A grant from the Foundation is intended as a source of last resort, to be sought only when the family or individual requesting assistance has explored all other possibilities of help from family, friends, savings, public assistance programs, or any other resources. It is intended to be a temporary help during a time of crisis.

Assistance from the Foundation is intended to be a one-time gift. In extraordinary circumstances, the Foundation may decide to help an individual or family more than one time, but that will be exceptional.

A grant from the Foundation is intended to bridge a gap, meaning that the Foundation should be able to foresee the possibility of individual or family stability due to the temporary relief provided by the grant.

Eligible expenses include:

• Lodging
• Food
• Clothing
• Medical treatment
• Transportation needs
• Funeral expenses
• Loss of employment/loss of family wage earner
• Severe hardship resulting from natural disaster or force majeure

Requests not eligible for Foundation funds include:

• Paying off credit cards (Exceptions can be made when an individual has had to use a credit card in a crisis or emergency.)
• Legal expenses, child support, garnishment payments, or payment of fines
• Housing relocation, unless the relocation is necessary due to fire, natural disaster, eviction or other unavoidable reason
• School fees or tuition
• Business ventures or investments

The Foundation was established to meet Emergency and Short Term Needs, rather than Long Term or Chronic Needs. Eligible needs are defined as:

• Emergency: These are immediate documented needs prompted by unforeseen or unforeseeable situations. The Committee may choose to address these needs so long as they fall within the boundaries of need by type and category.
• Short Term: These are documented needs that represent situations or conditions that are three months or less in duration. The Committee may choose to address these needs so long as they fall within the boundaries of need by type and category.