Fundraising Foundations for FIRST Teams

Business & Marketing
Launching and sustaining a FIRST robotics team takes more than just passion - it requires a solid financial foundation. This session is designed for new and growing teams who want to build sustainable fundraising practices. We’ll cover the most common types of fundraising in FIRST (sponsorships, grants, events, and digital campaigns), strategies for keeping strong records and alumni connections, and how to structure a fundraising calendar that supports an entire season.

Attendees will also participate in a group idea share, leaving with a crowd-sourced list of proven fundraising strategies they can adapt for their own teams. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your approach, this session will give you practical tools to help your team thrive.
This session is also being broadcast to 2025 FIRST Forums @ Purdue Indianapolis!

Presenters

Mady Stricker

An alumni of FRC 1501, mentor of teams 3494 and 10332, and co-founder of Indiana Scouting Alliance and Indiana MentorBridge, Mady has a strong focus on encouraging collaboration and ensuring teams have the resources they need to succeed.