Housed at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Fund Supports the Educational Dreams of Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers
The scholarship was funded through The McDavid Group Charities’ annual Golf for Cops Gala, held this past December at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter. Proceeds from the event provide long-term educational support to families who have endured unimaginable loss in service to public safety. The organization’s vision extends beyond immediate assistance, focusing on creating lasting impact through education and comprehensive family support.
“Every dollar raised represents more than just financial support – it’s an investment in futures and a promise to these families that their loved one’s sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Tanya Barrett, Executive Director of The McDavid Group Charities and surviving spouse of fallen Virginia State Trooper Mark Barrett. “We’re not just helping students attend college; we’re enabling them to build the futures their fallen parents dreamed of for them.”
The McDavid Group Charities distinguishes itself through comprehensive survivor support, including:
- $40,000 in guaranteed education funding over four years for each eligible student
- Counseling and support programs offered through C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors)
- Ongoing advocacy for enhanced educational benefits for survivors nationwide
Jim McDavid, Founder & President of The McDavid Group Charities, added: “These brave men and women in blue who rise each morning do so not for glory or financial gain, but from a profound calling to serve and protect their communities. Every day, they step beyond their thresholds facing the unknown, uncertain if they’ll return home to their loved ones. If we truly wish to invest in our future, we must support the children who have made the ultimate sacrifice—those who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Their resilience deserves our unwavering commitment.”
“We are proud to partner with The McDavid Group Charities in honoring and supporting the families of fallen law enforcement officers,” said Danita R. DeHaney, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. “Their unwavering commitment to these families’ futures is both powerful and inspiring.”
The Community Foundation’s Scholarship Program, now celebrating its 40th year, offers need- and merit-based scholarships to graduating seniors in Palm Beach and Martin Counties enrolling in college, university, trade, or vocational programs. Since 1985, the Foundation has awarded nearly $18 million in scholarships through more than 3,200 individual awards. In 2024 alone, 117 scholarships totaling $1.3 million were awarded.
