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Fund the First isn't accepting new investments

Fund the First’s deadline was September 1, 2021

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Fund the First

Trusted crowdfunding for those who serve
B2C Fundraising
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$117,997
Raised
123
Investors
Successfully funded and closed on September 1, 2021.
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Open for investment

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Closed on September 1, 2021. Information may not be up-to-date. Campaign closed on September 1, 2021. Information displayed may not be up-to-date.
Problem Solution Product Traction Customers Biz. model Market Competition Vision and strategy Funding Founders
About Team Press

Documents

Republic (OpenDeal Portal LLC, CRD #283874) is hosting this Reg CF securities offering by FT1 Inc.. View the official SEC filing and all updates:
Official SEC Logo Form C SEC.gov
Company documents
Fund the First Crowd SAFE Fund the First Form C:A.pdf Fund the First Form C.pdf
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Hear from some of the 123 investors in Fund the First


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Highlights


  • Donation based crowdfunding platform supporting our nation’s heroes
  • Since July 2020 launch, over 155 fundraising campaigns totaling $1M+
  • Partnership with ID.me to ensure a trusted experience
  • Market currently worth $5.5B and is expected to triple by 2025
  • Featured in 70+ media publications
  • Raised $550,000 via pre-seed round to get platform started
  • 5% revenue model

Problem


Crowdfunding companies are facing major challenges

In October 2020, the FBI publicly announced warnings regarding charity and crowdfunding fraud associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the current crowdfunding platforms verify the beneficiary of the campaign, making it easy for well-meaning people to lose money to fraud or scams. This directly impacts America’s first responders. Each day, first responders and military personnel put their lives on the line not only to protect the public, but to protect our way of life. Unfortunately, while our nation’s heroes are the first to a crisis, they’re also often the first to be left behind.   

 

Solution


Verified crowdfunding platform for first responders, military and medical professionals

Fund the First is a verified crowdfunding platform for our nation's heroes. So many fellow citizens want to be able to help them when there is a need – whether it is to help families when a father or mother dies in the line of duty, provide financial support directly to first responders and members of the military who suffer injury or illness, or even to help provide a financial jumpstart to a first responder looking to start a new business. Our platform stops the cycle of scams and corruption by fully verifying every campaign to ensure that it's legitimate and proceeds go directly to the first responder, military member, medical professional, or his/her family.  

Product


Our platform ensures heroes get the help they need                   

Fund the First has developed a platform that combats fraud and the issue of duplicate campaigns, while providing verified first responders, military and medical professionals with a trusted place to get the support they need.

FundtheFirst.com is a simple way to support our heroes. Every campaign on our platform is verified by the ID.me solution to ensure the money goes to the right person. Using the secure online platform, individuals can create, manage, and promote verified campaigns to help verified first responders, military or medical professionals raise money during times of need. 

Traction


155+ campaigns and counting

Fund the First officially launched on July 22nd, 2020. Since then, we’ve been featured in over 70 media publications, including nationally televised on Fox and Friends with Brian Kilmeade, which had over 2 million viewers and CBS This Morning with Meg Oliver on Thanksgiving, with 3 million viewers. Our platform has grown to host over 155 campaigns, raising over $1M and counting, with first responders, military and medical professionals all over America receiving help from grateful citizens. We are now partners with 23 first responder, military, and medical professional organizations. 

Customers


Helping all first responders, military, and medical professionals

Fund the First has an addressable market of 4M+ people across the US. Our customers work to keep us safe as police officers, military personnel, firefighters, and paramedics. Campaigns hosted on our platform have helped our nation's heroes, their families and their friends all across the country. Fund the First assists both active and retired first responders, military and medical professionals.

Business model


5% platform fee on each donation

Fund the First charges a 5% platform fee on each donation that flows through the web platform. On average, campaigns raise around $5K. By increasing the amount and number of campaigns, Fund the First will increase revenue. 

We also created a complementary 501(c)3 entity that provides $5K checks to families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. 

Market


Global crowdfunding market projected to almost triple by 2025

The global crowdfunding market is worth $5.5B and is projected to almost triple by 2025. 64% of US consumers are aware of crowdfunding, and crowdfunding has added $65B+ to the global economy. Our go to market strategy is to raise awareness of the brand with appearances on news channels and through social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn), provide a forum for thought leadership within the first responder, military and medical professional communities, and attend events that have a high concentration of our target market in attendance. 

