Oakland Police Foundation Grant

The Oakland Police Foundation (OPF), founded in 2002 through a bequest from Harold W. Kerrison—a former Oakland Police Officer—serves as a vital philanthropic arm supporting the Oakland Police Department. OPF’s mission centers on enhancing public safety through financial support for law enforcement operations, community engagement initiatives, and programs that build trust between officers and residents. As a nonprofit entity, OPF positions itself as a unique bridge between the police force and the Oakland community, facilitating initiatives that bolster both operational readiness and civic relationships. The grant program administered by OPF accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, with awards determined quarterly—in January, April, July, and October. Funding decisions are guided by the alignment of the proposed project with OPF’s public safety mission and the availability of resources. Applications are reviewed first by a subcommittee of the OPF Board and, if qualified, proceed to a full Board review. Only requests formally presented to the entire Board are eligible for funding approval. Applicants may request funding up to $5,000. Requests that exceed this threshold must include a separate letter detailing additional funding sources and clearly delineate the core project components achievable within the $5,000 limit. While grants above this amount may be approved on a case-by-case basis, OPF prioritizes broad distribution of its resources to support multiple impactful initiatives. Past recipients of OPF funding have included equipment upgrades for patrol divisions, community youth programs, K-9 unit enhancements, and specialized training for public safety staff. The grant application process requires submission through internal chain-of-command procedures, followed by direct delivery to OPF’s Executive Director. Supporting documentation should accompany the application. Proposals that meet OPF’s criteria are invited for a formal 10-minute oral presentation before the Board, followed by a short Q&A session. Final decisions are made during closed-door sessions of the Board. All required documentation must be submitted no later than the 15th day of the month preceding the quarterly meeting, which is held on the first Thursday of January, April, July, and October. Applicants must be prepared to furnish 15 printed copies of their proposal during the presentation. If a grant is awarded, the recipient agrees to the terms of the funding contract, including submission of interim and final reports evaluating project outcomes. For inquiries related to eligibility or the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact OPF President Oliver Cunningham at 510-777-8563 or via email at [email protected]. Additional administrative support is available through Executive Director Barbara Medlin at [email protected]. OPF’s consistent quarterly structure offers applicants a dependable timeline while ensuring that projects with strong alignment to its mission are given thoughtful consideration.

Prepare thorough supporting materials; incomplete applications are rejected.