--- title: "Giving to FIRST: Meet Kate and Sravan!" description: As a nonprofit organization, FIRST relies on the generosity of donors to continue its mission. Hear from two FIRST employees who give monthly to the FIRST mission. image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Picture1-Oct-23-2023-03-29-40-9009-PM.jpg --- As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, *FIRST*® relies on the generosity of donors like you to continue its mission of inspiring young people to become innovators and problem-solvers. Donating to *FIRST* will help students access resources, mentorship, and opportunities to learn and build esteem with STEAM skills. Hear more from two *FIRST* employees who give monthly to the *FIRST* mission.   **Kate Sample** *Education Specialist at FIRST, alum & volunteer* *![kate](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/kate.jpg?width=600&height=481&name=kate.jpg)* **How long have you been involved with* FIRST?*** *FIRST*® Robotics Competition 1108 “Panther Robotics” started in my hometown in 2003. I have been around the program as a student, volunteer, mentor, coach, and staffer for close to 20 years!   ** ** **Why do you choose to give monthly to the *FIRST* mission?** The *FIRST* program changed my life. Being a student in the program, I gained so many skills both technical and holistic, and had the opportunity to be exposed to so many career paths. It is what led me to pursue a degree in education (after all the hours engaging with students and their families in the community – sharing about the amazing program and how STEM can be so impactful). Being a mentor and volunteer has allowed me to see the extreme dedication that so many individuals put into ensuring our students have such a phenomenal experience.    **What do you hope to accomplish through your philanthropy?** When I donate, even a small amount each month, I know that I am helping to contribute to a great cause and that this money is ultimately providing students just like me with their own life-changing experience.      **What do you wish everyone knew about the* FIRST *mission?** *FIRST* is not like other nonprofits. The mission that we are setting out to accomplish is lofty. I am just one of thousands of alumni that look back on their experience and smile with fond memories. This program is having a positive impact, and it is seen every time you talk to someone who has been involved for even just a day: any student, parent, teacher, or event volunteer.       **Anything else you’d like to share?** Individual giving is like a rain drop in a bucket. If everyone who has ever been impacted by *FIRST* gives just a small amount each month or even once a year, we could easily exceed our goal.       ---   **Sravan Suryadevara** *Senior Applications Software Developer at FIRST, alum, coach & volunteer* **![sravan](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sravan.jpg?width=600&height=448&name=sravan.jpg) **   **How long have you been involved with* FIRST*?** I've been involved with *FIRST* for 17 years. The first *FIRST* Robotics Competition event I attended as a student was during the 2006 Ramp Riot season.   **Why do you choose to give monthly to the *FIRST*  mission?** *FIRST* provides the necessary skills to young people for them to grow to be leaders. Knowing calculus, being well-read, or memorizing lessons is not enough to face challenges of our current and future world. The mission of *FIRST* is to ensure that young people are educated and qualified while also gaining critical skills for them to solve our world's problems.    **What do you hope to accomplish through your philanthropy?**** ** Help *FIRST* to sustain existing programs and to reach every corner of the world.    **What do you wish everyone knew about the *FIRST* mission?** *FIRST* is not just about STEM nor is it just an educational organization, it is so much more. It can alter a young person's trajectory and bring hope to an entire community. The many great things alumni of *FIRST* will achieve are not because *FIRST* made them amazing people, but because *FIRST* provided them the opportunity to recognize that potential. All the while instilling in them important Core Values that will help build a just, peaceful, and equitable world.  ** ** **Anything else you’d like to share?** If you have not interacted or seen a *FIRST* program, you will immediately begin to understand once you have. If you cannot contribute financially, consider giving back through volunteerism or mentorship. Young people often just want to belong somewhere. With your time, your most valuable resource, and through *FIRST,* you can provide that for them while preparing them for our world's challenges.      [![Donate to the FIRST Mission](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1747660/interactive-141770768482.png) ](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL%2Flf%2BnrMW9Q6F6jXfMt8%2BB49WJ0KkwFri0HRxls7B9oyYXxGBzU5WKBlwvtFeSIec36KpwmHb58ko4BQKO3%2FIVfa2NSn36hXDugvS2g4TXJPfLu6%2BbONGcbPW%2BW3rfn9BCVAI8FogYAl1BRIvaiVrYntYcIhps4qK0lR9p63LZISkusZ%2FrWpRi4XB422EhHXjaTpbjxI1L97lgIXKOk7bOr8UtTsH8AZvIDQKjOhmoyvY%3D&webInteractiveContentId=141770768482&portalId=1747660) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/giving-to-first-meet-kate-and-sravan) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/giving-to-first-meet-kate-and-sravan) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/giving-to-first-meet-kate-and-sravan) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first) These blog posts have been contributed by members of *FIRST* staff. *FIRST* is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, N.H. ### Related Posts Giving to FIRST: Meet Mike! October 24, 2023 ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni), [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone), [Inspired Youth, Inspire You](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/inspired-youth-inspire-you) Inspired Youth, Inspire You: The FIRST Student Point Of View September 13, 2022 ** [Volunteers](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/volunteers), [FTC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/ftc), [FLL](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/fll), [FRC](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/frc) Announcing New Mentor Training, Team Connectivity, & More October 2, 2025 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)