$100 to $499
Funds a portion of a single scholarship: shipping, a component upgrade, or a session of mentorship infrastructure. Recognition on the Donors page if desired.
Support the Initiative
Concrete dollars, concrete students.
The Initiative is funded entirely by private contributions and in-kind partnerships. Every dollar reaches a scholar in a form they can use: hardware, shipping, mentorship infrastructure, or programmatic operations.
A note on tax status
The Finley Robotics Initiative is in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) public charity status with the IRS. Until that status is granted, contributions to the Initiative are not tax-deductible. We say this on the front of the page because we want every donor to make an informed decision, and because we do not benefit from being unclear.
Once 501(c)(3) status is confirmed, this page and all donor receipts will be updated accordingly. Prior donors will be notified.
Levels of support.
$500 to $1,999
Substantial contribution toward a single scholar's full program year. Named recognition in the cohort year announcement.
$2,000 and above
Underwrites a named scholarship slot for the cohort. Named acknowledgment in scholar communications and on the year's Showcase. Optional invitation to the year-end review.
The unit economics, for transparency: hardware plus shipping plus a year of mentorship infrastructure for one scholar runs approximately $1,500 to $2,500 depending on configuration. Cohort-level support directly maps to scholar slots.
The current giving methods.
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By bank transfer or check
The most common method for sponsorship-tier contributions. Wire instructions and the mailing address are sent on request through the contact page.
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By card, online
An online giving link will be activated alongside the 501(c)(3) confirmation, at which point receipts will be issued automatically and contributions will be tax-deductible. Until then, we are recommending direct methods over card payments to avoid third-party fees on small donations.
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In-kind support
Engineering time, mentorship hours, hardware donations, or services that reduce program operating cost are equally welcome. If you are an engineer who wants to mentor a scholar, write to us.
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School and institutional partnerships
If you represent a school, district, library, museum, or community organization that serves students who would benefit from the Initiative, we want to talk. Partnerships range from referral relationships to formal collaboration on the application process.
Founding Cohort
Support during the first cycle has outsized effect.
Contributions in 2026 underwrite the inaugural cohort and establish the operational baseline for every cohort that follows. Early support is recognized as such in program materials.
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