Fundraising
Robotics is known for teaching students engineering, science, and technology, but there are many more skills one can gain from robotics. When students in robotics are tasked with handling funds, they are also given an opportunity to gain experience in entrepreneurship and be creative to get fundraising for their expenses. Some of these expenses include supplies, robot building, competition fees, and travel costs. In robotics, fundraising can be just as fun of a challenge as building a robot!
Car Wash
The team hosts a Car Wash twice a year, once in the fall and the other in the spring. Here team members wash cars and also accept contributions from passersby and friends who show up to support the team.
hosting events
Chop Shop hosts three events annually: Mayhem in Merrimack, FIRST TECH Qualifier, and a FIRST LEGO League State Qualifier.
The Mayhem in Merrimack is an off-season FRC event and is a big fundraiser for us. As the host, team pay to come and compete in our gymnasium. We collect the fees and try to get sponsors for the event. We also host a concession stand. On average, Mayhem in Merrimack brings in about $5,000 for the team after we cover our expenses.
We host the FIRST TECH Challenge Qualifier and the FIRST LEGO League State Qualifier at Merrimack High School in the fall. These are official FIRST Events, so we do not collect much as the host, but we do raise funds through our concession stand.
restaurant fundraisers
Each year we partner with a local restaurant to work with. On this night, we get a percentage of their profits. This works either by customers using a promotional code at checkout or just going out and having a nice meal. Each time we have done this, we have raised around $500.
2023: Thirsty Moose, Merrimack, NH
2022: Chipotle, Nashua, NH
2021: Panera, Nashua, NH
2019: Panera, Nashua, NH
Calendar raffle
Since 2017, Chop Shop has hosted the February Calendar Raffle. Every day of the month is sponsored by different local businesses where residents purchase tickets, have tickets drawn and can receive the prize(s) for the day. This fundraiser brings together 30+ local businesses, Merrimack residents, and Chop Shop to raise $3,000-$5,000 each year.
