Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the Benefit Fund do?
2. Who benefits from my donation?
3. How many families are helped by the Benefit Fund?
4. How can I make a difference and make a gift?
5. How can I ensure my employer matches my gift?
6. What percent of my donation goes to the beneficiaries?
7. How long has the benefit fund been in existence?
8. How can I learn more about the Benefit Fund's volunteer and sponsorship opportunities?
9. How can I get a copy of this organization’s financial report?
10. How can I learn more about how my donation is being used?
11. Are you registered as a viable charity? If so, how can I verify?
12. Are you affiliated or supported by the Firefighter or Police Unions?
13. What distinguishes the Benefit Fund from other deserving charities?
14. What were the Benefit Fund's primary program service accomplishments for the past year?

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1. What does the Benefit Fund do?
   The Benefit Fund's mission is to provide assistance to the families of New York City Police Officers, Firefighters, Port Authority Officers and EMS personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. The Benefit Fund gives financial assistance to grieving families immediately after they lose their loved one. Our goal is to raise enough funds to provide meaningful annual distributions to our beneficiaries for the remainder of their lives.
2. Who benefits from my donation?
   Though the charity was initially created to assist the families of fallen police officers and firefighters, after the events of September 11, the charter was expanded to include the families of Port Authority officers and EMS.
3. How many families are helped by the Benefit Fund?
   Starting in 1987 we provided 320 families with annual financial assistance and by 2007, we made the same commitment to nearly 700 families. Our need has certainly grown, but our mission remains pure. Help children and spouses who lost a loved one, charged with the task of keeping OUR families safe.
4. How can I make a difference and make a gift?
   You can make a gift online,
   or call Linda Giammona, 212.735.4505
   or print and complete gift form, then fax to 212.310.8808
   or print and mail completed gift form to:
   

   New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Childrens’ Benefit Fund, Inc.
   General Post Office
   PO Box 26837
   New York, NY 10087-6837
   

   For more information please contact us.

5. How can I ensure my employer matches my gift?
   Contact Linda Giammona at 212.735.4505 or linda.giammona@answerthecall.org.
6. What percent of my donation goes to the beneficiaries?
   Relying upon its strong base of volunteers, the Benefit Fund operates with minimal administrative overhead. Approximately 97% of donations goes directly to the beneficiaries.
7. How long has this organization been around?
   The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children's Benefit Fund, Inc. was established in 1985 by Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub.
8. How can I learn more about the Benefit Fund's volunteer and sponsorship opportunities?
   Contact Linda Giammona at 212.735.4505 or linda.giammona@answerthecall.org.
9. How can I get a copy of this organization’s financial report?
   A copy of the Benefit Fund's most recent audited financial statements are available by clicking here. A copy of the Benefit Fund's latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from the Benefit Fund or from the New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer,120 Broadway, New York, New York 10271.
10. How can I learn more about how my donation is being used?
    A copy of the Benefit Fund's most recent audited financial statements are available here. The Benefit Fund currently does not provide any additional information to its donors regarding the use of donations.
11. Are you registered as a viable charity? If so, how can I verify?
    Yes. The Benefit Fund is registered as a charitable organization in New York, California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey and files an annual report with these states.
12. Are you affiliated or supported by the Firefighter or Police Unions?
    The Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) charity that is not affiliated with the Firefighter or Police department unions.
13. What distinguishes the Benefit Fund from other deserving charities?
    The Benefit Fund is a volunteer based organization, with a solid Board of Directors committed to its mission and beneficiaries. Pride, honor and a strong belief that we need to help those families who help us - is the foundation of our success.
14. What were the Benefit Fund's primary program service accomplishments for the past year?
    This past October, the Benefit Fund distributed more than $9 million to approximately 700 widows, widowers and children of our fallen heroes.

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