j LOS ANGELES FIRE EPARTMENT FOUNDATION OUR MISSION j The mission of the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is to create partnerships to provide resources, programs, services and equipment that assist firefighters and paramedics in protecting life, property and the environment by enhancing their ability to maintain their tradition of service at the highest level. WHO WE ARE The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is the major source of private financial support for the Los Angeles Fire Department (L^FD). The Foundation exists to provide funding for the LAFD to support needs not met by the city budget The goal is to enhance the safety of everyone in Los Angeles through preparedness and rapid response. WHY DOES A PUBLICLY FUNDED DEPARTMENjT NEED HELP? With 96% of the LAFD s budget spent on personnel, there is little left for the myriad equipment, training and services needed to run'm efficient, modern fire department. The city budget cannot keep pace. i THE NEED ; Every day the job of the Los Angeles Fire Department gets larger, tougher and more dangerous. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is a full-spectrum life safety agency protecting more than 4 million people who live iri the second largest city in America. The men and women of the department put their live$ on the line to keep us safe, often doing so without adequate equipment or resources, j The LAFD's 3,586 uniformed personnel and non-sworn cadre of 353 professionals protect life, property and the environment through their direct involvement in fire prevention, firefighting, emergency medical care, technical rpscue, hazardous materials mitigation, disaster response, public education and community service. They are the first responders for any major catastrophe. I. At all times, a total of 1,104 uniformed Firefighters (including 242 serving as Firefighter/Paramedics) are on duty at Fire Department facilities citywide, including 106 Neighborhood Fire Stations strategically located! across the Department's 471 squaremile jurisdiction. in 2009, the men and women of the LAFD responded 753,428 times to come to the aid of their neighbors in need. i HOW YOU CAN HELP We invite all who care about keeping Los Angelas a safer place to live, work and play to donate to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. For more information on how you can help, visit our website at www.supportlafd.org. Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation 1875 Century Park East, Suite 200 Los Angeles, CAI90067 310.552.4139 (P) 310.552.9052 (F) www.supportlafd.org Submitted in Committee Council File No: VT-~VS53 Item No.: Deputy:
Fire Foundation DRAFT Document In more than two years of existence, the Fire Department Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to the Los Angeles Fire Department in the form of equipment, technology, training and youth programs. Grants to specific fire stations are made in two ways. Adopt-a-Fire Station Funds formerly managed by the California Community Foundation were transferred to the Fire Department Foundation. The funds are earmarked for individual fire stations or specialized units. There is approximately $100,000 on deposit. Stations can request use of their funds for tools, equipment and quality of life items for the station which would not be included in the city budget. To date, the foundation has awarded 24 grants in this program. Because stations in underserved or less affluent neighborhoods don't have local donors for their funds, the foundation is establishing a special fund to make grants available to those stations. Since banks are required to invest a certain amount in community development, we are asking them to help create this fund. Our first partner in this endeavor is East West Bank. Individuals and businesses can make donations directly to the foundation, indicating which station or special unit they would like to support. The foundation is a 501-c-3 non-profit corporation, so these gifts are tax deductible to the donor. Foundation General Fund Grants for tools, equipment and some capital improvements for specific fire stations have been made from the foundation general fund. These are unrestricted funds which may be used for LAFD grant requests and foundation operating expenses. Donations can be made online, through a toll-free phone number or by mail. The foundation accepts major credit cards as well as checks and cash. Fire stations are encouraged to deposit the proceeds of local events such as pancake breakfasts with their Adopt-a-Fire Station account at the foundation. The funds are easily accessible, and the foundation is NOT charging a management fee for AAFS funds because the donor's wish is for all the funds to go to their fire station.
DRAFT * Requesting funds from the los ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation (Foundation) is up and running. The following information is to provide Department members with the steps to be followed in order to obtain funding for desired item(s). Please see attachment, FOUNDATION GUIDELINES for detailed information as to what the Foundation can and cannot provide according to their internal operating guidelines. The President of the Foundation is Karen Wagener. TYPES OF FUNDING: There are two distinct types of funding potentially available from the Foundation. One type of funding Is through the Adopt-A-Fire- Station Program (AAFSP). The othef type of funding available is discretionary funding and is provided directly by the Foundation either through fundraising efforts or through donations made to the Foundation that have not been designated for a specific use or recipient. ADOPT-A-FIRE STATION PROGRAM: The AAFSP portion of the Foundation takes the place of the previous AAFSP. Monies that were left over in individual AAFSP accounts have been transferred over into accounts now being managed by the Foundation. These accounts with balances left over have remained earmarked for individual Fire Stations, Units or Sections. If you are not certain if you have an existing AAFSP account or if you would like to know the balance of your AAFSP account, please contact the Foundation at (310) 552-4139.
