Recently I received a call from a number I didn't recognize from the area code I used to live in. According to Bates, the "Police Officers Support Association" appears to be a facade for a political entity whose actual name is "Law Enforcement for a Safer America, PAC." The organization is widely considered to be a "Scam PAC," with only a fraction of donated funds actually going towards pro-police activity. National Association of Police Athletics/Activities League. Whether the Breast Cancer Relief Foundation is immoral or just extremely incompetent, were a bit unsure. The Childrens Cancer Recovery Foundation is one of 8 similarly dubious charities run by Greg Anderson. Terms & conditions/privacy policy apply https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/terms-of-service/, Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. So, the next time you get this call, hang up. You can read more about our leadershiphere. Unfortunately, the rest of the country is their oyster. They operate across the United States and strive to honor members of law enforcement and uplift their families after tragedies. Ways to contribute: You can contribute to Concerns of Police Survivors by donating through the organizations website. It was found that only 2.7% of donations to the relief fund actually went to the families of fallen officers. The Foundation's strategic mission is to: raise awareness about threats to officer safety; provide law enforcement advocacy; and provide assistance to police families. The rest does a grand job of propping up the bank accounts of the foundations sleazy directors. For this reason, our methodology applies zero points to both financial metrics in cases where the Program Expense ratio is under 50%. Contributions are tax . It also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. For more information, please refer to theIRS definition of Political Organization. This leaves very little to be spent on political advocacy, which is, after all, the actual purpose of a PAC to begin with. What did they spend all their money on? IRS reports show that in 2011 alone, executive director Ken Howles drew an $87000 salary of the little money left over, only around 9-14% made its way into the hands of the troopers. Filed Jan. 29, 2020, 3:45 p.m. GMT. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. February 27, 2023 alexandra bonefas scott No Comments . The IUPA and the relief fund also uses almost 80% of its donated funds to pay telemarketers to obtain even more funds. If youre like a lot of people, youve been hearing more and more about this company, but you may not know exactly what theyre all about. You can see our current B+ rating.. Hes a high-powered executive who has carved a niche in the fintech industry. Op/Ed: Police Stops Are Dangerous. National Police Support Fund is a grassroots political organization that is committed to aligning the interests and needs of police officers with the public's issues and concerns within the national political process. Did you know that LET has a private home for those who support emergency responders and veterans? Would you be willing to send us an email at [emailprotected] so we can we learn more about your experience? Numerous sources list NPTA as a scam, and a recent report from the Center for Public Integrity (which is a self-described nonprofit newsroom that investigates betrayals of public trust) reveals just how much of a scam it really is. Neither is there very much money making its way into cancer research, with only 2% of its donations ending up helping women with breast cancer. Find out now: How much do I need to save for retirement? You can also get involved by volunteering or participating in the organizations annual fundraising events. An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference. Americans need to push for the election of Candidates that support the efforts of our law enforcement officials and share the same agenda. Given that only 0.7% of the donations distributed over all three trusts have made its way to our deserving officers (the rest having somehow found its way into the bank accounts of Dierks and LeConte, and the shady lawyers willing to defend them) youd be better off keeping your money in the bank. The problem with that is the person answering the phone cant or wont answer any questions concerning the political aspect. Allen Lee is a Toronto-based freelance writer who studied business in school but has since turned to other pursuits. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Another charity that should come with a donator, beware sign is the Police Protection Fund. Learn more about our criteria and methodology. The National Police Association is a nonprofit organization with the simple mission of supporting the brave men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line every single day to protect us and preserve the American way of life. Also, only 2% of its donations end up helping women with breast cancer. Three of them have been negative subjects in similar investigations from Public Integrity. According to Bates, the "Police Officers Support Association" appears to be a facade for a political entity whose actual name is "Law Enforcement for a Safer America, PAC." The organization is widely considered to be a "Scam PAC," with only a fraction of donated funds actually going towards pro-police activity. The organization also has a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. If you want to donate money for your police or fire department, send your contribution to the local sheriff or chiefs directly. Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO, said that any nonprofit that solicits public contributions should earn peoples trust, and one way to do so is by being transparent. I told him I would be happy to donate and he thanked me and said he would transfer me to someone who would take my info. The majority of the rest is funnels back into the accounts of its fundraising solicitors. 2023 Copyright Law Enforcement Today - All Rights Reserved. Our movement is comprised of tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life who are joined together by their common respect for the rule of law and united in their support for the police officers who put their lives on the line every day in their communities. Contributions made to National Police Support Fund are not tax-deductible. as a way to support the families of law enforcement members who lost their lives while serving their communities. Ways to contribute: You can contribute to the National Police Foundation by donating through the organizations website. The National Police & Sheriff's Coalition PAC is a non-party political organization (not a charity) established and regulated under section 527 of the tax code. Whether the Breast Cancer Relief Foundation is immoral or just extremely incompetent, were a bit unsure. ft location in Sarasota, Florida, and other expenses.. National Police Support Fund representatives have been phoning potential donors in the St. Louis area over the past several weeks. At the time of this writing, the relief funds website was no longer functioning. He wanted to establish a memorial that would pay tribute to the work and service of law enforcement, while honoring those who had lost their lives in the line of duty. Their impact and transparency ratings: Concerns of Police Survivors maintains a 4-star rating and an Accountability and Transparency score of 100 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. review the ongoing performance of any Adviser, participate in the management of any users account by an A:A 527 political organization is a party committee, association, fund, or other organization organized and operated primarily for the purpose of directly or indirectly accepting contributions or making expenditures for an exempt function. administrators. The Police and Troopers Relief Foundation (PTRF) is a special program within the Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund (LEORF), established by the International Union of Police Associations. There are anti-law and order groups who are doing all they can to . As all contributors are required to list their address, occupation and employer. The National Fallen Officer Foundation is a 501(c)3 police-support organization designed to assist the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty nationwide. Our donations are handled through a third party service provider: Give Lively, LLC, which has its own privacy and security policies. SSL certificates, Concerns of Police Survivors. They count on local press coverage and a quick website. To advance policing through innovation and science. Can the New Toys R Us 2.0 Make it in this Market? The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States and was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action and education. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. This is a scam and the scammers look up the names of actual officers to make it seem more plausible. The majority of the rest of the money lines crafty Krafts pockets. What they do: The National Police Foundation strengthens law enforcement agencies by providing funding and support to their technology and innovation programs. Freedmans life has a lot, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know About Michael FreedmanContinue. Eric Friedrichsen is an American businessman recently appointed as the CEO of a new tech company called Emburse. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. Legitimate charities with nothing to hide will tell you how you can make your contribution later and . The organization has had huge and very public stalls on a major project yet senior management continues to point fingers externally rather than evaluate their part in the matter. Police Unity Tour. In Sioux City, Iowa, their social media post warns, "The SCPD has recently become aware of a questionable charity organization called the National Police and Trooper Association. This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization. Make sure you click following and then click see first so you dont miss a thing! The call came to Get Gephardt to investigate who exactly it is . THE NATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION IS A 501 (C) (3)NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED TO EDUCATE SUPPORTERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ON HOW TO HELP POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACCOMPLISH T . You can find more information about who is theNational Police Support Fundhere. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund was founded in 1984 by a former New York City Police Department officer, and member of Congress. In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. It only took a quick internet search to find that this phone call and most like them are a fraud. After its formation, the National Police Foundation was initially led by a team of 13 members, which included state politicians, advocates, and businessmen. Association for Firefighters and Paramedics, 13. BBB advises residents to be cautious of phone calls or mailers soliciting donations to the organization that describes itself as a grassroots movement of Americans united to support their political action activities. Legitimate charities with nothing to hide will tell you how you can make your contribution later and hustlers will get annoyed. Instagram. All investing involves risk, including loss of OUR MISSION National Police Support Fund is dedicated to providing a united voice for true Americans who support our nation's law enforcement officers. Parkins heads up the Childrens Cancer Fund of America, a foundation that allows her to draw a healthy annual salary of $227,000 (according to the IRS records of 2011, at least), a figure that is just about matched by the funds annual donations to charity. