QuikTrip Invests $500,000 to Advance Public Safety in Charlotte
Published on March 18, 2026
Charlotte, N.C. – (Wednesday, March 18, 2026) – QuikTrip (QT), one of the nation’s leading convenience and gasoline retailers, today formally announced a $500,000 donation to the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Foundation, strengthening a long‑standing partnership dedicated to advancing public safety and supporting the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). The announcement and check presentation were held inside CMPD’s Command Center at the Law Enforcement Center.
QuikTrip’s investment will provide critical resources, technology and programs that enhance officer safety, expand community engagement and support CMPD employees across the department. This contribution further deepens the collaborative relationship between QuikTrip, the Police Foundation and CMPD—one focused on building safer, stronger communities through shared commitment and partnership.
"QuikTrip is committed to being a responsible partner by making meaningful investments that enhance the safety and well-being of the communities we serve,” said QuikTrip Charlotte Division Operations Manager Nick Gracek. “One of our priorities is to ensure that first responders have the resources they need to protect our communities, and we are proud and honored to support the heroes of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.”
CMPD Chief of Police Estella D. Patterson expressed deep appreciation for the donation, emphasizing its impact on the department’s ability to innovate and serve the community.
“QuikTrip’s extraordinary $500,000 donation is a powerful investment in public safety. Support like this accelerates innovation, strengthens our partnership with the community and provides critical tools and programs that public funding alone cannot deliver,” Chief Patterson shared. “We are deeply grateful to QuikTrip and the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Foundation for their leadership and unwavering commitment to helping CMPD serve this community with excellence. This is more than a financial contribution—it is a statement of confidence in the work our employees do every day and the future we are building together.”
The Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Foundation will direct the grant toward high‑impact initiatives that accelerate CMPD’s strategic priorities, including technology innovation, community‑focused programming and officer wellness.
“The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation is immensely grateful for QuikTrip’s monumental $500,000 investment in our community’s safety,” noted Executive Director Katrina Collins. “This generous contribution allows the Foundation to continue its mission of providing the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department resources necessary to keep employees and our community safe.”
The Foundation’s work has helped CMPD adopt innovative tools and strategies that improve response times, strengthen investigations, and support proactive crime‑reduction efforts. It also funds programs that deepen community engagement and highlight the people behind the badge, reinforcing transparency and connection across Charlotte. Through these efforts, the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Foundation continues to serve as a vital partner to CMPD—ensuring officers have the resources, support and technology needed to keep Charlotte’s neighborhoods safe and thriving.
About QuikTrip
QuikTrip Corporation is a privately held company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1958, QuikTrip has grown to a more than $11 billion company with 1,200 stores in 21 states. QuikTrip gives back to the communities it serves, donating five percent of net profits to charitable organizations in those communities. With more than 32,000 employees, QuikTrip has consistently been ranked as one of the top convenience store marketers in product quality and friendly service.
Since opening its first Charlotte location in April 2012, QuikTrip has grown to have 21 stores and 550 employees in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and 43 total stores in North Carolina.
To find out more about QuikTrip, visit quiktrip.com.
About Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation
The Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening public safety by providing critical resources, technology, and programs that the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Department cannot fund through public budgets alone. Supported by Charlotte‑area businesses and community partners, the Foundation invests in innovative tools, officer safety and wellness initiatives, training, and community‑focused programs that enhance trust and collaboration across the city. Its mission is to ensure CMPD has the advanced capabilities, equipment, and support needed to keep Charlotte’s neighborhoods safe and thriving.
Learn more about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation at charlottepolicefoundation.org.
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