Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
LELDF does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.
- Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
LELDF does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
LELDF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
LELDF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a budget for 2022.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
LELDF does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://www.policedefense.org/, does not indicate:
- What specific security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
8
9
13
16
Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund meets the remaining 11 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1994, DC
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Stated Purpose
"to support and defend the law enforcement profession and those law enforcement officers who have devoted their lives to upholding the Constitution and serving the United States and its citizens while enforcing its laws; to educate the public about the many risks and threats to law enforcement personnel in order to build a more informed, respectful, and appreciative society."
Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund (LELDF) reports that it provides financial assistance to law enforcement officers who are charged either civilly or criminally for actions taken in the line of duty. The organization also supports officers in administrative proceedings when legal and financial assistance is not available from local sources. LELDF reports that it also raises awareness of the risks to the livelihood, health, and safety of law enforcement officers and provides support and appropriate recognition for their sacrifices. Some ($1,243,173 or 57%) of LELDF?s program activities are carried out in conjunction with fundraising appeals.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund's program expenses were:
| Public education and media relations |
$1,657,513 |
| Case defense |
$510,710 |
| Association collaboration |
$16,944 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$2,185,167 |
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Chief Executive
Jason C. Johnson, President
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Compensation*
$201,374
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Chair of the Board
Alfred Regnery
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Former Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, United States Department of Justice
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Board Size
9
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Paid Staff Size
2
*2020 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements
LELDF incurred joint costs of $1,422,763 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $1,243,173 was allocated to program expenses and $179,590 was allocated to fundraising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,674,613, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$2,659,357 |
| Investment return, net |
$513,542 |
| List rental income |
$15,256 |
| Total Income |
$3,188,155 |
- Programs: 81%
- Fundraising: 13%
- Administrative: 6%
| Total Income |
$3,188,155 |
| Program expenses |
$2,185,167 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$327,313 |
| Administrative expenses |
$187,865 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$2,700,345 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$487,810 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$4,368,732 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$4,856,542 |
| Total Liabilities |
$362,448 |
| Total Assets |
$5,218,990 |