Serving Those Who Protect Others
Our Mission
Our Community,
Our Responsibility
Our mission is to give back to our first responders, especially those who are injured, terminally ill, or killed in the line of duty. We accomplish this by executing annual fundraising opportunities with the intent of building first responders social awareness within Kootenai County and our surrounding community, articulating the critical needs of first responders who experience unforeseen catastrophes through grant making. Finally, we support the dependents of first responders with merit-based scholarship towards the life affirming event of a child graduating high school and contributing to our community as they enter higher education opportunities.
Did You Know?
5 Years
The average lifespan of a police officer after retirement
6th
The ranking of police, firefighters, corrections workers, and others in protective services on the CDC's list for suicidality by occupational group
12 Years Less
The average lifespan of a police officer compared to the general populace
1 In 3
The estimated amount of first responders that develop behavioral health conditions, including PTSD
Why Red & Blue Foundation?
Our Impact
By the Numbers
We're no longer just another donation, but the steady hand that guides people through a crisis. Working to provide education, coordinated resource management as well as any necessary monies to offer a complete resolution and ultimately peace of mind during terrible events.
A global approach...it's what the founders talked about when it started.
About Us
Your Questions,
Our Answers
We receive multiple questions regarding our organization. Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Our organization was created to support and assist first responders who are injured, terminally ill, or killed in the line of duty. The funds we raise go to support these first responders and their families.
We are unique in that we also support those who are usually not covered by insurance, which includes volunteer firefighters, fiancées of first responders, and stepchildren of first responders. We also include agencies who normally don’t participate in fundraising efforts, such as probation and parole officers.
Outside of donations, our funds come from fundraisers and voluntary payroll deductions from some of our first responders in the area. A significant amount of funds come from members of our organization and our first responders.
$10,000 of the funds raised each year are awarded to graduating seniors of first responders. The rest of the funds are used to meet the needs of first responders in our communities. These include emergencies such as injuries and Line of Duty Deaths (LODD) as well as long term illnesses like cancer.
All unused funds are held in reserve for the next first responder in need. This allows us to respond quickly to sudden emergencies that are otherwise difficult to fund.
We have a contact at each department in the area they can go to, or they can come directly to one of the members on our Board of Directors. Someone else can also bring us their name if the first responder in need does not want to do it themselves.
It’s a case by case basis. If it was a Line of Duty Death (LODD), then we do what we can to meet immediate needs. If the first responder has been gone for awhile, it might be outside of our scope.
Currently, our only fundraising event is our Annual Memorial Golf Tournament held in August. We also participate in other events including 24 Hour Peak Bike Ride, Pennies For Protectors, Community Sponsored Fundraising Beneficiaries, and Holidays & Heroes. We are planning our first annual gala for 2024; more information regarding this event will come soon.
To learn more about the events we host, click here.
We have several ways you can support our first responders and their families. Donations are always appreciated, and you can choose how much and how frequently you want to donate. Outside of donations, you can always volunteer at one of our events. Businesses also have the option to help sponsor our events.
Your Support Matters
Get Involved
We have several ways for you to help our first responders in Kootenai County and surrounding communities.
Donations
We have several donation options available for your consideration. In addition to a one-time donation option, we have three tiers of reoccurring donations.
Sponsorships
We put on a variety of fundraisers to both show our first responders in Kootenai County that we appreciate them, as well as raise money to support our mission of helping first responders in our county in the event of a catastrophic event.
We do this in part by partnering with supportive sponsors in our area to make our events as successful as possible. If you would like to partner with us, please reach out to see what sponsorship levels we have available. We’d be happy to have you!
Volunteer
Our fundraisers would not be possible without the volunteer efforts of our community members. If you would like to help at an event, please view our current opportunities and sign up. We would love to have you!