About Seattle Police Foundation
The Seattle Police Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises supplemental funding for the Seattle Police Department to help enhance public safety in Seattle. We have 3.5 FTEs and 33 board members who come from diverse backgrounds. In 2023, we celebrated 21 years of service to the men and women of SPD! The Seattle Police Foundation helps bridge the crucial gap between what the City can fund for the police department and what it cannot. In addition to funding programs and initiatives that build community and improve officer and community safety, we provide grants to SPD officers and civilian staff to help bring their ideas to life.
2023 Grants and projects funded by Seattle Police Foundation:
- The ‘Courageous Lions for Courageous Kids’ program, which provides a stuffed lion, a certificate of courage, and free counseling to kids and youth impacted by trauma and abuse
- Narcotics vehicle modifications to help enhance the safety of Narcotics K9 Devon
- 4 Cs – Cops, Community, Cutz, and Convos program, which provided free haircuts to Seattle’s youth
- Steering wheel locks which were passed out to Seattle community members for free
- Improvements to one of the SWAT vehicles to ensure officer safety
- Cooking with the Chief, a five-part youth engagement series with Chief Adrian Diaz that welcomed youth from different Seattle schools and community centers, local chefs, and a different surprise guest at each session
- TruNarc Narcotics Analyzer to help keep the Seattle community and officers safer from illicit substances
- Funded 2nd annual flag football “Turkey Bowl” and other events hosted by the Wellness Unit
- Hailer and mobile Brinc Ball system to better equip the Hostage Negotiation Team and help them save lives
- Major improvements at SPD’s training annex (classroom and kitchen)
- Fallen Officer Memorial Project: new public memorial for fallen Officer Alexandra “Lexi” Brenneman Harris
The Seattle Police Foundation provides ongoing support to the following programs and units:
Beds for Kids – Founded in 2014 by two SPD officers, Beds for Kids is one of SPD’s cornerstone community outreach initiatives. Thanks to SPF donors, Beds for Kids has provided more than 2,400 beds to local families in need.
The Seattle Police Department EMT Unit – SPF is the sole source of funding for the Seattle Police Department EMT Unit, which provides crucial medical aid to the survivors of violent crime until fire/EMS professionals arrive and are permitted to enter the scene. SPF funding provides lifesaving medical equipment, training, and continuing education. Since 2018, we’ve invested over $550,000 in the lifesaving EMT Unit!
Safe Place – The Safe Place program is a partnership between the police department, schools, and the business community to help respond to hate crimes. SPF support provides program materials translated into five non- English languages, and more.
Victim Support Team – Funding from SPF donors helps survivor advocates provide emergency hotel vouchers, food, Uber rides, and other personal care items for domestic violence and violent crime survivors and their families.
Harbor Patrol Unit – In 2022 and 2023 SPF funding repaired SPD’s primary firefighting vessel (Patrol 4), plus invested in lifesaving infrared technology (FLIR), crucial marine fire suppression equipment, lifesaving flotation devices, bunker gear for officers, and more.
Seattle Police Department K9 Unit – Recent SPF investments include 2 Narcotics Detection K9s, 4 patrol K9s, ballistics vests for four patrol K9s, 2 Explosive Detection K9s, 2 wellness K9s, and 1 comfort dog, plus K9 emergency medical training for all K9 handlers.
For more about the SPF’s vital community work, visit the SPF website at seattlepolicefoundation.org
