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SOUTHERN ARIZONA LAW ENFORCEMENT
TUCSON, AZ · EIN 200559408 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE M40 · Public Safety & Disaster Relief · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.soazlef.org
revenue
$182K
expenses
$165K
net assets
$316K
employees
1
volunteers
30
program ratio
63%
mission · from form 990

TO PROMOTE AND PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE GREATER TUCSON AREA; SUPPORT CRIME INTERVENTION, PREVENTION AND REDUCTION STRATEGIES; RAISE AND ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR EQUIPMENT AND PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE NORMAL CITY OF TUCSON BUDGETING PROCESS; AND INCREASE AWARENESS AND INTERACTION WITH THE TUCSON AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation (SALEF) supports law enforcement agencies in the Tucson metro area by funding life-saving equipment, technology, and training for officers. Originally founded as the Tucson Police Foundation in 2003, it rebranded in 2017 to expand support to regional agencies. SALEF raises funds through corporate partnerships, grants, donations, and community events to supplement public funding for police departments.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $32K
    EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING: PROVIDED EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING FOR THE TUCSON POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE ORO VALLEY POLICE DAPRTMENT AND THE MARANA POLICE DEPARTMENT.
named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

K9 Support Program
Funds the purchase of bomb detection K9s and equips K9 vehicles with heat monitoring and alarm systems to protect officer safety
Life-Saving Equipment Grant Program
Provides funding for critical equipment such as bulletproof vests, technology upgrades, and training for partner law enforcement agencies
START - Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training
Teen driver safety training program; current status is uncertain pending future updates
Thank-a-Cop Golf Tournament
Annual fundraising event that brings together community members and sponsors to support law enforcement through donations and sponsorships
activities · 4 groups

