The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of a new endowment fund by former Sheriff Tim Donnellon that will assist the local law enforcement community both now and in the future.

“The people that supported me throughout my career, I want them to be able to be satisfied when they see this fund and know that excess funds from that campaign check they wrote years ago is going to a great cause,” Donnellon said. “The fund will help lower the financial burden of the police academy and could support special programs for the current and future law enforcement community. I couldn’t be more excited to see folks take advantage of this funding in the future,” Donnellon said.

For nearly 33 years, former St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon worked in various law enforcement roles across the county. He served as Sheriff for 12 years before retiring in 2020 and contributed the remainder of the funds in his re-election account to establish the Sheriff Donnellon Law Enforcement Fund earlier this year.

The law enforcement fund will support individuals attending the police academy or college students with a criminal justice major who intend to become a law enforcement officer. The fund will also support special programs and projects for current, future or past members of local law enforcement.

Harold Burns, who worked as treasurer during Sheriff Donnellon’s campaign and is a former board member of the Community Foundation, says Tim was dedicated to serving the people and law enforcement community across St. Clair County throughout his career.

“Many community members over the years supported Tim and his efforts as former Sheriff of St. Clair County and through that support, he was able to create the new law enforcement fund at the Community Foundation,” Burns said. “Tim has always put the community first and, even after retiring, is still front and center looking for ways to support the law enforcement community and the residents of St. Clair County.”

The Sheriff Donnellon Law Enforcement Fund is an endowed fund at the Community Foundation meaning the principal amount of the fund is restricted and is intended to last forever. The fund will provide long-term annual support for local law enforcement through grants and scholarships.

To support or learn about other funds such as the Sheriff Donnellon Law Enforcement Fund, visit stclairfoundation.org/funds.