Our Purpose
Pillars of protection.
Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation is a nonprofit public safety organization that prioritizes opportunities to support philanthropists, serve first responders, and secure the community through purposeful public safety endeavors on the island of Palm Beach.
As advocates for public safety, we aim to enhance the technology and equipment used by the departments, provide financial assistance to first responders and their families, and educate the community to proactively prevent emergency situations.
Mission
To support the Town of Palm Beach First Responders and the community at large, empowering peace of mind for them to know that their families and futures are safe.
For nearly two decades, the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation has been a cornerstone of safety and progress in the Town of Palm Beach. Through strategic investments and unwavering support, the Foundation not only strengthens the lives of the town’s first responders but also funds critical purchases and programs that enhance the community’s well-being so it remains at the forefront of public safety innovation.
How we're supporting this year
At the Foundation, our mission goes beyond ensuring safety—we are dedicated to building a stronger, more resilient Palm Beach. With a commitment to our local heroes and a passion for philanthropy, we create impactful programs that support first responders, their families, and the future of public safety on the island. Together, we champion those who protect and serve, ensuring a safer tomorrow for all.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Thank you for visiting our Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation website. As the new season begins, we’re filled with excitement and anticipation about what lies ahead, and we’re eager to share all that we’ve been working on during the summer months. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of supporters like you, we’ve made significant progress on projects that will shape the future of public safety in our community.
The Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation has remained steadfast in its mission for nearly two decades, providing vital support to the dedicated police and fire-rescue professionals who serve and protect us. In the last five years alone, we’ve tripled our contributions, a testament to the passion and commitment of our Board of Directors and loyal supporters.
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to announce the 19th Annual Police & Fire Rescue Ball on January 18, 2025, at the Mar-a-Lago Club, co-chaired by the incredible team of Amy and John Phelan, and Jeff and Nicola Marcus. During the Ball, we will proudly present the prestigious Palm Tree Award to Steve and Andrea Wynn for their outstanding contributions to both our mission and the broader Palm Beach community.
In addition to our event preparations, we’ve also been hard at work updating and enhancing our Foundation’s digital presence. We’re excited to announce the relaunch of our website, which now offers a more interactive and visually engaging experience. Our new platform will showcase the inspiring stories of our local heroes and serve as a hub for all Foundation news, initiatives, and upcoming events. We encourage you to visit often to stay connected.
This summer, we also launched several transformative initiatives to further support our first responders. We introduced a life insurance benefit for all police and fire personnel, who will each receive a $500,000 term policy, ensuring long-term financial security for their families.
Additionally, we donated $700,000 for advanced surveillance cameras to enhance community protection, and we allocated more funds than ever for scholarships to support the education and vocational training of first responder families. The highly anticipated, state-of-the-art Palm Beach Public Safety Command Center, a nearly $1M investment by the Foundation is soon to launch.
We are equally excited about our new “We’re on a Mission” advertising campaign, which highlights the impact of nearly two decades of strategic investments in public safety and community well-being.
As we kick off the season, our Safeguard Palm Beach division will continue its work promoting safety and education, with over $200,000 allocated annually for public safety programs and community events. Please be sure to mark your calendars for Palm Beach Safety Day on December 7, 2024—a free, family-friendly event open to the public at Marina Park, adjacent to the Town of Palm Beach Marina.
None of these achievements would be possible without the dedication of our supporters, Board of Directors, and staff. We are grateful for your continued partnership and look forward to sharing more exciting updates and accomplishments with you throughout the season.
Here’s to another year of making a lasting impact together!
Best Regards,
John F. Scarpa
Chairman & Co-Founder
Tim Moran
Vice Chairman & Co-Founder
2000
John Scarpa and Tim Moran became acquainted and became members of the Fraternal Order of Police Associates
2006
The Palm Beach Police Foundation was established
2009
Town of Palm Beach Town Council froze salaries and eliminated pensions for first responders. The PB Police & Fire Foundation increased its support
2014
David Mack, Tim Moran and John Scarpa founded the Council of 100 to bring the community and first responders together
2019
The Palm Beach Police Foundation decided to incorporate Palm Beach Fire Rescue and changed its name to the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation, providing support for all sworn and civilian public safety personnel serving the Town of Palm Beach
The Foundation assumed management of Palm Beach Crime Watch, which eventually was rebranded to Safeguard Palm Beach, expanding public safety education and crime prevention initiatives
2020
When the pandemic hit, the Foundation had to cancel events and focused all
efforts into emergency relief aid for the community
2021
The Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation launched the Preston Bernick Retention Program for all first responders, designed to strengthen long-term staffing and support the retention of highly qualified public safety personnel.
2024
Established the PBPFF Life Insurance program started providing fully funded life insurance policies for all full-time police and fire personnel, offering a tax-free death benefit of $500,000.
2025
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary.
At the turn of the millennium, John Scarpa and Tim Moran became acquainted on the greens of Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach County. With a shared history and passion for corporate, community and servant leadership, the two gentlemen found purpose as active members in the Fraternal Order of Police Associates.
Their experience within the Fraternal Order gave them the unique privilege to bond with extraordinary men and women that have dedicated their lives in the service and protection of others. It also provided an opportunity for them to hear the authentic stories shared by first responders within a supportive, empathetic, and off-duty environment. These personal narratives helped to shape and inspire a greater vision, one that our foundation co-founders could not ignore.
In 2006, John Scarpa and Tim Moran established the Palm Beach Police Foundation to serve the Palm Beach Police Department. An initial board of directors was formed with prominent leaders, such as David Mack, Michael Stein, and Bill Koch, that provided unwavering guidance and support.
In the beginning, our foundation specialized in the centralization and management of charitable gifts to the police department. The funds were utilized to create scholarships for the children of the force, engage the community through the annual Policeman’s Ball, and supplement the financial and operational needs of the department.
In the overabundance of community involvement and generosity, our foundation’s outreach quickly expanded and evolved to encompass public safety across the island. This collective mentality prompted the inclusion of the Palm Beach Fire-Rescue department within our service model.
By joining forces, the foundation continues to build towards a united, empowered, and safe community through the proactive support of our first responders, education of residents and business, and advocacy within public policy.