At the Law Enforcement Charitable Foundation, we take supporting our local police seriously, because they are essential to upholding our freedoms.
Local law-enforcement agencies are primarily funded by local governments, but many — especially smaller ones — don’t have the resources to equip their officers with critical gear, such as body armor. Every day, officers put their lives on the line to keep us safe. With 28 percent of officers shot in the line of duty being victims of ambush-style attacks, and with rising politically charged civil unrest, the risks they face have never been greater or more unpredictable.
When local departments lack funding for essential tools, they are often forced to turn to federal grants to meet basic needs. But those funds often come with conditions that, over time, create dependency and undermine local control.
Examples of federal programs that threaten local control include:
• The 1033 Program, which is administered by the Defense Logistics Agency and allows the transfer of surplus military equipment — including armored vehicles, M-16 rifles, and night-vision gear — to local police departments at no cost; and
• The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, which is run by the U.S. Department of Justice and gives millions of dollars annually to local police for crime prevention, drug enforcement, and equipment.
Federal funding is never neutral. It comes with policy expectations, and can shift the mission, tactics, and accountability of local police. Over time, departments become dependent on federal funds and resources at the expense of local control.
We must fill this funding gap, because independence matters. We at LECF are dedicated to ensuring that our local police remain independent of federal control, well-equipped, and community-focused. That’s why we provide grants to departments and families of law-enforcement officers — without federal strings attached.
Our programs include:
• Equipment and memorial grants: We provide essential protective gear, such as body armor, and support memorials that honor the fallen.
• Education grants: We offer scholarships for the children of police officers to attend FreedomProject Academy, a fully accredited, online school that offers a rigorous, classical education rooted in America’s founding principles.
• 2026 bulletproof vest drive: Our current goal is to raise enough money to fund 350 new bulletproof vests for local departments in need.
Visit https://lecf-inc.org/ to learn more about our programs. Let’s keep our local police independent and free.
— Drew Dorans, LECF President