Competition


Strong brand & first to market in this niche market category

Unlike other crowdfunding platforms, Fund the First releases funds raised to campaign beneficiaries directly, ensuring that those that donated know their funds are going to the proper source. 

Vision and strategy


First responders, military and medical professionals will have a national platform

Fund the First’s vision is to help first responders, military and medical professionals all across the U.S. It's an unfortunate truth that these valuable members of society are overlooked, and we aim to uplift them and their families. With your investment, we'll expand our platform to offer help to educators and teachers, and bring on key corporate partners to continue our company mission. 

Funding


Raised $550K to date

Fund the First has raised $550K in common stock to date. We aim to raise a total of $1,070,000 in funding. Funding will predominantly go towards aggressive marketing to achieve wide-spread brand awareness and continual platform upgrades to support increased traffic and new features. We will also devote a considerable amount to further R&D efforts.

Founders


Management

Deal terms


Valuation cap

$6,000,000

The maximum valuation at which your investment converts into equity shares or cash.
Learn more

Discount

0%

If a trigger event for Fund the First occurs, the discount provision gives investors equity shares (or equal value in cash) at a reduced price.
Learn more.

Minimum investment

$100

The smallest investment amount that Fund the First is accepting.
Learn more

Funding goal

$1.07M

Fund the First must achieve its minimum goal of $25K before the deadline. The maximum amount the offering can raise is $1.07M.
Learn more

Deadline
Fund the First needs to reach their minimum funding goal before the deadline ( ). If they don’t, all investments will be refunded.
Learn more
Type of security

Crowd SAFE

A SAFE allows an investor to make a cash investment in a company, with rights to receive certain company stock at a later date, in connection with a specific event. · Learn more

How it works

Documents

Republic (OpenDeal Portal LLC, CRD #283874) is hosting this Reg CF securities offering by FT1 Inc.. View the official SEC filing and all updates:
Official SEC Logo Form C SEC.gov
Company documents
Fund the First Crowd SAFE Fund the First Form C:A.pdf Fund the First Form C.pdf

Bonus perks

In addition to your Crowd SAFE, you'll receive perks for investing in Fund the First.
16 investors
Invest
$500
Receive
  • A thank you letter from the Fund the First Team.
  • Limited (4 left of 20)
10 investors
Invest
$1,500
Receive
  • Investors will receive the above perk + a social media post on all our @fundthefirst profiles.
  • Limited (5 left of 15)
2 investors
Invest
$10,000
Receive
  • Investors will receive all of the above perks + a video conference call with the Fund the First Team, Fund the First shirt and hat, and listed as a supporter.
  • Limited (8 left of 10)
1 investor
Invest
$50,000
Receive
  • Investors will receive all of the above perks + become a Board of Advisor for Fund the First.
  • Limited (4 left of 5)

Why others invested

See all reviews (0) See all (0)

I invested because as a veteran, funding veterans and first responders when they need assistance, along with the solid approach to reduce fraud, is a winning combination.

Profile picture of Brian Lofton
Brian Lofton
Investor
about 4 years ago

I believe in the values of Fund the First and support the cause of verified crowd funding for the needs of first responders, police officers, medical personnel and military.

Profile picture of Marilyn Rhodes
Marilyn Rhodes
Investor
about 4 years ago

I invested because I strongly believe in the vision and attributing mission of the company to achieve desired goals and help our nation's heroes in the process.

Profile picture of Khuzema A Savai
Khuzema A Savai
Active investor
about 4 years ago

About Fund the First

Legal Name
FT1 Inc.
Founded
Jul 2019
Form
New York Corporation
Employees
3
Website
fundthefirst.com
Social Media
Headquarters
Google Map location of of Fund the First
2009 Decker Avenue , Merrick, NY
Headquarters
2009 Decker Avenue, Merrick, NY, United States 11566

Fund the First Team
Everyone helping build Fund the First, not limited to employees