what they do

  • Law Enforcement Equipment and K-9 Unit Support 12 activities
    • Fundraising and Equipment Provision for Law Enforcement Agencies
      Accepts donations and raises funds to purchase critical life-saving equipment, technology, K9 units, and officer training for various Southern Arizona law enforcement agencies, including the Tucson Police Department, Marana Police Department, Tucson Airport Authority Police Department, and Oro Valley Police Department. This includes items such as bulletproof vests, bomb detection K9s, and K9 vehicle heat alarms.
    • Fundraising and Equipment Provision for Law Enforcement Agencies
      Accepts donations and raises funds to purchase critical life-saving equipment, technology, officer training, and K9 units for various Southern Arizona law enforcement agencies, including the Tucson Police Department, Marana Police Department, Oro Valley Police Department, and Tucson Airport Authority Police Department. This includes items like bulletproof vests, K9 bomb detection dogs, and K9 vehicle heat alarms.
    • Fundraising and Grant Allocation for Law Enforcement Agencies
      Raises money through donations and events to fund critical life-saving equipment, technology, officer training, and other needs for various law enforcement agencies in Southern Arizona, including the Tucson Police Department, Marana Police Department, Tucson Airport Authority Police Department, and Oro Valley Police Department.
    • Fundraising and donation management for law enforcement agencies
      Accepts donations to fund critical needs for regional law enforcement agencies, including life-saving equipment, technology, software upgrades, officer training, and K9 units. Supports agencies such as Marana PD, Tucson Airport Authority PD, Oro Valley PD, and Tucson PD.
    • Fundraising and donation management for law enforcement agencies
      Accepts donations to fund life-saving equipment, technology, officer training, and specialized resources for regional law enforcement agencies including Marana PD, Tucson Airport Authority PD, and Oro Valley PD. Supports agencies through established partnerships and eligibility for grant funding.
    • Law Enforcement Agency Network Expansion
      Establishes formal partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies, such as the Marana Police Department, Tucson Airport Authority Police Department, and Oro Valley Police Department, to enable their participation in fundraising events and eligibility for grant funding.
    • Law Enforcement Agency Network Expansion
      Formalizes partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies, such as the Marana Police Department, Tucson Airport Authority Police Department, and Oro Valley Police Department, to enable their participation in fundraising events and eligibility for grant funding.
    • Partnership and Network Expansion for Law Enforcement Support
      Establishes formal partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies, such as the Marana Police Department, Tucson Airport Authority Police Department, and Oro Valley Police Department, to enable their participation in fundraising events and eligibility for grant funding, thereby expanding assistance to these agencies.
    • Partnership development and network expansion
      Formalizes partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies through welcome letters and onboarding, enabling access to fundraising and grant opportunities. Agencies include Marana PD, Tucson Airport Authority PD, Oro Valley PD, and Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
    • Partnership development and network expansion for law enforcement agencies
      Formalizes partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies such as Marana PD, Tucson Airport Authority PD, and Oro Valley PD through welcome letters and inclusion in fundraising networks, expanding access to resources and funding opportunities since 2017.
    • Procurement and provision of critical equipment and K9 units
      Purchases and provides bulletproof vests, bomb detection K9s (including "Lady" and "Belle"), K9 vehicle heat sensors and alarms, technology upgrades, and bicycles for community policing units to support Tucson and regional law enforcement agencies.
    • Procurement and provision of equipment and K9 units
      Purchases and provides critical operational assets for law enforcement, including bomb detection K9s (e.g., "Lady" and "Belle" for Tucson PD), bulletproof vests, K9 vehicle heat sensors and alarms, and bicycles for community police units.
  • Charity Golf Tournament 2 activities
    • Annual "Thank-a-Cop" Golf Tournament
      Organizes an annual golf tournament to support law enforcement, which also includes sponsor recognition.
    • Annual fundraising golf tournament
      Hosts an annual "Thank-a-Cop" golf tournament that includes sponsor recognition through logo placement, social media, signage, and display opportunities to support law enforcement funding efforts.
  • Driver and Equipment Operator Training 2 activities
    • Teen Driver Safety Training
      Offers Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training (START) classes for teen drivers.
    • Youth driver safety training
      Offers Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training (START) classes to improve teen driver safety.
  • Uncategorized 6 activities
    • Annual fundraising events
      Organizes recurring fundraising events, such as the annual "Thank-a-Cop" golf tournament, to support law enforcement programs and equipment needs.
    • Community Safety Events
      Organizes and hosts community-focused events such as a Back-to-school Safety & Health Fair and offers Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training (START) classes for teen drivers.
    • Community Safety and Health Fairs
      Organizes community events such as the Back-to-school Safety & Health Fair at the Marana Police Department.
    • Community Safety and Health Fairs
      Organized a Back-to-school Safety & Health Fair at the Marana Police Department in 2018.
    • Community safety events and outreach
      Organizes community-focused safety and health events, such as the 2018 Back-to-School Safety & Health Fair at Marana PD, to engage the public and promote safety.
    • Community safety events and youth driver education
      Organizes community events such as the Back-to-School Safety & Health Fair and offers Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training (START) classes to promote public safety and responsible driving among teens.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$182K
Contributions & grants$151K83%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1350%
Other revenue$31K
expenses
Total expenses$165K
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead37%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$75K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$326K
Cash$326K
Investments$0
Liabilities$11K
Net assets$316K
Liquid reserves23.6 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue -21.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BONNIE FAIRCLOTH EXECUTIVE DI 40 $70K
relationships · 17

who they work with

  • Facebook Partner — Platform used to share updates and news about START classes.
  • ICCU Partner — Gold Sponsor of the 2026 Thank-a-Cop Golf Tournament.
  • Irondog K9 International Funder — Donated to help fund the purchase of heat alarms/sensors for TPD K9 vehicles.
  • Marana Police Partner — Assists the department with equipment, technology, and training.
  • Marana Police Department Partner — Partner agency eligible to participate in SALEF fundraising and receive grant funding for equipment, technology, and training.
  • Oro Valley Police Partner — Assists the department with equipment, technology, and training.
  • Oro Valley Police Department Partner — Partnership confirmed through official welcome letter; SALEF accepts donations on behalf of OVPD.
  • Pima College Police Partner — Assists the department with equipment, technology, and training.
  • Pima County Sheriff's Department Partner — Assists the Sheriff's Department with community relations and raises funds for equipment, technology, and training.
  • Pima County Sheriff’s Department Partner — Assists the department with equipment, technology, and training.
  • Southern Arizona Musicians for Healing foundation Funder — Received a donation from the foundation.
  • Tucson Airport Authority Police Department Partner — Partner agency for which SALEF accepts donations and provides support for equipment, technology, and training.
  • Tucson Airport Police Partner — Assists the department with equipment, technology, and training.
  • Tucson PD Partner — Provides K9s and K9 vehicle equipment to the Tucson Police Department.
  • Tucson Police Department Partner — Assists the department with equipment, technology, and training.
  • Tucson Police Department Partner — Received funding for K9 vehicles from SALEF, supported by a donation from Irondog K9 International.
  • University of Arizona Police Partner — Assists the department with equipment, technology, and training.