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website, Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website, Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation, No expectation (removed from scoring methodology), Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores. Other names to beware of in association with the IUPA are the Police Officers Support Association and the National Emergency Responders Coalition, but now that Public Integrity has published their report, it would be wise to do extensive research into the organizations that you choose to donate to where claims of supporting law enforcement lie. As a result of training its solicitors to discuss how individuals can lessen their chances of a cancer diagnosis, 80% of the charitys annual profits end up in the hands of its solicitors (rather than in the hands of the families its meant to be supporting). Please note that many legitimate local (and unaffiliated) police foundations and organizations may solicit donations from local communities via telephone and mail. In two words, its not. The association is listed as affiliated with the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA). The National Police Dog Foundation raises funds for the purchase, training, and veterinary care of law enforcement K-9s. Domain age, The only quarter they were in the black was Q1 of 2018, netting $10,561, which they managed to lose over the next three reporting periods. Their impact and transparency ratings: Project K9 Hero has a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. SmartAsset does not Your donation attempt encountered a problem. A nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization headquartered in Washington, DC, the Memorial Fund built and continues to maintain the National Law Enforcement . That the no-shame Reynolds takes home an annual salary of around $230,000 is bad enough (and properly tells you all you need to know about where your donations are going). The National Policing Institute does NOT solicit donations from anyone via phone. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity. The first rule for anyone should be do not ever give out your credit card info over the phone to an unsolicited caller! reduce returns). They are the tragi-charities. Founded in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is dedicated to telling the story of American Law Enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. For example, in 2020, the organization spent over 75% of its income on peer support, benefits assistance, and its programs. In some cases, the "charity" has a name that includes a law enforcement word . In reality, only 2% of donations go towards the cause. I was suspicious of the call from the very beginning. IRS reports show that in 2011 alone, executive director Ken Howles drew an $87000 salary; of the little money left over, only around 9-14% made its way into the hands of the troopers. This charity's score is 60%, earning it a Two-Star rating. What they do: Project K9 Hero advocates for the care of military and police dogs after they retire. According to the complaint, DPSF conned people into donating more than $9.9 million. Everything I have found on this organization is negative! For example, in 2020, Project K9 Hero spent nearly 71% of its income on its programming and services. At the National Policing Institute (the Institute), formerly known as the National Police Foundation, our mission is to pursue excellence in policing through science and innovation. While the union flaunts itself as the only union for law enforcement officers, it is questionable in its reports of membership, which have been shown to be false on more than one occasion. To tell the story of American law enforcement, honor the fallen, and make it safer for those who serve. A:National Police Support Fund is not affiliated with any state or local police agencies. You answer to hear a voice asking for a contribution to the National Police Support Fund. Mostly they are the products of individual scammers who smell an opportunity to cash in using the name of a victim who may or may not even be real. PRIVACY POLICY AS IT RELATES TO MAKING A DONATION TO THE NATIONAL POLICE FOUNDATION. The VIRGINIA POLICE FUND is an advocate on behalf of law enforcement to ensure they receive adequate funding for proper training and equipment and to inform the public about the issues facing law enforcement. They reported contributions in the amount of $703,307. National Police Support Fund is dedicated to providing a united voice for true Americans who support our nation's law enforcement officers. The forms available on the IRS website reveal that the 3rd quarter is indicative of other quarters that they have filed since their 2017 inception. Project K9 Hero was founded in 2016 by Jason Johnson, a former US military officer and State Department official. We also encourage you to require donation information to be sent to you via U.S. Mail before considering any donation. Today, the organization has over 300 chapters across the country working to create positive change in local communities. If you call the number, you will be connected with an answering service. We