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Miss Minifig's Advice Column

Elizabeth Asks: How do you find sponsors?

This is my first year coaching FLL and my second coaching JrFLL. Last year the parents carried the bulk of the costs which is very difficult especially in today's economy. Being that our team is small and we are all homeschoolers I wasn't sure who I could approach for sponsorship. I noticed your team seems to have a lot of sponsors. How did you approach them? Any support or guidance you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Elizabeth, FLL/JrFLL Mentor

Miss Minifig Answers:

Elizabeth,

This is a challenge for every team. Don't get discouraged. Start by familiarizing yourself with the overall programs of US FIRST and its benefits. I suggest you read the the most recent annual report available from the US FIRST website and other materials in the communications center.

• US FIRST 2008 Annual Report 

Then create some documents similar to these:

• TechBrickSupport2008A-Intro.pdf
• TechBrickSupport2008B-WhatIsTechBrick.pdf
• TechBrickSupport2008D-SupportForm.pdf

Next, make a list of every company you've done business with, every service you use regularly (dry cleaners, dentists, doctors, auto repair, etc). Anyone with whom you have a personal relationship. Ask all the parents to do the same.  Ask them for small donations.

Now, the hard part: Going for the bigger donations. Make a list of the local companies and organizations that may be interested. Call them and ask them if you can bring your team in to make a presentation.

See these links for examples:

• TechBrick Teams at Survice Engineering
• TechBrick at Project LEAP at a local library

Note that local public colleges rarely have funds, but corporations do.

Also, check out the cool Interstate Batteries fundraiser.

Remember, you have to ask.

// Miss Minifig