In this conversation, Patrick Kirby, the founder of Do GoodBetter, shares valuable insights on effective fundraising strategies for robotics teams. He emphasizes the importance of standing out to potential sponsors, engaging team members in the fundraising process, and buildingmeaningful partnerships with local businesses. The discussion also covers navigating grants, understanding the difference between grants and sponsorships, and crafting compelling asks. Patrick highlights the significanceof storytelling, targeting the right audience, and maintaining relationships with sponsors to ensure ongoing support. The conversation concludes with practical fundraising techniques and the power of one-on-one asks.

Takeaways

• Ask potential sponsors about their best sponsorshipexperiences.
• Engage team members, especially students, in fundraising efforts.
• Focus on building partnerships rather than just seekingmoney.
• Local businesses are often more accessible for sponsorships than large corporations.
• Less than 10% of all giving comes from corporate sources; focus on individuals.
• Chasing grants can be time-consuming; prioritize personal connections.
• Craft your ask to be about reaching a goal, not just asking for money.

• People are more likely to give when they feel a personal connection.

• Maintain relationships with sponsors through regular updates and gratitude.
• Involve students in fundraising conversations to make them more relatable.

Helpful Links:

• Do Good Better: https://www.dogoodbetterconsulting.com/
• More about FIRST Robotics Competition in Louisiana and Mississippi: www.frcla-ms.org
• More about FIRST: www.firstinspires.org
• Fundraise Like a 5th Grader on Amazon https://a.co/d/6kdckwy