NOTE: Members are reminded that there will be no reimbursements by the Foundation either through use of AAFSP funds or discretionary funds for any previously purchased item(s) for their work location. Members who have purchased an item(s) by using their personal credit card, personal check or have purchased an item(s) using house dues funds, will not be reimbursed by the Foundation. HOW TO START: Whether you are requesting to access funding through an AAFSP account or discretionary funding, the first step is to go online at www.supportlafd.oru and click on the link: Apply for a Grant, print out a grant request form and fill it out completely, see bottom of application for forwarding directions. If you have any questions regarding filling out the form, please Icontact the Foundation directly at (310) 552-4139 for assistance. The Foundation will contact you with initial approval to move forward with your request or inform you that it has been denied based on Foundation guidelines. If approval to move forward is granted by the Foundation, all members will be required to follow the LAFD internal procedures as outlined in the attachment titled, LAFD FOUNDATION PROCEDURES IN-KIND DONATIONS: The other type of donation which Fire Stations, Units or Sections may encounter is an in-kind donation; This is an offer of a donation of an item(s) directly to the Fire Station, Unit or Section. Whether or not this donation is offered by a private citizen, the Foundation or another 501(c)3, members shall follow LAFD procedures for accepting an in-kind dbnation(s) as outlined in the attachment titled IN-KIND DONATION(S) PROCEDURES.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST / FUND RAISERS: Any fund raising activity held for the benefit of any Fire Stations, Units or Sections by any outside organization shall be approved by the Administration. Prior to agreeing: to the event, the Fire Station, Unit or Section Commander shall seek Administrative approval by forwarding an F-225 through channels with all pertinent information such as logistics of event, name of organization conducting the fund raiser etc. Station Commanders are reminded that companies shall remain available for response during the event and security shall be provided for with off-duty personnel only. Any advertisements of the event shall be handled by the outside organization and clearly state that the fond raiser was organized by the outside organization for the benefit of said LAFD location. All members are reminded that any funds raised by the event whether given in a monetary or in-kind donation, shall only be accepted by following the procedures that have been outlined in this document. ACCEPTANCE OF MONETARY DONATIONS: All members are reminded that any checks or cash given as a donation to a specific Fire Station, Unit or Section, be forwarded to the Community Liaison Office (CLO). The CLO s Office can be contacted directly to arrange pick up of the donation. Monetary donations cannot be deposited into any House Dues, Fire Station or personal account. The CLO will secure the monetary donation and forward to the Foundation for deposit into said individual AAFSP account.
