Vice President of Development

• Company:
  For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST)
• Location:
  
  Flexible Location, New England Preferred

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 after school 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 FIRSTCore 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.

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.

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.

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…