Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the New York City Police Foundation?

  • The New York City Police Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that provides resources for the NYPD to innovate and enhance the quality of its services; build bridges with the community; and make New York City a safer place to live, work and visit. Other police departments across the country may have their own foundations, unaffiliated with NYCPF, with their own separate independent missions.

Is the New York City Police Foundation connected to the NYPD or City government?

  • As a 501(c)(3), the New York City Police Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization.

What programs does the New York City Police Foundation fund?

  • The Police Foundation provides resources for four core areas of support which:
    • Advance programs to prevent violent crime, thwart terrorism, and safeguard the people of our city;
    • Strengthen communities by building relationships and trust between the NYPD and community members, including youth across the five boroughs;
    • Enhance leadership, wellness and training within the NYPD; and
    • Innovate technology and police services to protect the public and the police.
    • To learn more, see Our Work.

Does the Foundation purchase weapons or ammunition for the Police Department?

  • No, the Police Foundation does not purchase weapons (military or other) or ammunition of any kind for the Police Department.

Does the New York City Police Foundation directly support individual NYPD precincts?

  • In celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, a program known as “50 Grants for 50 Precincts” was launched to promote innovative new projects at NYPD precincts across the five boroughs. Among the winning innovations are those that strengthen community engagement, promote officer wellness, honor fallen officers, and more. The grants are paid directly to vendors providing services for these programs, thereby investing in communities and supporting small businesses through the process. To learn more, see here.

Does the New York City Police Foundation disclose financial information?

  • As required by law for all nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, we file an annual 990 detailing all money raised and spent. Our financial information is available publicly on our website, in our annual report, and via the IRS website.

Who donates to the New York City Police Foundation?

  • The New York City Police Foundation’s donors are made up of a broad cross-section of individuals and businesses, from New York and beyond, interested in building a safer city together. To learn how we protect the information you provide if you want to donate, please refer to our donor privacy policy

Why donate to the New York City Police Foundation?

  • The New York City Police Foundation provides resources for the NYPD to innovate and improve the quality of its services; build bridges with the community; and make New York City a safer place to live, work and visit. It provides funding for everything from special community programs, such as summer camps for economically insecure children, to emergency masks and gloves at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to rewards programs for tips to solve murders and attempted murders.