Scottsdale Police Foundation offers funds for local officers to donate
Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
The Scottsdale Police Foundation is announcing an ‘Officer Grant Program,’ an initiative designed to allow officers to further assist those in need with immediate relief and essential services.
“Every officer I’ve met has gone above and beyond for someone in need, using their own funds and time to help,” said Debbie Steinhauer, founder of the Scottsdale Police Foundation, in a prepared statement. “The Officer Grant Program was born out of these acts of kindness. We want to be there for our officers so they can be there for our community in even bigger ways.”
The Officer Grant Program allows officers to quickly and efficiently request funds through an online portal or direct contact when they encounter a person or family in need.
“Officers are often the first to recognize when someone in the community is struggling,” Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther said in press release. “They are there when a child’s bike is stolen, when a family’s home is broken into, or when a family doesn’t have a bed for their child. This program gives our officers the ability to help on the spot, making a real difference in people’s lives.”
The program is designed to support officers in a variety of ways, with no rigid requirements for the types of assistance provided.
“We’ve already seen incredible examples of officers stepping up,” Ms. Steinhauer said. “One officer purchased a new bike for a boy whose family couldn’t afford one. Another helped a family stay in a hotel for a night while searching for housing resources, and another officer bought a Christmas tree for a family who couldn’t celebrate the holidays.”
The funding and disbursement of the program is overseen by the Scottsdale Police Foundation, representatives of the group tell the Digital Free Press.
“The more support we receive, the more good we can do,” Chief Walther contends. “This program is not just about providing financial aid; it’s about reinforcing the trust and connection between our officers and the community. Every act of kindness deepens that bond.”