are the oldest nationally-known, non-profit, non-partisan, and non-membership-driven organization dedicated to improving America's most noble profession . ( Don't worry - I gave them my work address.). So what happened to the other approximately 33% of that money? An elderly man in Trenton, Mi., received a dire letter that warned of the "greatest threats to our public . The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact, transparency ratings, and the unique ways in which they support law enforcement. Read Also: What Are The Best Police Boots. When I refused to give him the credit information, he became irritated and transferred my call to another man. said Trenton Police Lt. Mike Hawkins. The National Police Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is recognized as such. A spokesman for the New York City Police Department said in an emailed statement: The NYPD does not solicit contributions. SmartAsset Advisors, LLC ("SmartAsset"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Insight Technology, is There was also the uniform of an officer with the New Jersey State Police bomb squad and two police officers with the New York City Police Department. The IUPA has several red flags of its own, according to Public Integrity, as well as other sources. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - From unmarked strip-mall offices in small-town Alabama, the calls go out across the United States, meant to talk people into giving . Donate now > >. This overall score is calculated entirely from a single beacon score: 100% Accountability & Finance. The charity has also earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, based on its financial reports. The National Police Support Fund has a website and even a Facebook page to make them look legit, but hundreds of articles pop up from sources like the Better Business Bureau, The National Police Foundation and more warning people NOT to donate to this organization. The BBB said days later, the New Jersey State Police photo had been removed from the site. Their expenditures, according to that Form 8872? National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues. The police will not call you about a girl who sent you nudes, then revealed she is underaged and her dad is angry. American Association of State Troopers claims to support retired state troopers. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is the type of information that should be transparent so people know the organizations theyre donating to is properly using their hard earned dollars. At the helm of the National Veterans Service Fund is one Phillip Kraft (and no, hes no relation to the founder of Kraft Group, Robert (not, at least, that were aware. The Giving Basket is having some issues. Dont Miss: Where Is The Closest Police Academy, Remember James Reynolds from the Cancer Fund of America . of the law. Each organization says it is spending money for police officers being abused and unfairly targeted. You can also show your support for retired law enforcement dogs by purchasing some of the organizations branded gear from their online shop. Thanks for being a part of the LET family! They also strengthen law enforcements capacity through programming, advocacy, and fundraising efforts. The National Police Support Fund has a website and even a Facebook page to make them look legit, but hundreds of articles pop up from sources like the Better Business Bureau, The National Police Foundation and more warning people NOT to donate to this organization. . The music genre was characterized by rhythmic speech and street vernacular. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. The person on the other end of your phone doesnt tell you that. The man wanted me to pledge a large $ donation. If you want to subsidize the flash lifestyle of Reynolds, then go right ahead and donate. Below are our favorite charities for law enforcement: National Police Foundation. I had an hour in traffic to kill, so I bit. In the case of the National Caregiving Foundation, a lot. To protect those who protected our families, communities, and our America. You read that correctly. Privacy Policy, Download the KFVS News app: iPhone | Android. Currently, Lee is practicing the smidgen of Chinese that he picked up while visiting the Chinese mainland in hopes of someday being able to read certain historical texts in their original language. The National Policing Institute does NOT solicit donations from anyone via phone. A:National Police Support Fund is a political nonprofit, not a charity. Operators who are so susprised it's scam. In fact, there are numerous reviews and complaints regarding the NPSF on both the BBB and consumer review sites such as Yelp. HTTPS valid, However, a spokesperson with the New Jersey State Police said the department has no relationship with the organization and did not authorize use of the photo of its uniform. Charity Navigator disagrees vehemently, affording the organization a devastatingly low 0 out of 4 stars. In the case of the Youth Development Fund, the majority of its donations end up being siphoned off by executive Rick Bowen, who in turn, siphons the money into his production company. This includes marketing and outreach to supporters and communities, grassroots political efforts, and digital marketing efforts. The reason? Ask for information, check sites like Charitynavigator.org and then if it all checks out, write that check. Every penny they have spent are itemized as operating expenses. Unfortunately, these people are not the only ones who are taking advantage of the soft spot some people have for our law enforcement community. L ast month the National Police Association (NPA) filed an