Who can use FundTheFirst?

Anyone. Anyone can start a fundraiser on FundTheFirst or be the person a fundraiser helps, whether or not they serve. Families never pay a platform fee.

Is a nurse considered a first responder?

First responders are law enforcement, firefighters, EMS and 911 dispatchers. Nurses have their own verified group on FundTheFirst, so registered nurses, LPNs, LVNs, nurse practitioners and travel nurses can all raise funds here. Flight nurses count as EMS.

Does a CNA count as a first responder?

A certified nurse aide is not in the first responder group, but CNAs verify in our Nurses group and can raise funds on FundTheFirst.

Is a medical assistant considered a first responder?

No, but medical assistants verify in our Medical providers group and can raise funds on FundTheFirst.

Is a respiratory therapist considered a first responder?

No, but respiratory therapists verify in our Medical providers group and can raise funds on FundTheFirst.

Is a correctional officer considered a first responder?

Yes. Correctional and detention officers are part of law enforcement in the first responder group.

Is a 911 dispatcher considered a first responder?

Yes. Police, sheriff, fire and EMS dispatchers and public safety telecommunicators are part of our first responder group.

Is a volunteer firefighter considered a first responder?

Yes. Volunteer firefighters are first responders, the same as career and wildland firefighters.

Is a police officer considered a first responder?

Yes. Police officers at every level, active and retired, are first responders.

Which is a first responder: a Coast Guard officer, an incident commander, a social service worker or an EMT?

The EMT. EMTs and paramedics are first responders. Coast Guard members verify in our Military group.

How do I prove I am a first responder?

When you start a fundraiser, our team confirms your group by hand, and the person receiving the funds verifies their identity securely with Plaid before any money is released.

Who can raise funds

Anyone can raise funds. Built for those who serve.

FundTheFirst is open to everyone, and families never pay a platform fee. We were built for first responders, military, nurses, medical providers and teachers: our team confirms those groups by hand, and identity is verified with Plaid.

Common questions

Who can use FundTheFirst?: Anyone. Anyone can start a fundraiser on FundTheFirst or be the person a fundraiser helps, whether or not they serve. Families never pay a platform fee.
Is a nurse considered a first responder?: First responders are law enforcement, firefighters, EMS and 911 dispatchers. Nurses have their own verified group on FundTheFirst, so registered nurses, LPNs, LVNs, nurse practitioners and travel nurses can all raise funds here. Flight nurses count as EMS.
Does a CNA count as a first responder?: A certified nurse aide is not in the first responder group, but CNAs verify in our Nurses group and can raise funds on FundTheFirst.
Is a medical assistant considered a first responder?: No, but medical assistants verify in our Medical providers group and can raise funds on FundTheFirst.
Is a respiratory therapist considered a first responder?: No, but respiratory therapists verify in our Medical providers group and can raise funds on FundTheFirst.
Is a correctional officer considered a first responder?: Yes. Correctional and detention officers are part of law enforcement in the first responder group.
Is a 911 dispatcher considered a first responder?: Yes. Police, sheriff, fire and EMS dispatchers and public safety telecommunicators are part of our first responder group.
Is a volunteer firefighter considered a first responder?: Yes. Volunteer firefighters are first responders, the same as career and wildland firefighters.
Is a police officer considered a first responder?: Yes. Police officers at every level, active and retired, are first responders.
Which is a first responder: a Coast Guard officer, an incident commander, a social service worker or an EMT?: The EMT. EMTs and paramedics are first responders. Coast Guard members verify in our Military group.
How do I prove I am a first responder?: When you start a fundraiser, our team confirms your group by hand, and the person receiving the funds verifies their identity securely with Plaid before any money is released.

The groups we were built for

Anyone can raise funds. These are the groups our team confirms by hand.

First responders

Active or retired emergency-service workers likely to be among the first to arrive at an emergency.

Law enforcement: police officers (federal, state and local), sheriffs and deputies, state troopers, correctional and detention officers, probation and parole officers, federal officers, park police and rangers, school resource officers, auxiliary and reserve officers
Firefighters: career, wildland and volunteer firefighters, and fire marshals
EMS: EMTs, paramedics, medical helicopter pilots and flight nurses
911 dispatchers (police, sheriff, fire or EMS) and public safety telecommunicators

Military

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard, US Public Health Service and NOAA.

Active duty, National Guard and reserves
Veterans and retirees
Military spouses, surviving spouses and immediate family

Nurses

Anyone who graduated from a nursing program and met their state's licensing requirements.

Registered nurses, LPNs and LVNs, nurse practitioners and CRNAs
Certified nurse aides (CNAs)
School, home health, clinical and travel nurses

Medical providers

Licensed and certified people who care for patients.

Doctors, physician assistants, dentists and pharmacists
Medical and dental assistants
Respiratory, physical and occupational therapists and their assistants
Clinical and lab technicians, psychologists, counselors, licensed clinical social workers and dietitians

Teachers

Current or retired school staff, PreK-12, and college faculty.

Classroom teachers, aides, substitutes and specialist teachers (music, art, coaching, speech)
Principals, assistant principals and superintendents
Counselors, school nurses, librarians and other school staff
College professors and adjunct faculty

Ready when you are

We're here.

Questions about your situation? Email [email protected].

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