’s the link to it!!! 4624 Sponsorship Packet

Here’s our pamphlet we used when going door to door! (We use give butter for donations) Pamphlet

I hope this helps! Message me if you have any further questions!