Police foundations—nonprofit organizations that help raise money and provide resources for police programs, equipment, and special needs that cannot be readily provided through public sector funds—offer a promising source of support in bridging funding gaps.
[1] This often includes support for specialized training and equipment that is important for citizen and officer safety, including body armor[2] and support for community programs associated with public safety, such as youth Police Explorer programs.
[3] In 2010, it was estimated that at least 25 local police foundations existed,[4] although nearly 100 are listed below.
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) partnered with the Target Corporation to hold a series of training workshops around the U.S. to "provide business leaders, elected officials, police chiefs, and foundation board members and staff with the basic tools to establish and grow a police foundation".
[6] These workshops were conducted by representatives of the New York City Police Foundation.