The Cleveland Police Foundation Continues to Meet Unfunded Needs
The Cleveland Police Foundation (CPF) was incorporated July 7, 2005. Since then, we have fulfilled the vision of four visionaries who created the organization that reflected their collective dream. They identified the need to support the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) and the numerous activities they conduct on behalf of the community.
Our foundation is the result of the desire and determination of three civic leaders—Thomas D. Ganley, Edward A. Lozick, and Samuel H. Miller—along with Police Chief Mike McGrath who was just retiring from the police division.
It was August 24, 2020, when long time board member Woods King III obtained our tax-exempt status as a 501 (c)(3) charity.
As an independent alliance of business and civic leaders, law enforcement organizations and individuals were committed to the idea that an educated, well trained, and modernly equipped police force leads to a safer community for everyone. At the beginning, we focus on strengthening the bonds between the CDP and the citizens it serves by investing in programs, community policing initiatives and engagements as well as events that support the five police charities.
Today, we have evolved into a foundation that meets the current needs of our police officers and the Division. We have narrowed our core mission to focus on building community trust, working with disadvantaged youths and focusing on the mental health and wellness of police officers. In 2022 we conducted a community survey that supplied direction and caused us to rewrite our mission statement.
The mission of the Cleveland Police Foundation is to invest in programs to help police improve community trust with emphasis on youths in their formative years, and programs that enhance the morale and well-being of police officers.
We are fulfilling our mission by supporting these important police and community initiatives:
Police Districts
Support our officers in all five Districts for priorities defined by District Commanders.
Police Charities
- Honor Guard, the ceremonial unit of flag bearers for official events and special occasions.
- Pipes & Drums Corps, the ceremonial unit of bagpipers and drums performs in parades, official events, and funerals.
- The Mounted Unit provides skilled officers on horseback for crowd control and special occasions and maintains stables for the care and housing of the horses.
- Historical Society and Museum preserves the heritage of the Cleveland Police Department with donations funding the campaign to house the collection of artifacts and records.
- Cleveland Police Athletic League (PAL) is one of the oldest PAL organizations in the USA and was started by Cleveland Safety Director Elliott Ness. PAL funds and manages organized sports and education programs for disadvantaged and underserved youth positioning police officers as role models.
Foundation Programs
- Heroes Fund provides financial support to families of officers killed in the line of duty, and officers with duty-related health issues and injuries.
- Christmas Fund underwrites holiday parties in the Police Districts, and the city-wide PAL Children’s Christmas Party at Tower City for thousands of deserving kids and their families.
- Denihan Arts Fund will provide additional funding for inter-active arts activities between police officers and kids.
- Fishing with Cops Fund currently underwrites two fishing outings for inner city kids and police officers, however the Foundation hopes to dramatically expand this program.
- Therapy Dogs Fund supports the Division of Police therapy dog, specially equipped vehicle, and dog’s police officer handler. The Foundation needs funding for a therapy dog in each Police District to provide comfort to officers and residents in times of stress and crisis.
- Owens Park Fund underwrites upkeep and maintenance of a small community park at the site of Officer Derek Owens death in the line of duty.
- Mental Health and Wellness Fund underwrites innovative approaches to relieve duty-related stress and trauma including classes teaching mindfulness, self-awareness, and empathy, and Yoga and Equine Therapy for mental wellness.
- Gun Buy Back Fund collects funding for incentives to encourage resident turn-in of firearms in exchange for gas and retail gift cards.
Here we are celebrating our 20-year anniversary, but there is so much more to do. Our board is looking to the future with great excitement. When we help the Cleveland Division of Police, we help our entire community. We could not have accomplished what we have without your generosity, time as volunteers, and inputs that keep us grounded.
We are looking forward to our next 20 years! Join us as we anticipate a very bright future.