Introduction

When your team forms, your local sponsoring organization (e.g. school) will inform you of the expenses for which teams are responsible, and of the details about how teams are funded in your organization.  You should contact your sponsoring organization’s coordinator or your Regional Director for more information.

In addition to this, however, many Team Managers and parents have requested a breakdown of the typical budgeting for teams, and we provide an example here.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

This expense breakdown is provided solely as a rough guide! All dollar amounts are estimates based upon prior years. Some expenses and fundraising responsibilities may be absorbed in part or in full by the local sponsoring organization (e.g. school), or may be presented to you differently by said organization. In all cases any information which you receive from DI Inc. and from your sponsoring organization should be treated as superseding the information contained herein.

Expenses

Here is a table of typical expenses for participating teams:

Which Teams Fee Amount Description
All teams Regis­tration fees Inter­national Mem­bership $110 per team Covers the cost of the challenge, Program Materials, and registration with Destination Imagination Inc.
Background Check $40 All Team Managers must pass a background check. This is required as a term of NYDI and DI Inc.’s insurance coverage.
Affiliate $325 per competitive team Supports the operations of NYDI, training for Team Managers and Appraisers, our Regional Tournaments, and the NY Affiliate Finals Tournament.
$90 per Rising Stars! (K-2) team
I/C Fiesta $15-$25 per team Teams are invited to attend an Instant Challenge Fiesta, where they can learn I/C skills in a fun, non-competitive environment.
Spon­soring organ­ization Varies  Fees assessed by the your local sponsoring organization (e.g. school) – may include cost of team T-shirts, etc.
Team expenses The Solution $175 (approx.)
Varies by challenge 
Each challenge has a maximum cost allowed for the materials which are used in the performance itself.  The exact amount varies depending upon the Challenge.
Other costs Varies by team  Materials used by the team but which are not used in performance, trans­por­tation, etc.
Teams that advance to NY Affiliate Finals Travel costs Trans­por­tation Varies

Depending upon the team’s home location, and the location of the tournament, there may be costs for transportation to the tournament, and in some cases for overnight lodging. Some teams’ sponsoring organizations arrange travel on their behalf; in other cases, it may be parents who assume this responsibility.

Lodging
Teams that advance to Global Finals NYDI Champ Pack $35 per team member (approx.)
Varies annually
Includes a NY DI T-shirt and one set of trading pins. Required for each team member.
Travel to Global Finals (Kansas City, Missouri) Varies Some sponsoring organizations arrange transportation (e.g. by air or chartered bus); or teams may travel independently, with parents arranging travel.
Registration $5,500 per team Includes unlimited passes for Team performance venues, and 10 passes for the Welcome Ceremony and Closing Celebration.
Lodging $137-$170 ($154 average)
per room / per night
Teams will be able to book their hotel options according to their individual needs, budget, and preferences. Most rooms officially sleep four, but teams may be able to squeeze in more attendees per room using roll-a-beds or air mattresses, to save expense.
Food $35-$40 per person / per day There will be multiple options for dining, some provided by catering services at the Global Finals venue, in some cases combined with breakfast provided at the team hotel.

Sources of funding

Given the costs involved, fundraising is necessary in order for most teams to participate.  Here are some of the potential sources of funds:

  • Support from the sponsoring organization (e.g. school district):
    • Some sponsoring organizations directly contribute funds
    • Bus transportation to tournaments may be provided gratis, or at reduced cost
    • Space may be made available at no cost for teams to use
  • Teams may collect dues from their members to fund their solution
  • Individual teams may fund-raise to get the money needed 
  • A booster club or parents organization may do fundraising through the year to support local teams
  • All teams from a sponsoring organization may band together to do fundraising to support those teams which advance to state and global finals.
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