Fundraising
From summer classes and workshops to the elite FIRST Robotics Competitions, all STEM activities require resources, and all attract and can benefit students of very modest means. It's our goal at KRA to insure that everyone who wants to play, or to travel with a team, can do that.
To this end, we pursue grants and corporate sponsorship, organize major fundraisers and direct mail solicitations, and create opportunities for students to do their own fundraising to meet their travel costs.
Grants and Corporate Sponsorship
We have received grants through several programs administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Kauai Economic Development Board, the United Way, several local Rotary Clubs, and from Matson, Newfield Exploration Company, Signature Systems, McDonald's Corporation and the Saltchuk Foundation.
We're always looking for new corporate sponsors to partner with us in providing our local keiki with enriching activities and programs. Sponsors may provide cash donations, goods or services, or their employees or owners may volunteer to serve as team mentors. All sponsors have their logos prominently featured on our robot. Current corporate sponsors include:
- Lappert's of Hawaii
- Kukui Grove Shopping Center
- Pohaku Fabrication
- KauaiLabs
- Lawai Cannery Self-Storage
- Signature Systems
- Kauai Beer Company
- Hilo Hattie's
- Sannas Consulting
- Kauai Estate Law
- STAR 94.3
- KONG Radio 93.5
Thunder Chicken Coffee (and mugs)
Thunder Chicken Coffee, a rich blend of Hawaiian and South American beans, was developed specifically for the Kaua`ibots by Lappert's of Hawaii. Beans, ground, and brewed coffee, as well as our stylish Thunder Chicken mugs, are sold and served by many sponsoring businesses here on Kaua`i, with all profits from Thunder Chicken products donated to KRA. In addition, to assist students with travel expenses for off-island competitions, KRA allows individual team members to sell 10 oz. bags of coffee, with all profits from those sales applied to the student's individual travel costs. You can buy Thunder Chicken Coffee:
- from a team member,
- at any Lappert's store on Kaua'i,
- at the Lawai Cannery or Island School,
- online at Lapperts.com, or
- by contacting KRA directly by e-mail to info@kauairoboticsalliance.org.
Student Fundraisers
Our students have raised funds for their programs through car washes, roadside clean-up efforts sponsored by Matson, sales of Krispy Kreme donuts and car wash tickets, and 'garage' sales of donated items. We are always looking for opportunities that we can offer to the students to help raise funds to support their travel and program costs.
Individual and Small Business Support
Donations from individuals and small businesses are always welcome. In past years, we have conducted several fundraising campaigns, including a "non-event event" and direct mail solicitations of local supporters, as well as accepting donations at our demonstrations and competition events.