ENGLEWOOD, FL (June 22, 2011) – The Denise Amber Lee Foundation today announced it has received 501c3 status by the Internal Revenue Service.  Prior to receiving this designation, the Foundation operated under the umbrella of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation for fundraising purposes.

Now that the Denise Amber Lee Foundation can directly solicit funds for its operating budget, it has identified three initial program priorities:

Public Education Fund. Through the creation of printed publications, video productions, speaking engagements, educational seminars, and public service announcements, this fund will allow member of the foundation to reach out to the public on the importance of a well trained, well managed 9-1-1 center and the horrifying consequences of 9-1-1 system failure.

9-1-1 Training & Professional Development Fund. This fund would be used to supply grants or scholarships to 9-1-1 call takers, dispatchers, trainers and administrators to attend initial and ongoing training, to become licensed or to attend industry conferences.

Financial Relief Fund. This fund would provide assistance to families that suffer tragic outcomes of 9-1-1 failures similar to that of Nathan Lee.  This assistance could include helping with funeral, childcare, housing, education and medical expenses for qualifying families.

“Receiving our 501c3 status is a big milestone for the Denise Amber Lee Foundation, and putting more of a structure behind our non-profit will help us better-fulfill our mission of making sure Denise’s tragedy doesn’t have to be repeated,” said founder Nathan Lee.  “In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be sharing several other announcements about the Foundation, including the appointment of the Board of Directors.”

About the Denise Amber Lee Foundation

The mission of the Denise Amber Lee Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, is to promote and support public safety through uniform training, standardized protocols, defined measurable outcomes and technological advances in the 9-1-1 system.  Established in June 2008, the foundation seeks to use the emotional power of this senseless tragedy to promote and encourage the use of technology, training, and procedures to reduce the occurrences of human error.  The foundation is determined to channel and focus the public outrage of these tragic events to drive rapid change to public policy and procedures.  For more information, please visit www.deniseamberlee.org.

Media Contact:

Mark Lee

941-716-4343 phone

[email protected]