The BFF provides short-term emergency financial assistance to Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy employees. Assistance is need-based and provided following a recent, unexpected financial emergency that threatens their ability to provide basic necessities of life.
Please review the questions below. Can you answer yes to ALL of the following six questions?
- I am a:
- · Full-time employee from the date of hire
- · Part-time employee from the date of hire
- · Furloughed employee or employee on Protected Leave
- · Separated staff, eligible for up to 1 year following the separation date from the Parks Conservancy
2. Has the event occurred within 90 days of your application?
3. Is this the first time that I’m applying for a grant, or has it been 12 months since I last applied for a grant?
4. Is the event for which I’m requesting a grant listed below?
- · QUALIFIED DISASTER: These events include state or federally-declared disasters, disasters resulting from common carrier accidents, and disasters that result from a terroristic or military action.
- · NATURAL DISASTERS: Situations such as wildfire, flood, tornado, hurricane, severe storms, or earthquake that have damaged or destroyed the employee’s primary residence. The Fund cannot pay to repair other property or replace non-essential items, e.g., electronics, etc. Photographs and/or insurance reports may be required.
- · SERIOUS ILLNESS or INJURY, or NON-ROUTINE/EXCEPTIONAL MEDICAL EXPENSE: The Fund is not a substitute for medical insurance; employees do not automatically qualify for a grant when they, or their dependents, are diagnosed with or suffer a severe or life-threatening illness or injury. A resulting financial need must place significant pressure on the family’s financial resources. Doctor confirmation and/or medical documentation will be required.
- · IMPACTS TO PRIMARY RESIDENCE: This includes but is not limited to fire, flood, etc., causing significant home damage that could not be prevented and significantly impacts the family’s resources. Police, fire, or other official incident report will be required.
- · DEATH OF EMPLOYEE OR THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER: This includes the death of the employee, spouse, or eligible dependent(s). The loss of income or the cost of funeral expenses or medical bills must significantly impact the family’s resources. The Fund may also be able to pay the costs to bring a child whose parents have died to live with a new family, typically a relative.
5. Is the hardship you are facing listed below?
- · Food, Clothing, and Housing: immediate needs only applicable up to 30 days after the Event
- · Mortgage or Rent assistance for primary residence: generally for a period beyond 30 days
- · Essential utility expenses
- · Security deposits for new housing if unable to inhabit the existing home
- · Reasonable evacuation expenses
- · Reasonable funeral, travel, and burial expenses
- · Medical expenses not covered by insurance, including prescription medication
- · Psychological counseling deemed by a physician to be necessary following an event and in excess of what is covered by insurance
- · Unable to work due to the event
- · Unexpected child care up to 60 days
- · Reasonable repairs to damaged property
6. Is the grant amount you are requesting between $500 and $2,000?
When you apply for a grant, please note the following:
- Grant applications require backup documentation outlining expenses, so please make sure to save your receipts and invoices.
- Once an application is received, the review process can take up to 2-3 weeks, but in many cases, applications are reviewed more quickly.
- Grant applications are reviewed confidentially and anonymously through Philanthropi, our third-party partner.
- Once a grant is approved, a check will be mailed directly to you.
- