Donate
Below you'll find a list of our current sponsors, and information on how to help out the team.
The 2017-2018 Team in front of the machine at competition.
Why Donate
Since 1998, a highly motivated group of multi-disciplinary students from the Purdue Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE) have worked together to design, build, and enter machines for annual competition, now the Purdue National Chain Reaction Competition. This competition, inspired by the drawings of cartoonist Rube Goldberg, challenges students to create machines out of everyday materials that complete a simple task in as many steps as possible. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to work creatively and cooperatively as a group to learn first-hand about the practical implementation of many concepts in physics, mechanics, hydraulics, chemistry, and electricity.
The hard work and creativity of our team has allowed us to place at National Competition many times throughout the years, most recently placing 1st in 2018 and 2019. Other notable accomplishments include breaking the Guinness Book of World Records record for longest Rube Goldberg Machine in 2012 with 244 steps, and appearing on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2005, 2006 & 2015. Additionally, our machine was featured in an episode of Modern Marvels on “The History Channel.” With the competition moved back the its original home at Purdue University in 2019, we have spent every year striving to build an innovative machine and carry on the tradition that started now over 70 years ago. Our goal for this year is to yet again build a fun, wacky and imaginative machine despite the additional challenges posed by COVID-19, and to continue to do STEM education outreach in the community.
How to Donate
We need your help to continue our operations!
Our team incurs expenses of about $2,500.00 per build season; not a trivial amount for college students. A significant amount of our funding comes from private donors, so your contribution directly impacts our ability to build a machine and interact with the community. A donation of supplies is as equally beneficial to our team as a monetary donation; Donations of lumber, power tools, electrical components, scrap metal, old appliances, spare junk in from your garage, ect. are all greatly appreciated, and you may just get to see your donation on our next machine!
Unfortunately, we do have other costs and can't survive on scrap materials alone. Please consider making a financial donation to help us keep building! Partners will be recognized at various levels, as shown below:
Personal Donation
| Donation: | Title: | Recognition: |
|---|---|---|
| $+1000 | Machine Mastermind | Listing on Website, T-shirt, and a Personal Tour of Workshop* |
| $500-$999 | Module Architect | Listing on Website, Personal Tour of Workshop* |
| $10-$499 | Step Builder | Listing on Website |
A Corporate Sponsorship is a great way to advertise your business, support our STEM outreach and help continue a Purdue Tradition. Contact us for more information!
Corporate Sponsor
| Donation: | Title: | Recognition: |
|---|---|---|
| $5000+ | Machine Mastermind | Listing on Social Media, Website, and End-of-Year Video, Group Workshop Tour*, Sponsored Step, Name on T-Shirt |
| $2500-$4999 | Module Architect | Listing on Social Media, Website, and End-of-Year Video, Group Workshop Tour*, Name on T-Shirt |
| $100-$2499 | Step Builder | Listing on Website, Social Media, and T-shirt |
***Listings and Logos on T-shirt can only be facilitated for donations up to January 1st due to the production of the shirts after that date. Recognition for sponsorship will still appear in it’s entirety on the website***
*Tours of workshop are subject to Purdue's COVID-19 regulations regarding outside visitors and may not be possible at all times.
Three Ways to Give
Thanks so much for considering donating to the team! The details of how we recieve donations have changed recently, if you have any questions at any point in the process, please contact us at pspe.chainreaction@gmail.com
Mail:
Make checks payable to Purdue Foundation
Specify: Purdue Society of Professional Engineers Chain Reaction Team
Send to:
Advancement Services, Purdue University
Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center
403 S. Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2007
Phone:
Make you gift using a credit card or debit card over the phone: 1-800-319-2199
Online
Make a gift online through our secure website using your credit cand (VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express), your debit card, PayPal, or directly from your checking account.
Go to: Donation website
Gift Information for the following sections:
Select Your Areas of Support: select 'Other'
In 'Selected Designations': type in Purdue Society of Professional Engineers Chain Reaction Team
In 'Additional Gift Information' check 'Additional Comments/Specicial Instructions': and type in Purdue Society of Professional Engineers Chain Reaction Team
Questions
Call 1-800-319-2199 or email gifts@purdue.edu