Frequently Asked Questions

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

  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. What distinguishes the Benefit Fund from other deserving charities?

    The Benefit Fund is a volunteer based organization, with a dedicated Board of Directors committed to the charity's mission and beneficiaries. Pride, honor and a strong belief that New Yorkers need to help those families who sacrificed so much - is the foundation of our success.

  3. What were the Benefit Fund's primary program service accomplishments for the past year?

    By 2011, the Benefit Fund will have distributed more than $123 million to approximately 700 widows, widowers and children of Police, Fire, Port Authority and EMS who died in the line of duty.  The Benefit Fund also provides a network of community support and special events through out the year. 

  4. 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.

  5. How many families are helped by the Benefit Fund?

    In 1987 we provided 320 families with annual financial assistance and by 2011, 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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 go directly to the beneficiaries.

  8. Are you affiliated with any city, state, or federal organizations or unions?

    Although the Police, Fire, Port Authority and EMS Departments and Unions are advocates for our mission.  The Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) charity. All donations are private funds. The Benefit Fund does not receive any federal, state or city dollars.

    Please answer our call because "New Takes Care of it's Own".  

  9. How can I learn more about the Benefit Fund's volunteer and sponsorship opportunities?

    There are a number of ways you can get involved with the charity. You can become a "New York Takes Care of It's Own®" Ambassador and encourage your friends and associates to support our cause. Call today to recieve your personal marketing package by contacting Linda Giammona at 212.735.4505 or linda.giammona@answerthecall.org.

    Corporations can get their employees involved by simple fundraising incentives (ie. "dress down day") or the charitable giving department can choose to sponsor the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund at one of our family events or Annual Benefit Gala. Matching Gift programs are another way to support our cause and maximize your tax deduction. To learn more, contact Linda Giammona at 212.735.4505 or linda.giammona@answerthecall.org.   

    Volunteers keep our expenses low and enable us to maximize every dollar that is donated.  Volunteer today and make the Benefit Fund your charity of choice.  Help us make a difference in the lives of the families that have given New Yorkers so much. To learn more, contact Linda Giammona at 212.735.4505 or linda.giammona@answerthecall.org.   

  10. How long has the benefit fund been in existence?

    The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children's Benefit Fund, Inc. was established in 1985 by Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub.

  11. How can I ensure my employer matches my gift?

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. What is the Benefit Fund's policy for determining whether an officer has been killed in the line of duty?

    N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund

    Line of Duty Death Policy

                It is the purpose of the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund. Inc. (the “Benefit Fund”)  to expend, contribute, disburse and otherwise dispose of its money, income and other property to aid survivors of New York police and fire personnel who are killed in the line of duty.[1]

                The term “Department” means the New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department (including emergency medical services (“EMS”)) and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as applicable.

                The term “Officer” means (i) a police officer employed by the New York City Police Department, (ii) a firefighter or EMS technician employed by New York City Fire Department and (iii) a police officer employed by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as applicable.

                The term “line of duty" means any action which an Officer, while an active member of a Department, is obligated or authorized by law, rule, regulation, written condition of employment service to perform, or for which such Officer is compensated by such Department. 

                The term "killed in the line of duty" means, an Officer has died within six months after, and as a direct result of, a personal injury event sustained in the line of duty.  Deaths attributed to medical conditions like heart attacks or cancer generally are not included.  An example of an exception is a heart attack which occurs during, or in the immediate aftermath of, physical exertion required by any action which an Officer is taking while in the line of duty. 

                In determining whether an Officer was killed in the line of duty as recognized by the Benefit Fund, at a minimum the Benefit Fund requires (i) evidence that such Officer is eligible for inclusion on the applicable Department’s “wall of honor” and (ii) certification from the union associated with such Department that such union has declared the Officer’s death a line of duty death as recognized by such union.

                Deaths that are covered by the Benefit Fund generally include, without limitation:

    1)  a police officer is shot and killed while pursuing a suspect;

    2) a firefighter is killed by flames while fighting a fire;

    2)  a police officer dies of a heart attack while pursuing a suspect.

                Deaths that are not covered by the Benefit Fund generally include, without limitation:

    1)  a police officer or firefighter dies of cancer;

    2)  a police officer or firefighter dies of a heart attack while on vacation;

    3)  a retired police officer or firefighter dies while performing the duties of an active police officer or firefighter, respectively;

    4)  a police officer or firefighter dies of natural causes;

    5)  a police officer or firefighter commits suicide.

                This policy serves as a guideline by which the Board of the Benefit Fund determines whether an Officer has been killed in the line of duty.  It is in the exclusive, non-reviewable discretion of the Benefit Fund to determine whether an Officer has been killed in the line of duty as recognized by the Benefit Fund.