Goal: to consistently reach $1 million in revenue at the Phoenix Police Foundation
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The brave men and women who make up the Phoenix Police Department can depend on the unwavering, steadfast support from the Phoenix Police Foundation.
Over the last six years the men and women of the Phoenix Police Foundation have raised nearly 5 million dollars to meet the financial needs of the heroes who dawn the Phoenix Police Department uniform every day to protect and serve all parts of the Phoenix community.
Craig Stanford, Phoenix Police Foundation Board of Directors chairman, tells the Arizona Digital Free Press the ongoing philanthropic effort is just getting started.
“As the incoming chairman, my primary objective is to build upon the robust foundation established in the last five years, during which the annual revenues of the foundation have surged from the lower hundreds of thousands per year into the 1 million dollar range,” he said. “The foundation has not only experienced consistent increases in donations but has also fortified its technical infrastructure to better support our continually improving board members and advisors in their fundraising efforts.”
Mr. Stanford serves as chief strategy officer at Liaison International. Over the last 30 years, the company has helped millions of college students enroll in over 40,000 collegiate programs on more than 1,200 campuses, who manage admissions better through Liaison’s proprietary centralized application service.
The Phoenix Police Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to address unmet capital needs of the Phoenix Police Department, provides financial assistance in crisis situations and recognizes those who protect our communities.
Mr. Stanford provided a detailed outline of his goals for his time at the helm of the Phoenix Police Foundation Board of Directors.
They are:
- Enhancing Board Participation: Actively engage board members in promoting awareness of the foundation and its mission. This involvement will be instrumental in cultivating new relationships, both with individual citizens and corporate partners, with a strategic focus.
- Introducing new programs: Partnering with the foundation president, the aim is to incorporate at least one new substantial annual program each year, designed to attract major gifts. This could take the form of a notable event such as a gala or athletic challenge, or through a targeted direct marketing campaign, or a synergistic combination of both. While several ideas are under consideration, the challenge in 2024 is to determine the best, most feasible option and mobilize the team to implement the chosen program.
Phoenix Police Foundation readies next chapter of philanthropic police endeavors
With support of Phoenix residents and the generosity of the business community, the Phoenix Police Foundation has raised over $4,740,000 since 2018, of which 91% of those funds have been used in support of the Phoenix Police Department.
“I strongly believe in the foundation’s mission, which is built upon three fundamental pillars: Fund, Honor, Assist,” Mr. Stanford pointed out. “We aim to fund unmet capital needs that officers and the department cannot fulfill on their own, honor those who display exceptional courage without seeking personal credit, and importantly, provide assistance to officers and their families who may find themselves unable to provide for their own needs due to injury or death.”
Mr. Stanford explains critical injuries have claimed the lives of 42 Phoenix police officers and seven K-9s.
“I never directly served the community as a police officer or in the armed services. However, growing up in a law enforcement family, I saw how my father helped others,” Mr. Stanford said of the legacy of community service he learned through his father.
“Additionally, residing in the closest residential building to Tower 1 during 9/11 provided me with a unique perspective on the significance of service, in real-time on that Tuesday and for the many months that followed. Now, as I’ve established myself in my career, it has become a personal priority to use a portion of my discretionary time to give back to those who serve.”
For Mr. Stanford, support for community is the No. 1 priority of the Phoenix Police Foundation.
“The prosperity of our community hinges on robust infrastructure, with a crucial emphasis on effective law enforcement,” he said. “The paramount attribute for a board member or advisor is a genuine commitment to making a positive impact on this cause.”
