The DC Police Foundation made real progress in 2007 to increase our direct and indirect support to the DC Police Department, and advance our advocacy work. We awarded the largest single grant in our seven year history—some $171,500 to the Police for a series of Summertime programs for youth crime prevention across the District – serving over 1,000 children. We also launched a major 18 month advocacy initiative promoting community awareness about a new crime lab for the City. 

Financial Grants Awarded to the MPD in 2008 rose to an all-time high of $413,196.00. Grants included badly needed equipment such as an Evidence Warehouse Walk-In Vault to properly secure and safeguard items such as cash held in evidence at the MPD Evidence Control Branch. In addition, we provided over $55,000 through donations of in-kind support for programs such as Girls Time Out, benefiting teenage girls between the ages of 13-18 who have had contact with the criminal justice system and are eligible for diversion. This program assists parents and students with alternative choices on how to handle peer pressure and overcome adversity, and is but one of the numerous youth programs the foundation now supports. 

The DCPF “Women’s Council,” is a growing and dedicated group of professional and business women in Washington DC that support the work of the Chief of Police and the MPD. In 2009 the Foundation became the beneficiary of ticket donations to popular sporting and cultural events collected through the Women’s Council‘s “Wish List Initiative.” This program continues to be extremely successful, and in 2010, we collected and distributed $23,297.00 worth of event tickets and good times for kids and officers and their families. 

The Washington DC Police Foundation is expert at forming and utilizing partnerships and collaborations to achieve sustainable solutions and improvements to public safety. In keeping with our expertise, the year 2011 has been a banner year marked by a striking increase in all levels of membership. New members include diverse and committed individuals and businesses committed to providing important unfunded program and equipment needs as the MPD continues to experience increased budget stress. We encourage anyone interested in making the District of Columbia a safer city to sign up for our e-newsletter and become involved.