The Front Line Foundation Pledges Increased Funding to Support Minnesota's 60,000 First Responders

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (October 3, 2022) – The Front Line Foundation (TFLF) announced today it will give proceeds from its annual golf tournament to fund the growing requests of Minnesota law enforcement and fire departments. With widespread decreases in police and fire department funding, TFLF has determined that they need to further their philanthropy to provide resources that protect those who protect our communities. At its annual golf tournament on September 12, TFLF raised $210,000 which will immediately be used to support first responders across the state.

"These are trying times for police and fire departments," said Justin Zenanko Co-Chair of TFLF Board. "We are seeing a big increase in funding requests, and we believe it is the absolute right thing to do all we can to support these men and women who protect us on a daily basis."

Founded in late 2018, The Front Line Foundation was formed to support Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMTs and members of the National Guard across Minnesota, to grant financial support to families of first responders who have died in the line of duty. To date more than 308-thousand dollars have been donated. The Foundation's mission is to bridge the gap between the death and benefits being paid, which can help families with immediate and ongoing expenses.

While continuing to support the families of fallen first responders, the area of greatest need at present is to support departments who are seeing their budgets dwindle due to a climate where efforts to defund departments are at an all-time high. In just the past 60 days, TFLF has issued checks totaling more than $40,000 to support departments who have been impacted by budget cuts.

"I find it astonishing and shameful that we are sending Minnesota first responders into dangerous situations without the equipment that they need to adequately protect themselves and others. If our first responders have critical equipment needs that cannot or will not be met by their cities and departments, we want to help. Something as simple as a donation of a drone will save lives. I am honored to be able to help meet those needs." said Suzanne Holt, TFLF President and CEO. "The generous support of our donors enables us to help as best we can, however there is always more that we can do."

As a direct recipient of TFLF's support, Anoka County Sherriff James Stuart says that the support his department receives is needed and greatly appreciated.

"The business practices of public safety are more demanding and challenging than ever before," said Stuart. "Thanks to partners like The Front Line Foundation stepping up, we can make our communities safer."

TFLF is always on the lookout for ways to better serve first responders across Minnesota.

"We are happy to step up to the plate and support the men and women who protect us every day," said Zenanko. "While we wish departments were funded properly, we take it as an important challenge to garner support and funding that at present isn't being afforded to our community's greatest asset."

About the Front Line Foundation:

The Front Line Foundation began as an attempt to help and support our Fallen Heroes, including Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, and the Minnesota National Guard. The Frontline Foundation provides support to those who died while in the line of duty, by giving benefit payments to dependents of fallen first responders. Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, and EMT First Responders face armed and dangerous criminals, impaired individuals wielding weapons, even emotionally charged, and threatening domestic disputes. They are The Front Line Defenders of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities who face and diffuse the high-risk, frequently appalling situations we know or hear about, with disbelief, on the news. In addition to providing endowments and support for the families of fallen heroes, The Front Line Foundation will underwrite scholarships and training registration costs for Front Line personnel as well as support preparedness training for safety officers in hospitals, schools, and places of worship. Further, we assist with the purchase of needed safety and tactical equipment not currently within the budget of the local unit of government. For more information, please visit https://www.thefrontlinemn.org/ All media inquires contact Robb Leer 612.701.0608 or robbl@leercommunication.com