About FIRST
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured afterschool programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.
The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
An international not-for-profit organization (501(c)(3)) founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Alumni of FIRST programs gain access to exclusive scholarships, internships, and other opportunities that create connections and open pathways to a wide variety of careers.
FIRST Core Values
The FIRST Core Values emphasize friendly sportsmanship, respect for the contributions of others, teamwork, learning, and community involvement and are part of our commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of unity and STEM for Everyone™. The FIRST Community expresses the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® through our Core Values:
- Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
- Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
- Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
- Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
- Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
- Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!
Learn more about FIRST at https://www.firstinspires.org/.
The Opportunity
FIRST seeks a Vice President of Development to lead its global fundraising efforts, helping expand its reach and strengthening its long-term sustainability. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Development leads the organization’s revenue generation strategy and execution across corporate, government, foundation, and individual giving.
With a strong and experienced fundraising team in place, long-standing corporate partners, and deep credibility within the engineering and technology sectors, the Vice President of Development will inherit a platform that is already working—and be empowered to evolve it. The scale, visibility, and national footprint of FIRST provides access to senior decision-makers across industry, government, and philanthropy, creating an environment where strategic relationships can translate into meaningful, sustained impact.
This role offers the chance to balance hands-on fundraising with strategic leadership, to influence revenue across a complex national system, and to help shape how FIRST continues to grow and innovate. Ultimately, success will be reflected not only in dollars raised, but in stronger partnerships, a more resilient funding model, and a development function positioned to support FIRST’s global impact for years to come. This role is an exceptional opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people while operating at the highest levels of nonprofit and corporate partnership work.
Responsibilities
Revenue Development
Responsible for raising $30 million plus annually, 90% of which comes currently from corporations. Develop and implement a fundraising plan for each channel to achieve both short-term and long-term revenue goals. Develop annual fundraising budgets and provide analysis and reporting on the overall performance of fundraising activities against goals and the strategic plan. Design and pursue growth strategies for existing fundraising channels and identify new opportunities to expand organizational funding and design and implement fundraising strategies and systems to support those goals.
Donor Relations and Cultivation
Create, implement, manage, and assess a comprehensive donor relations plan to support FIRST fundraising efforts including responding to donor concerns and/or requests, gift acknowledgements, program information, and stewardship.
Foster a positive, ongoing relationship with donors and ensure a long-term relationship is forged by maintaining contact and proactively educating donors on the outcomes and results of FIRST efforts. Design and implement growth and retention strategies with existing donors and opportunities to forge new donor relationships.
Leadership and Team Development
Serve as a key leadership team member and active participant in strategic decision making for the organization. Manage and nurture the staff, including hiring, training, and evaluating performance. Contributes to continued growth of organization through team development, participation in senior leadership team discussions and Board of Directors decisions.
Field Support
Provide resources, coaching, and guidance to local FIRST Program Delivery Partners (PDPs) to help them achieve their revenue goals. Share best practices, fundraising strategies, and other support with partners in the field.
Alliance Partnerships
Oversee a comprehensive partnership strategy that supports the organization's strategic goals and objectives, including identifying and cultivating relationships with potential non-profit partners, including global organizations, service organizations, professional societies, and other like-minded organizations. Prepare and submit proposals to potential partners, clearly articulating the organization's mission, goals, and the benefits of partnering. Ensure that both parties meet their obligations and maximize the value of the relationship. Track and report on partnership activities and results to the CEO and Board of Directors.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Passion for the Mission of FIRST
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a genuine commitment to the FIRST mission and values, using that passion to craft compelling fundraising narratives and build authentic, trust-based relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders. They are motivated by the opportunity to advance STEM education at scale and to connect supporters meaningfully to the organization’s impact.
Strategic Leadership
This executive will bring a proven track record of designing and executing comprehensive, multi-channel fundraising strategies across corporate, government, foundation, and individual giving. Strong analytical capabilities underpin their work, including experience managing pipelines, evaluating performance, and translating organizational priorities into clear, actionable revenue goals that deliver measurable results. The Vice President of Development is an experienced people leader who builds, leads, and retains high-performing fundraising teams while holding them accountable for results. Balancing a people-centered leadership approach with decisiveness and performance expectations, they bring strong operational and financial acumen to ensure the development function is both effective and sustainable.
Fundraising & Development Expertise
The Vice President of Development has deep experience leading and growing corporate fundraising programs at all levels and knowledge of other fundraising channels. They bring a strong stewardship orientation, ensuring excellence in donor reporting, compliance, acknowledgements, and relationship continuity, so funders feel valued, informed, and motivated to renew and expand their support.
Partnership Development
This role requires extensive experience cultivating and stewarding complex, long-term corporate, government, and foundation partnerships, including six- and seven-figure commitments. The successful candidate understands how philanthropy aligns with business objectives, CSR priorities, workforce development goals, and STEM education initiatives. They are adept at developing customized partnership strategies, leading proposal development, negotiating renewals, and delivering high-quality reporting that sustains funder confidence and loyalty.
Relationship Building & Collaboration
A highly credible and externally focused fundraiser, the Vice President of Development leads from the front, personally managing a portfolio of major relationships while proactively generating new opportunities. They are comfortable representing the organization with senior executives, government leaders, and philanthropic decision-makers, and they collaborate effectively with regional affiliates, peers, and Board members to scale relationships across a national or global network.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred; significant senior-level experience leading complex, multi-channel development organizations is required. An equivalent combination of education and senior-level fundraising experience will be considered.
What Success Looks Like
In the first 18 months, the Vice President of Development will be expected to deliver both immediate results and lasting organizational strength. They will establish a close, highly effective partnership with the CEO, CFO and Board, serving as a strategic thought partner on revenue, relationships, and long-term sustainability. Together, they will refine and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned to FIRST’s strategic plan and growth ambitions.
By the end of the first year, the Vice President will have:
- Stabilized and advanced the existing $30M+ annual revenue base while strengthening diversification across corporate, foundation, government, and individual giving.
- Assumed direct leadership of key executive-level relationships, supporting renewals and expansions of several six- and seven-figure partnerships.
- Built a clear, disciplined revenue forecasting and pipeline management process integrated with finance and executive leadership.
- Evaluated and strengthened the development organization’s structure, talent, and performance culture, ensuring the team is aligned, motivated, and accountable.
By 18 months, success will include:
- Demonstrated growth in both total revenue and the depth and durability of FIRST’s donor and partner portfolio.
- Expanded engagement of the Board in strategic relationship development and major gift cultivation.
- A modernized, high-functioning development operation with strong systems, data, and reporting that support scalable growth.
- Increased confidence among partners, funders, and internal stakeholders in FIRST’s long-term fundraising capacity and leadership.
- Ultimately, success will be reflected not only in dollars raised, but in stronger partnerships, a more resilient funding model, and a development function positioned to support FIRST’s global impact for years to come.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $162,000 - $200,000 with a generous benefits package. The exact salary that will be offered to the Vice President, Development will be determined based on a consideration of the successful candidate’s skills and experience and aligned with FIRST’s compensation policies.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is led by Erin Reedy and Christy Farrell. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, age, religion/creed, and military/veteran status in its programs and activities.