Frequently Asked Questions

Fundthefirst.com is a FREE platform to utilize. Unlike other crowdfunding platforms, we do not have any administrative fees, setup fees, fees for not reaching your goal, fees for exceeding your goal or fees for requesting a payout. The only unavoidable fee is a 2.9% + .30 Stripe credit card processing fee that allows you to donate to a fundraiser on our platform. This fee is not an additional charge to your donation and is subtracted from the beneficiary of the campaign's total goal. Example – If you donate $100 to a fundraiser, the beneficiary will receive $97.

Our one of a kind and unique verification process ensures a trusted experience for all users on our platform. Additionally, our team personally contacts all organizers and beneficiaries of fundraisers to help with any guidance they may need.

FundtheFirst.com is a trusted and transparent fundraising platform, created by a retired NYPD Detective, which allows donors to have the trust factor they need to donate to campaigns without worrying about scams, fraud, and fees. It has been used to successfully raise millions of dollars since its launch, and is easy to set up and use for a variety of causes. It is verified to ensure that donations are going to a true and honest source, and fees are not taken from donations.

Fund the First is a trusted fundraising platform created to help first responders, military, medical professionals, teachers, and anyone in need. It was founded to solve the problems of fraud and lack of trust on other crowdfunding platforms by offering a secure, verified system.

Verification ensures that every fundraiser is legitimate. It protects donors and ensures that money goes exactly where it’s supposed to.

You create a fundraiser, verify your identity through our partner Plaid, and our team reviews your information. Once verified, your fundraiser goes live.

We partner with Plaid, a secure identity verification provider, to confirm that each fundraiser is real and trustworthy.

People donate more when they know a fundraiser is verified. It removes doubt and ensures the money is going to the right person.

Expect a guided process: set up your campaign, verify your identity, and receive personal support. We contact you as soon as it’s created.

No. Fund the First is completely free to use. Donors can choose to leave an optional tip to support the platform when they give.

Yes. A real person from our team contacts every organizer and beneficiary as soon as the fundraiser is started.

No. We are a fundraising platform, not a nonprofit. But we work with nonprofits and have a nonprofit partner called Fallen First Reserve.

No. Most donations come from the people who organize and benefit from the fundraiser. You are responsible for sharing your own campaign.

Anyone can create a fundraiser. You don’t need permission or to be part of an organization. Just go to FundtheFirst.com and start.

Yes. While we highlight first responders, military, and educators, anyone can use our platform for any verified cause.

Only the verified beneficiary receives the funds. The organizer cannot access the money, which ensures the funds go where they’re intended.

To start a fundraiser, simply click "Start a Fund the First" from our homepage or any other page on our platform.

A fundraiser for "Myself" indicates that you will be both the organizer and beneficiary of that campaign.

A fundraiser for "Someone Else" indicates that you will be organizing a campaign for a separate beneficiary.

A fundraiser for "Non-profit/Charity" indicates that you are a non-profit organization and/or charity and you will be shown as both the organizer and beneficiary of this campaign. Or, you are organizing a fundraiser to raise money for a charity which you will indicate.

A fundraiser for "Bootstrap-Me" indicates that you will be both the organizer and the beneficiary of this fundraiser. You will have the ability to create a fundraiser that has tier levels and different offers based on the amount of donations you are requesting and the types of givebacks you are offering.

There are so many different reasons to create your fundraiser. They include, but are not limited to the following: death, illness, surgery, catastrophic loss, supplies, bootstrap-me, good cause, classroom, events and miscellaneous scenarios.

Activation of fundraisers on our platform are at the discretion of our review board. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected]

Once your fundraiser has been activated you will receive an automated email with tips and tricks on how to share and maximize on your donations. Your fundraiser will also be active in our "Browse Campaigns" section on our platform under "Newly Listed."

After logging in to your Fund the First account, you can edit your fundraiser by clicking "Manage Campaign" from within your dashboard.

After logging in to your Fund the First account, you can end your fundraiser by clicking "Manage Campaign" from within your dashboard and clicking "End." This will stop anyone from donating to your fundraiser, but it will still be visible on our platform.

Yes! Please email us at [email protected] and we can discuss how to help you during your time of need.

The only person or entity that receives funds for a campaign is the beneficiary of intent. Our team ensures this through our vetting process.

Organizers and/or beneficiaries of fundraisers can request a payout from the dashboard of their fundraiser every 5 days.

No, all funds raised on your campaign are considered a gift and are not taxed. The only exception is a "Bootstrap-Me" campaign, which has specific instructions during your setup.

Our platform is a for-good company and is accredited by the BBB –
https://www.bbb.org/us/ny/merrick/profile/crowdfunding/fund-the-first-0121-87140970#bbbonlineclick

No. If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our non-profit arm at www.fallenfirstreserve.org

Email us at [email protected] with a copy of your donation receipt and we will process your request.

As the beneficiary of a fundraiser, you will be prompted via email to create an account.  From there, you will have the ability to view your user dashboard connected to your fundraiser. In order to request a payout, you will be asked to create an account with our partner, Stripe so that you can continue. Once your Stripe account is complete, you have control to request payouts and have them direct deposited into your bank account.

Organizers of fundraisers will never be issued funds. Funds are only issued to the beneficiary of intent.