Preparing for July - Law Enforcement Child Month

This site exists to support Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) & Auxiliary leaders and their families by sharing timely resources for Law Enforcement Child Month, as well as offering year-round access to GI’s program and exclusive opportunities for FOP teens.

Key Next Steps

Deadline: May 8th

We’re asking all Local Lodge Presidents and other leaders to complete the contact information verification form.

Fill Out Contact Info
View 2026 Goals
The National Fraternal Order of Police, the Auxiliary, and Gratitude Initiative (GI) have joined forces to build a nationwide movement celebrating law enforcement children and raising awareness of the sacrifices made by families behind the badge.

Raising Awareness - Celebrating the Children Behind the Badge

Our long-term vision is to build Law Enforcement Child Month into a nationwide annual movement that unites families, agencies, and communities in actively supporting and celebrating the children behind the badge.

An online toolkit will be available with FREE resources for law enforcement agencies, FOP lodges, families, and children to make participation easy. Ready-to-use items such as official proclamations, social media templates, shirt designs, recognition certificates, simple event ideas, and more that departments can easily implement will ensure that your law enforcement children feel valued. The site will also serve as a year-round resource center, helping build a lasting culture of appreciation for the families behind the badge.

The online toolkit will be operational no later than June 1 and all FOP lodge leaders will be notified via email. We will post the link for the toolkit here so it will be easy to share. We will provide additional information in this section at a later date.

Raising Funds - Honoring Service. Empowering Futures.

We have created an easy way for grateful supporters to join our mission and show their gratitude for their local law enforcement families. Our fundraising provider makes it simple for donors to support and spread the word. This campaign invites local citizens and businesses to come together in support of the children of law enforcement officers in their own communities. Starting at just $9.11 – individuals and organizations can help provide meaningful support and opportunity for the children who serve alongside the badge.

Fundraising Campaigns - National & State/Local Level Campaigns

We have created an easy way for grateful citizens to join our mission and show their gratitude for their local law enforcement families.

Nationwide Fundraising

  • Funds raised at the national level will be used to:
    • Establish a Law Enforcement Child Scholarship endowment fund.
    • Provide additional funding for GI’s program for LEO teens.
  • Lexipol and Police1 have partnered with us in establishing the law enforcement child month. Through their vast network, Lexipol is enlisting the support of national and state law enforcement organizations to join our efforts.
  • Polie 1 will be promoting Law Enforcement Child Month across their platforms in support of our awareness and fundraising objectives.

State/Local Lodge and Auxiliary Fundraising

  • Benefiting local lodge teens local lodges have the opportunity to help raise funds to provide GI’s program for the children of their lodge members.
  • Our fundraising platform makes it easy for lodges to engage members, friends, and the community to support their local LEO children.
  • Simple to use tools including to promote the campaign via email, text, and social media.
  • Proceeds from funds raised by a lodge directly benefit the children of that lodge.
  • Individual One Time or Recurring Donations: $9.11
  • Business Level Donations: $911-$1,911 and higher.
  • Donation incentives from GI:
    • GI has secured thousands of dollars in raffle prizes to create additional excitement and engagement for individual donors.
    • GI will provide custom certificates of appreciation for each business donating in support of lodges for your leaders to present.

July 2026 Goals
Launching Law Enforcement Child Month

This is a new initiative for all of us – but the children of our law enforcement families deserve our very best. We are asking every state and local lodge to take simple, coordinated actions to help ensure the inaugural Law Enforcement Child Month is a success nationwide.

We’re asking each lodge to lead locally through these simple actions:

  • Share a proclamation.
  • Post and share the ready-made social media content provided in the online toolkit or create your own.
  • Engage with local law enforcement agencies and encourage their involvement.
  • Partner with departments to hold a simple event celebrating the children of their officers.
  • Encourage each lodge member to donate $9.11 and invite three other friends or family members to do the same.
  • Ask at least three local businesses to donate to support your lodge’s children.


If we ask, our communities will respond.

Next Steps for Lodge Leadership

  1. Provide us with your most up to date contact info on the form below. *
  2. GI will send you a copy of this document to pass on to your local lodge leaders.
  3. Ask your local lodge leaders to also complete the contact form by May 8th.


*We take law enforcement privacy seriously. Information collected will be used solely for Law Enforcement Child Month and providing info about GI’s programs. All data is securely protected and will never be shared or sold.

Fill Out Contact Info

FOP Families Enrollment Information:

The children of FOP families receive priority enrollment into GI’s College Success Academy. Program. Who Qualifies – Children in grades 8-12th of full-time and retired FOP members.
  • FOP members of a special enrollment site, which will be accessible via the link below beginning in July.
  • GI will use an FOP member’s national membership number to waive all proof of full-time peace officer employment and proof of child’s dependency.
  • GI has the operational capacity to enroll 3,000 new 8 -12 grade students each year, limited only by funds available.
  • FOP families can find detailed program and enrollment information at gratitudeinitiative.org/fopenroll beginning July 1st.
Enrollment Information

About Gratitude Initiative

One of a Kind Program + Worldwide Impact

For more than a decade, Gratitude Initiative (GI) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 – has transformed the lives of military and veteran children through its College Success Academy (CSA): a college and career preparatory program serving students in grades 8-12 through college graduation.

GI’s program is provided free of charge to the families we serve. GI currently serves the children of active-duty military, veteran, disabled veteran, Gold Star, and National Guard/Reserve families.

GI’s College Success Academy Program is the most comprehensive career and college counseling, PSAT/SAT/ACT test prep, financial aid counseling, and academic improvement program available today. The program is delivered online to serve a family anywhere around the globe and is supported by a team of degreed experts who work directly with each student and their parents via email, phone, and chat.

Our proven program delivers unmatched results, ensuring every student attends the right college, for the right career, at the right price – and graduates on time.

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military and veteran teens served globally
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accepted to their top two college choices
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Average annual financial aid awarded per student by their universities
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College freshman retention rate (vs. 67% national average)

Expanding the Mission: Law Enforcement

At GI, we believe there is no greater way to honor the service of our law enforcement families than to help their children succeed in college, career, and life. A college degree doesn’t just affect their child, it positively impacts the entire family for generations to come.

In July of 2026, GI will expand its program to serve the children of all full-time peace officers.

A Reputation Built on Integrity & Trust

Thanks to the success of our students, GI has earned a trusted reputation and built rare, high-access partnerships across the military-connected community.

GI is an official benevolent organization of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and works directly with School Programs Offices across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.

Top nonprofit ratings:

  • 4-Star by Charity Navigator
  • Platinum by Candid

Thank you FOP and Auxiliary Members

Anthony Conner
Committee Chair
Nebraska State FOP President

Chet Effler
North Carolina State FOP President

Glenda Lehmann
National FOP Auxiliary President

Marty Melton
GI Board Member

Ryan Rhoades
Idaho State FOP Vice President

Stephanie Ross
GI Communications Coordinator

David Russell
GI Chief Financial Officer

Lee Sechrist
GI Executive Director

Keith Turney
NFOP Director of Education and Outreach

Amanda Wood
Kansas State FOP President

Thank you for supporting Law Enforcement children!

If you have questions, need assistance, or would like to contribute to the Law Enforcement Child Month development, please email us.
Contact Us

Lodge Leadership

Please provide GI with your contact information in order to receive up-to-date information and resources for Law Enforcement Child Month.

FOP Enrollment
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*Privacy Statement: Information will only be used in support of Law Enforcement Child Month activities and to provide your lodge with details regarding GI’s program for your lodge families. Information will not be sold or shared.