Tag Archives: fund raising

Public Safety Foundation Will Make First Grants to Local Law Enforcement

Ukiah, CA – Dec. 11, 2011: After its first fund-raising drive, the Mendocino Public Safety Foundation is ready to begin assisting local law enforcement agencies. The Foundation has invited the sheriff and Ukiah, Willits and Ft Bragg police departments to make proposals for equipment acquisition or other projects. All submissions will be considered and, on January 17, 2012, the Foundation will award up to $10,000 in grants.

We extend our thanks to the community for the quick response and all the support received to date. “We are continuing to collect donations and hope to provide more support for law enforcement in the future,” said Ross Liberty.

The Foundation was incorporated in May 2011 as a 501(c)(3) charity to collect tax-deductible private donations. All donations will go to one or more of the four local law enforcement agencies.

“With all the cutbacks, there just isn’t enough public money for public safety,” said Foundation Chairman, Jim Eddie. “Private donations are needed to help the sheriff and police get the tools they need.”

The Foundation is inviting individuals and businesses to become members who will make donations every year. Members get a donor bumper sticker and an invitation to the Foundation’s annual event. Businesses also receive a wall placard acknowledging their support.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors is chaired by Jim Eddie, a lifelong county resident and Potter Valley rancher who served three terms as a Mendocino County Supervisor. Other Board members come from all over the county. Sheriff Tom Allman and the three city police chiefs are ex-officio advisors to the Board. The Foundation’s website is www.ProtectMendocino.org, which accepts donations through PayPal. The Foundation’s mailing address is P.O. Box 123, Ukiah CA 95482.

New Foundation Will Raise Private Donations to Support Mendocino County Law Enforcement

Ukiah, CA – Nov. 14, 2011: A diverse group of Mendocino County residents has incorporated a non-profit charitable foundation to raise funds to support local law enforcement.

The Mendocino Public Safety Foundation will send out its first fund-raising mailer this week to thousands of households and businesses.

“We’re in this for the long-run,” said Jim Eddie, the Foundation’s Chairman. “Government funding for our sheriff and police has fallen to an unacceptable level and it is likely to get worse rather than better. It’s time for private donors to step up and contribute to protect public safety,” said Eddie.

The Foundation plans to work closely with the sheriff and city police departments to get the most impact from private assistance. Donations will be passed on as grants to the sheriff and the three city police departments to pay for critical equipment and supplies. One example is helping law enforcement acquire and keep police dogs, which can greatly increase the effectiveness and security of peace officers.

Sheriff Tom Allman said, “I am thrilled to work alongside so many people who are striving to help law enforcement provide public safety throughout our county. It’s exciting to know that 100% of all the contributions will stay right here in Mendocino County.”

The Foundation is modeled on dozens of similar non-profits around the U.S. Depending on individual tax status, private donations of this kind are deductible from federal and state income taxes, and the Foundation has been recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

The Foundation will encourage supporters to become members who will contribute every year, and both households and businesses will receive recognition of their donations. While no fund-raising target has been established, Eddie expects the Foundation’s income will grow steadily as the public recognizes that its safety depends on maintaining law enforcement resources.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors is headed by Jim Eddie of Potter Valley, chairman, Ross Liberty of Ukiah, president, and Don J. Miller of Fort Bragg, vice president. The seven-member Board is supported by an advisory committee of 14 people from all over the county. The sheriff and three city police chiefs will be ex-officio advisors to the Board.

Generous support for the Foundation’s organizational costs has been donated by Savings Bank of Mendocino, Factory Pipe, Selzer Realty and numerous individuals.

The Foundation can be contacted by emailing info@protectmendocino.org, or at P.O. Box 123, Ukiah, CA 95482

Copy of this press release in pdf format.