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Hello FIRST Washington Robotics Teams!

What an incredible FIRST AGE season!

As another chapter closes and we head into summer, FIRST Washington is preparing for the upcoming CANOPY season. We are also finalizing our budget for the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, and wanted to share some important updates. 

As many of you are experiencing, funding continues to be a major pressure point for programs like FIRST Robotics. Last season, FIRST Washington was able to support our community by granting nearly $1.4 million in discounts and team support funding.  

When planning last season’s budget, we were optimistic we could replenish those reserves through foundation grants, renewal of OSPI, individual donors, and increased corporate support.  To that end we set a large fundraising goal of over $1.5 million for the year.   

Unfortunately, our success in securing replacement funding fell short by around $700,000. We were unable to secure all the grants we needed, and the State Budget did not restore any funding for FIRST Washington this year.   

We have adjusted our fundraising strategy moving forward and are continuing to work as hard as we can to fill this funding gap.

At this time though, we are unable to guarantee registration discounts that teams have become accustomed to over the years. 

From now until the start of the next season, we are asking your Teams to work in direct partnership with us to ensure the FIRST Washington ecosystem of nearly 1,000 total teams have the resources and support needed for another successful season for all our FLL, FTC, and FRC programs in the Pacific Northwest. 

What we need you to do: 

1. Develop a fundraising plan for the summer and fall that includes the payment of full registration fees for the upcoming season 
2. Work in partnership with FIRST WA Development and Volunteer management staff to engage new mentors and volunteers to support your team- both with time and matching funds from their companies 

What FIRST Washington will do: 

1. Host fundraising strategy sessions and office hours for coaches, mentors, and business managers in July and August 
2. Provide clean fundraising collateral for teams to use 
3. Work directly with companies who currently provide volunteers and mentors with matching funds available to set new engagement goals – ultimately increasing the number of volunteers and mentors on each team whose participation hours are matched with cash from their employer 
4. Activate a team support funding campaign, in addition to our standard fundraising goals for operations, with a target goal of $500K to allocate out to teams on an “as needed for sustainability and stability” basis 

Every challenge is a turning point. Every turning point is an opportunity.   

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity- Albert Einstein 

Working together, we can stabilize funding for the FIRST WA ecosystem over the next two to three years- getting us all to a place where the question isn’t “how do we fund this?” but instead “what do we fund next that makes the student experience even better?” 

We know this represents a shift, and we are committed to working alongside you through it. Our focus remains the same: ensuring that every team has a path forward and that our community continues to grow and succeed. Thank you for your continued dedication, resilience, and partnership—we will navigate this next season together.

Regards, 

Fred 

Fred Krug

President

FIRST Washington

End of Season/Next Season Survey

I wanted to check in and see how everyone is feeling about next season! If you have not yet filled out the survey, please do so! 

I have heard some rumblings about FLL being ‘over,’ and ‘guess there wont be anything for K-8 students’. I wanted to clear this up!

FIRST is still having a full FLL season (both Challenge and Explore) for 26-27. FIRST is actively working on a new K-8 offering for teams for after the 26-27 season. (To read the blog post on the FIRST/LEGO partnership update, click here)

FIRST did just announce the will be supporting SPIKE (Prime and Essential) through 28-29. You can keep up to date on new info here

I unfortunately do not have more information on this new offering. When I have info to share, I will pass it on to you!

I would love it if you could fill out this short survey (you may do so anonymously if you’d like) so we know your thoughts and your plans for next season! 

Important Dates & Deadlines

More From FLL

In this weeks Blog

Next season survey

We need your videos!

Make sure you read the entire blog!

End of Season/Next Season Survey

I wanted to check in and see how everyone is feeling about next season!

I have heard some rumblings about FLL being ‘over,’ and ‘guess there wont be anything for K-8 students’. I wanted to clear this up!

FIRST is still having a full FLL season (both Challenge and Explore) for 26-27. FIRST is actively working on a new K-8 offering for teams for after the 26-27 season. (To read the blog post on the FIRST/LEGO partnership update, click here)

FIRST did just announce the will be supporting SPIKE (Prime and Essential) through 28-29. You can keep up to date on new info here

I unfortunately do not have more information on this new offering. When I have info to share, I will pass it on to you!

I would love it if you could fill out this short survey (you may do so anonymously if you’d like) so we know your thoughts and your plans for next season! 

Calling all FLL parents, coaches, and mentors!

FIRST Washington needs your help!

We’re putting together a season recap video celebrating the UNEARTHED season, and we’d love to include your footage.

If you or someone you know captured video during the season, please reach out to FIRST Washington Marketing and Communications Manager, Rylie Pope, at ryliep@firstwa.org 

Important Dates & Deadlines

More From FLL

In this weeks Blog

State Championship

Reminder of Advocacy Request

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Western WA State Championship!

This Sunday is the Western WA State Championship! Good luck to the teams participating! To see the list of teams, click here

The Champions award winner will advance to the World Festival in Houston, Texas April 29-May 2.

Good luck to the teams competing!

Reminder of Advocacy Request 

Hi FIRST Washington Community, 

This is a reminder to please take action and contact your state legislators by January 28 if you have not already done so. As shared in our previous message, this outreach should take only a few minutes and involves identifying your legislators, finding their email addresses, and sending three brief emails on behalf of your team. 

Detailed instructions and a sample email were included in the previous email from Fred Krug on January 22nd (You can also find the information on our website here: https://firstwa.org/wa-state-outreach/ ) Your outreach is critical as we work to build a strong case during the current Supplemental Legislative Session to reinstate state funding that directly supports teams across Washington. Hearing directly from students in their districts helps legislators understand the real and immediate impact of this funding on access, equity, and opportunity within our robotics community. 

Important Dates & Deadlines

• February  1st – Western WA State

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