About FundTheFirst

Built by one of their own.

A trustworthy crowdfunding platform for those who serve across the nation. Launched July 4th, 2020.

Why Robert started FundTheFirst

When Robert's close friend was facing mounting medical expenses related to his daughter's rare illness, he set out to help and researched the best way to raise money. What he found were platforms first responders didn't trust. So he built one they could.

Before founding FundTheFirst, Robert was a decorated detective with the New York City Police Department for 14 years.

Thousandsof fundraisers launched
Millionsraised in total donations
2020launched July 4th
$0platform fees

Leadership team

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Robert GarlandFounder & Chief Executive Officer

With a mission to provide a trustworthy crowdfunding platform for those who serve across the nation, Robert and his team at FundTheFirst.com have helped countless people raise millions of dollars through numerous fundraising causes.

But, the inspiration for FundTheFirst.com came from a personal place. When Robert's close friend was facing mounting medical expenses related to his daughter's rare illness, he set out to help and researched the best ways to raise money. It was then that he realized his brothers and sisters in blue were skeptical of existing crowdfunding sites, leading him to make the decision to build a better platform that all could trust.

Before founding FundTheFirst.com, Robert was a decorated Detective with the New York City Police Department, specializing in complex narcotics investigations. During his 14 years in law enforcement, he worked in various roles, including joint interagency operations with the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Well-respected in his field, he also served as an expert witness to the Office of Special Narcotics New York.

Robert's accomplishments go beyond his career in law enforcement. He is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and former Division I baseball player who attended the New York Institute of Technology. When he's not helping those in need, he can be found spending time with his three children, volunteering as a baseball coach, and serving on the board of numerous business and non-profit organizations. Robert continues to be a fixture in his local community, using his platform to make a difference.

Michael LaLunaCo-Founder & Chief Financial Officer

Born and raised on Long Island, Michael developed a passion for baseball at a young age. He played on his high school team and later attended New York Institute of Technology where he was a standout player for their Division I program. After graduating, he was signed by the Detroit Tigers and played professionally for several years before deciding to retire from the sport to pursue other interests.

Since retiring from professional baseball, Michael has been focused on his career in finance. He is a licensed CPA and runs his own accounting firm where he helps businesses and individuals with their tax and financial planning needs. In addition to his work as a CPA, Michael is also the Chief Financial Officer of FundTheFirst.com, a crowdfunding platform that helps people raise money for various causes.

In his free time, Michael is devoted to attributing his expertise to various sources. He is the co-founder of Robosport Technologies, a company that uses robotics to help baseball players. He is also a father of two children and enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf in his spare time.

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