i THANKING OF DONORS: Although most LAFD locations that have received any type of donation in the past have thanked the donor either with a lunch invitation or in some other personal way. Besides a personal thank you, you will find a sample thank you letter on Black Letterhead. See attachment, DONATION THAl^K YOU SAMPLE LETTER. This thank you letter is tq be generated and signed by the Station Commander of all LAFD locations that receive any type of donation, thanking the donor on behalf of the LAFD for their generosity and support. Note: Please make sure that the most current Black Letterhead is being used.! Please see attachments for additional and more detailed information: ATTACHMENTS: Foundation Guidelines LAFD Foundation Procedures In-Kind Donation(s) Procedures Donation Thank You Sample Letter Foundation Request Form
COMMUNITY DONATIONS TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT There is a clear, easily accessible process for making donations to individual fire stations. The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation maintains and administers Adopt a Fire Station funds for every station and specialized unit in the city. Individuals, corporations, Neighborhood Councils and foundations may make donations earmarked for a specific station. Donations are tax deductible, as the foundation is a 501 -c-3 corporation. The foundation acknowledges all donations with a tax receipt. Community members may donate online through the foundation s website, may send a check to the foundation, may use remit envelopes to mail (these can be found at local fire stations). Occasionally, people leave a check at the station. These have been given to the foundation for deposit in the station s account. Proceeds from station fundraising events such as pancake breakfasts and merchandise sales should be deposited with the foundation. The foundation also acknowledges memorial donations and honor donations (birthdays, weddings, graduations, etc.). There are stations, particularly in less affluent neighborhoods, that don t have funds on deposit. The foundation is attempting to create an Adopt a Fire Station general fund to meet the needs of those stations. When a station needs equipment, technology, training or support for youth programs, they complete a grant application to the foundation, in addition to sign-off from the LAFD chain of command, all requests go to the Fire Commission for acceptance. Donations over $5,000 go to the City Council from the Commission. Adherence to the City Charter and Administrative Code are in effect when the foundation is making a gift to any city entity. Having the foundation receive donations ensures that money is managed in an accountable, transparent manner. There is no potential conflict nor ethical concern because the funds are not in the hands of city employees, and there is a clear approval process. The foundation is audited annually. Our challenge is informing the public about this simple procedure. Thank you for letting your constituents and civic organizations know about how they can donate to benefit the Los Angeles Fire Department, its individual stations and special units.
FOR FOUNDATION USE ONLY Grant Number: Approved Denied LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION Grant Request Form Date: Amount Requested: Contact Name: Phone: E-mail: Type of funding request (name of program or equipment): Provide a brief description and the need for the program/equipment/service (use attachment if needed): Is there a fiscal impact to approving this request? (Maintenance costs, monthly service cost, extra equipment or services etc.). Please describe: Has this program/equipment/service previously been requested through the city budget? If yes, list the most recent date of submission and the result: If no, explain the reason why it was not submitted: What objectives will be accomplished if the funding is granted? Fire Station Commander's Signature "A" Platoon "B" Platoon "C" Platoon Please attach an itemized list for the expenses or a quote from the equipment manufacturer on the vendor's letterhead including model numbers and total units needed. Upon approval, the foundation will pay the vendor directly. Any questions regarding Foundation procedures can be directed to the Los Angeles Fire Foundation at 310-552-4139. You may submit your request by email to Karen@supportiafd.org, or by fax to 310-552-9052
a. W* (Rev, October 2007) Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Name (as shown on your income tax return) C\j to K s f Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation Business name, if different from above?! Q Ctha-Cseefnaructiorts) > Address (number, street, and apt or suite no.) 1875 Century Park East, Suite 200 I s w Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Check appropriate box: O Indivldual/Sole proprietor El Corporation CU Partnership O limited KabBftv comoanv. Enter the tax classification (D=disreaarded entity. C=coroorat!on. Psoartnamhlpl > City, state, and ZIP code Los Angeles, CA 90067 Ust account numbers) here (optional) Taxpayer identification Number {TIN) Enter your TIN in the appropriate Pox. The TIN provided must match the name given on Line 1 to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part l instructions on page 3. For other entities, It is your employer identification number (EIN). if you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN on page 3. Note, if the account is in more than one name, see the chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter. Certification Under penalties of perjury, I certify that: Give form to the requester. Do not send to the IRS. ga Exempt J payee Requester'3 name and address (optional) Social security number j j or Employer identification number 27 i 2007326 1. The number shown on this form Is my correct taxpayer Identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and 2. 1 am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) i am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) \ have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and 3. I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below). Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report ail Interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, Item 2 does not apply. For mortgage Interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than Interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the Certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions on page 4. Sign Here General Instructions Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. Purpose of Form A person who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA. Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN to the person requesting it (the requester) and, when applicable, to: 1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued], 2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or 3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the withholding tax on foreign partners' share of effectively connected income. Note. If a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester's form if it Is substantially similar to this Form W-9. Date X-~ 3 ~2j[> l / Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are: An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, * A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the Jaws of the United States, An estate (other than a foreign estate), or A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7). Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax on any foreign partners share of income from such business. Further, In certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, a partnership is required to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the withholding tax. Therefore, If you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid withholding on your share of partnership income. The person who gives Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business In the United States is in the following cases: e The U.S. owner of a disregarded entity and not the entity, Cat. No. 10231X Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2007)