[2] It was established by the Association for a Better New York, a consortium of business interests headed by real-estate magnate Lewis Rudin, in 1971 during the Knapp Commission.

[2] Between 1987 and 2005, the foundation published an annual print journal that generated revenue by selling advertising space to various transnational corporations.

[2] According to the foundation's website, in July 2001 Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik granted them the right to license and use the NYPD's trademarks and logos to raise funds.

[9][10] From 2002 to 2010, the foundation paid for Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly's membership at the Harvard Club of New York as well as a political consultant when he considered running for mayor.

[5] A 2017 Politico investigation suggested donors could leverage donations with the foundation to secure contracts with the police department.