Marine Corps–Law Enforcement Foundation

The Marine Corps–Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF) is a 501(c)3 charity that provides scholarships to children of Marines and federal law enforcement personnel killed on duty or who died under extraordinary circumstances while serving the United States at home or abroad. It is listed as one of “America’s best charities” by the Independent Charities of America.

Work
Since its founding in 1995, the MC-LEF has distributed over US$47 million to eligible children in addition to supporting numerous other related programs. Children of Marine or Federal law enforcement personnel who die while on active duty are eligible to receive $30,000 in maturity value EE Savings Bonds.

Throughout history, the foundation has continued to expand its scope and efforts. After September 11, 2001, it provided scholarships to children of both civilians and military personnel who died at the Pentagon and on the American Airlines flight. Other beneficiaries have included the children of those who died as a result of the bombing of the USS Cole, of the Air Force personnel killed at Khobar Towers, and of the passengers on the Space Shuttle Columbia. During 2003 the organization provided scholarships to the children of any member of the Coalition who died in the invasion of Iraq or Afghanistan. This resulted in grants of over $12 million to children of Army soldiers and soldiers from Great Britain, as well as to the child of one soldier from Poland and Italy.

Another core program of the MC-LEF is the Marine Assist program, which provides free plastic surgery and dental services to Marine veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

MC-LEF is also a key supporter of the Segs4Vets program, which provides Segways to military personnel who have injured or disabled on duty.

Leadership
Aside from one part-time employee, the organization is run entirely by volunteers.

Directors of the foundation include all the living Commandants of the Marine Corps, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace and Commissioner of the NYPD Raymond Kelly, as well as talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh has donated millions of dollars to the organization, most notably the $4.2 million generated through the eBay auction of the letter drafted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid condemning statements Limbaugh made on-air.

Location
The Marine Corps–Law Enforcement Foundation is based in New York City, with additional chapters in Arizona, Atlantic City, Philadelphia, San Diego and St. Louis. Philadelphia MCLEF Chapter http://www.mclefphila.org