SUPPORT
Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators Today
Join Us In this Journey
Time. Talent. Treasure.
We believe in a future where every young mind has the opportunity to explore, create, and innovate. Our mission is simple yet profound: to inspire and equip the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and leaders right here in the DC, MD, and VA communities.
Will you support our mission and help make FIRST programs available to every student?
Here's How
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Donate
By donating to FIRST Chesapeake, you’re investing in the future of DC, MD, and VA.
Your donation directly supports STEM education programs that inspire students to explore the wonders of science and technology
Your contribution empowers us to reach more students, provide more resources, and make a lasting impact on the lives of countless young individuals.
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Partner
FIRST Chesapeake operates primarily from the generosity of our corporate partners who understand the importance of creating a community of young innovators who will shape our future.
Are you interested in joining our partners?
Together, we can build a strong STEM workforce and give back to our community.
Amplify Your Impact
Corporate Matching Gifts
Increase the impact of your donation or volunteer time with a corporate matching gift! Many employers will match your financial gifts and volunteer hours. Thanks to the generosity of FIRST corporate supporters, employees have the option of doubling or even tripling their donation through the Matching Gift program. Find out if your employer will match your contribution!
Are You A Part of the Dollars for Doers Program?
Does your company participate in a Dollars for Doers program that donates cash grants to nonprofit organizations based on the time employees volunteer?
VirginiaFIRST dba FIRST Chesapeake is an approved nonprofit. Please note, that we might be listed in your company’s list of nonprofit organizations as FIRST Chesapeake OR VirginiaFIRST.
Corporate Matching Gifts
Increase the impact of your donation or volunteer time
Our Valued Partners
Investing in Future Leaders
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FY26 · WHAT YOU’RE PART OF
10,235
Students building robots this season
493
Teams across DC, Maryland and Virginia
1,003
Volunteers who made the events happen
18,912
Volunteer hours given last year
Source: FY26 Impact Report. Fewer than 1% of eligible students in our region have access to hands-on robotics, with the widest gap in Title I and rural schools.
THREE WAYS TO HELP
Every gift, hour and partner keeps a team building.
01
Give monthly
Monthly gifts keep teams supplied all season. $10 a month keeps one student building for a full season, and you can cancel anytime.
02
Give one event day
No robotics background needed. Most of our volunteers started with none. We train you and put you where you’re needed.
03
Bring your company in
Sponsorships, talent pipeline programs and employee volunteer cohorts live on our partner page.
QUESTIONS
Where does my money go?
Team registration support, mentor training and getting rookie teams to their first competition. Every donor gets a note in January showing what their gifts did.
Can I change, pause or cancel a monthly gift?
Yes, anytime. Email contactus@firstchesapeake.org and a person will take care of it.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes. VirginiaFIRST dba FIRST Chesapeake is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 20-8081778. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Will my employer match my gift or volunteer hours?
Many do. Search for your employer in the FIRST workplace giving tool. We may be listed as FIRST Chesapeake or VirginiaFIRST.
Does my company’s Dollars for Doers program count?
Yes. VirginiaFIRST dba FIRST Chesapeake is an approved nonprofit. Look for either name in your company’s giving portal.
Can I give by check, stock or a donor-advised fund?
Yes. Email contactus@firstchesapeake.org and we’ll send the details.
My company wants to get involved. Where do we start?
Our partner page covers sponsorship, talent pipeline programs and employee volunteer cohorts, with a short form to start the conversation.
GIVE MONTHLY
You don’t have to build the robot to keep it running.
A $10 monthly gift is the easiest way in. It’s less than one streaming subscription, you can cancel anytime, and over a year it keeps one student building for a full season.
Many employers match gifts. Check if yours does. VirginiaFIRST dba FIRST Chesapeake is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 20-8081778.
$10/mo
Keeps one student building for a full season.
$15/mo
Sends a rookie team to its first competition.
$25/mo
Funds a season of near-peer mentorship for one high school team.
$50/mo
Outfits a brand new team’s build space with the basics.
MAKE A GIFT
Every gift keeps a team on the field.
Choose monthly or one time, then pick an amount.
Make a donation
Frequency
Monthly
One time
Yearly
Amount
$10
$25
$50
$100
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