ethics complaint against Rachael Rollins, the new district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts (who recently outlined her progressive policies to Filter). Unfortunately, the United States Deputy Sheriffs Association is well versed enough in manipulation to convince even the most well-meaning of folk that its still a cause worthy of their support. The fund is the third in a series of outrageous attempts by founders David Dierks and Phil LeConte to extort money from generous Americans under the pretext of donations to the nation's police forces. The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). It means an opposing player does something to indicate he or she is bluffing. If you ask him about the difference between the 527 and 501 nonprofit status, or how much of their donations go to local law enforcement, he will tell you to call 866-487-4515. When you do this, depending on the experience of the solicitor, you will either hear a lot of fast talking or angry response or you will be provided the information. Anyone wondering how the charity manages to support such a huge paycheck may need to double back to the start of the article. Working with an adviser may come with potential downsides such as payment of fees (which will The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. . Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified . 4 talking about this. As a matter of fact, many people have taken to the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Youtube, Charity Navigator, and local news outlets to report their disapproval and concerns of the NPTA. But it pays to be cautious here, in no particular order, we take a look at some of the worst charities. In the case of Mike and Melody Gibson, pretty much everything. The organization began as a service program providing mentorship and outreach activities to youth as a way to combat juvenile crime. He owns a technology and security consulting firm and is a proud to be a native Texan. After youve made your decision, its time for you to decide on how youd like to help the charities youve chosen. Do police call for donations? In a nationwide, federal-state crackdown on fraudulent telemarketers claiming to help police, firefighters, and veterans, the Federal Trade Commission, together with 61 Attorneys General, Secretaries of State, and other law enforcers of 49 states and the District of Columbia, today announced Operation False Charity. I told him to send me something in the mail. While Yelp is not necessarily the final authority on a groups legitimacy, Simon Lewis, NPSF President felt the reviews warranted a response. The Childrens Cancer Recovery Foundation is one of 8 similarly dubious charities run by Greg Anderson. principal. This man also tried to get my credit card information, but I refused. Reprint Request This appears to be a stock photo.. Want to make sure you never miss a story from Law Enforcement Today? I say intent as one of the worst charities in the US, its managed to achieve only 2 of the 4 available stars awarded by Charity Navigator, an organization dedicated to informing us about the best and worst charities out there) any evidence that any of the thousands its raised through appeals have made their way to the appropriate services is so thin on the ground as to be non-existent. also welcomes in-kind donations and vehicle donations to support its programs and services. is in violation of the regulations of this system. In the case of National Police Support Fund, we accept contributions and make expenditures in order to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of candidates to federal, state, and local offices. Are you starting to see a pattern develop here? Adviser or provide advice regarding specific investments. (BMF affiliation code: 3). Its difficult to obtain much information about the NPTA online, but what is easy to discover is the skeeziness and illegitimacy of the donation requests. as we are now dissolved and no longer operational. RVCRI provides assistance to rural law enforcement agencies seeking to reduce violent crime and address problems associated with violent crime. It went straight to the effected families, right? The National Police Support Fund is a grassroots political organization that was founded in 2017 under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRS tax code . SmartAssets (More) Rating Information Needs Improvement This charity's score is 60%, earning it a Two-Star rating. Their impact and transparency ratings: The National Police Foundation holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar the highest rank possible. Like Operation Lookout National Center for Missing Youth, the next entry to our list reports to help return missing children to the parents arms. As with all his other worthy endeavors, the Childrens Cancer Recovery Foundation uses the underhand tactic of passing off soliciting calls as charitable donations on their tax returns. Location, Please refresh the page I say intent as one of the worst charities in the US, its managed to achieve only 2 of the 4 available stars awarded by Charity Navigator, an organization dedicated to informing us about the best and worst charities out there) any evidence that any of the thousands its raised through appeals have made their way to the appropriate services is so thin on the ground as to be non-existent. Lets just make sure we are contributing to the correct sources to make that happen. This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver. It was raising money using four different police-oriented names (one "association," two "coalitions" and one "support fund").
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