Profile picture of Robert Garland
Robert Garland
Founder & CEO
Featured in Superheroes · Read
Profile picture of Ashton Reagin
Ashton Reagin
Chief Operating Officer
Profile picture of Michael LaLuna
Michael LaLuna
Chief Financial Officer
Profile picture of MacKenna Norris
MacKenna Norris
Social Media Manager
Profile picture of Joe Lavoie
Joe Lavoie
Community Outreach Associate
Profile picture of Keion Mark
Keion Mark
Military Liaison
Profile picture of Craig Garland
Craig Garland
Law Enforcement Liaison
Profile picture of LaJuana Haselrig
LaJuana Haselrig
Advisor
Profile picture of Mike LiPetri
Mike LiPetri
Advisor
Profile picture of Jessica Mark
Jessica Mark
Advisor
Profile picture of Evan Bruno
Evan Bruno
Advisor
Profile picture of Angela Alberti
Angela Alberti
Advisor
Profile picture of Joe DiPietro
Joe DiPietro
Advisor
Profile picture of Keith Locascio
Keith Locascio
Advisor
13 more team members
Robert Garland
Founder & CEO
Ashton Reagin
Chief Operating Officer
Michael LaLuna
Chief Financial Officer
MacKenna Norris
Social Media Manager
Joe Lavoie
Community Outreach Associate
Keion Mark
Military Liaison
Craig Garland
Law Enforcement Liaison
LaJuana Haselrig
Advisor
Mike LiPetri
Advisor
Jessica Mark
Advisor
Evan Bruno
Advisor
Angela Alberti
Advisor
Joe DiPietro
Advisor
Keith Locascio
Advisor

Press

NYPD detective starts 'Fund the First' platform to raise ...
Fox News Fox News
·
Sep 13, 2021

When veteran New York police Detective Robert Garland saw his supervisor's daughter born with a rare neurological conditi...

LI crowdfunding startup aims to help first responders
Newsday Newsday
·
Mar 5, 2021

A Long Island startup has launched a crowdfunding website to aid police, firefighters and other first responders in need ...

12 hours inside Oregon's Almeda Fire
Washington Post Washington Post
·
Oct 20, 2020

In Oregon last month, extreme weather was not the only factor firefighters faced. They were running out of resources. On ...

Fundraising efforts underway for East Greenbush Police De...
NEWS10 ABC NEWS10 ABC
·
Sep 24, 2020

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. ( NEWS10) - The East Greenbush Police Department was recently approved for a K9 program, but it's go...

Fund the First campaign aims to raise money for NYPD offi...
News 12 - Long Island News 12 - Long Island
·
Sep 3, 2020

A Fund the First campaign has been set up for an NYPD officer who suddenly lost his life after suffering a brain aneurysm...

ID.me Secures Fund the First To Help First Responders In ...
ID.me Insights ID.me Insights
·
Jul 22, 2020

MCLEAN, Va., July 22, 2020 - ID.me will power the online verification and validation program for Fund the First, the firs...

This Crowdfunding Site Was Made by First Responders, for ...
Military.com Military.com
·
Jul 22, 2020

When New York Police Detective Robert Garland's friend needed help to pay for his daughter's health care costs, he didn't...

FundtheFirst.com Launches First Verified Online Contribut...
Fire Engineering Fire Engineering
·
Jul 22, 2020

Americans have shown a tremendous desire to help those who help them - first responders in need. For too long, scammers a...

Alumni Launch Online Platform to "Fund the First"
Nyit Nyit

Pictured from left: Robert Garland, Kevin Darcey, Fund the First Chief Marketing Director Aaron Padin, and Michael LaLuna...

FundtheFirst.com launches 1st verified online contributio...
Police1 Police1

NEW YORK - Americans have shown a tremendous desire to help those who help them - first responders in need. For too long,...

Fund the First startup becomes first crowdfunding platfor...
Fox Fox

Fund the First is the only verified way to provide financial support directly to first responders in need; CEO Robert Gar...

NYPD detective's desire to help family turns into platfor...
Cbsnews Cbsnews

The "CBS This Morning" series A More Perfect Union aims to show that what unites us as Americans is far greater than what...

Show all
Logo of Fund the First

Fund the First

Fund the First successfully raised $117,997 from 123 investors on September 1, 2021
Profile picture of Matthew Samsom
Profile picture of Ida Richard
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Profile picture of Takashi Sengoku
Profile picture of Khuzema A Savai
Matthew, Ida, Brian, Takashi, Khuzema A, and 118 others invested. 24 Reviews
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