FIRST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 1989. The organization operates as a global robotics community dedicated to advancing STEM education and preparing young people for the future. FIRST designs and delivers accessible, innovative programs that engage students from kindergarten through grade 12 in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through mentor-based robotics challenges and competitions.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$73.0M
-5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.0M
+10.7% YoY
Grant Count
482
-12.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+26.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: 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.
FIRST addresses the documented need for inspiring youth to pursue education and career fields in STEM by offering students hands-on learning opportunities. The organization believes that reaching students directly through programs early in their educational journey is key to increasing the number of young people entering science and technology careers.
Grantmaking
FIRST has awarded STEM Equity Community Innovation Grants to organizations advancing STEM education equity. The organization also administers a scholarship program making available $50 million in college scholarships to students. FIRST Robotics Competition receives grant awards from NASA.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
FIRST operates globally, with presence in 61 countries including Turkey, Brazil, Canada, Israel, and Mexico. The organization has 194 competition event locations worldwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (Fiscal Year 2025):
- Total Revenue: $84,935,359
- Total Expenses: $88,886,873
- Total Assets: $73,021,981
- Total Liabilities: $7,610,000
- Employees: 218
The organization reported conflict of interest transactions on its June 2025 tax filing.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $73,021,981 | $77,043,564 | $74,279,687 |
| Revenue | $84,935,359 | $84,820,628 | $86,981,679 |
| Expenses | $88,886,873 | $82,281,294 | $79,878,355 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,833,599 | $2,284,483 | $887,116 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from For Inspiration and Recognition of
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Christopher Moore - Secretary, CEO
- Chris Rake - COO
- Danielle Pliska - Runs the organization (referenced in organizational materials)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurie Leshin PhD | Chair | 4 | — |
| Donald E Bossi PhD | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Richard L Clemmer | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Vincent Wilczynski PhD | Treasurer | 6 | — |
| Christopher Moore | Secretary, CEO | 40 | $465,900 |
| Dean Kamen | Founder & Board Member | 12 | — |
| Ursula Burns | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Robin N Coger PhD | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Karen Horting | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Matt Rendall | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Martine Rothblatt | Board Member | 1 | — |
| James Scapa | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jayshree Seth | Board Member | 1 | — |
| David Siegel PhD | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Melissa Smith PhD | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Rajesh Subramaniam | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Robert M Tuttle | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Emily Van Dunk PhD | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Grace Jinliu Wang PhD | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dantaya Williams | Board Member | 1 | — |
| General Janet Wolfenbarger | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Christopher Rake | Executive VP & COO | 40 | $331,013 |
| Pedro L Diaz | Chief Information Officer | 40 | $253,161 |
| Mark S Giordono | VP, Development | 40 | $232,398 |
| Danielle M Pliska | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $224,025 |
| Michael C Shea | VP, Program Delivery | 40 | $211,969 |
| Amy Lynn Hunt | Chief People Officer | 40 | $202,347 |
| Ronald Falcone | Chief Sourcing Officer | 40 | $194,522 |
| Brooke Blew | VP, Marketing & Communications | 40 | $189,838 |
| Janell Nicole Catlin | VP, Social Impact & Engagement | 40 | $184,384 |
| William Potter Saxe | VP, Risk Mgmt/Gen Cnsl | 40 | $136,244 |
| Rachel Allison Moore | Senior Director, Engineering | 40 | $176,384 |
| Kim R Wierman | Senior Director, FLL | 40 | $175,879 |
| Andrea W Davis | Past Director, Global Field Ops | 40 | $171,312 |
| Vincent D Rodino | Sr Dir, School Engagement & Edu. | 40 | $163,728 |
| Collin C Fultz | Senior Director, FRC & FTC | 40 | $157,996 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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