FIRST Appoints Fundraising Veteran
MANCHESTER, N.H., July 28, 2009 ― FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, announced today that Roy Temper has been named Vice President of Development.
In this role, Temper will report directly to Paul R. Gudonis, President of FIRST, and will have chief responsibility for all annual giving, capital and endowment campaigns, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, and individual and planned giving programs.
“Roy brings significant fundraising expertise to FIRST, but more importantly, a strategy and track record for helping already-successful development organizations achieve more aggressive growth goals,” said Paul R. Gudonis, FIRST President. “Roy’s extensive experience in building momentum for corporate sponsorships, capital campaigns and planned giving will be an important asset as FIRST continues to expand its global programs, partnerships and footprint.”
Temper brings nearly 30 years of strategic non-profit fundraising experience to FIRST, having served as President of J. Donovan Associates and as Executive Vice President of Ketchum and Senior Strategist to Changing Our World Inc., an Omnicom Group company. He has raised more than $1 billion over his career and has provided strategic development counsel to 1,100 national and international organizations. His areas of expertise includes enhancing annual giving, capital and endowment campaigns, corporate support, foundations and grants, and major individual, planned giving programs and board development.
“FIRST is in a unique and enviable position from a development standpoint,” said Temper. “Where most organizations are constantly challenged to build their corporate and foundation base, FIRST has dynamic corporate support by virtue of its innovative student programs in science and technology. This presents a tremendous opportunity to leverage and enhance the growth potential that exists to greatly expand major individual and planned giving initiatives at FIRST.”
About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With the support of many of the world’s most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for high-school students, FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for children 9-14 years old, and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9 year-olds. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
