Student Project Funding??

I am part of a group of three students that is working to do a rather ambitious science fair project. After a year and a half of painstaking research, we have completed a design and are now seeking $6,000 in funding to pay for equipment. My question to you is, how can we do this? We have been turned down a few times by companies, we need to find an option soon in order to be on schedule to get into the science fair we hope to enter.

Your suggestions are appriciated. If you are interested in seeing our design/helping us find funding, please e-mail me at pvheuer@msn.com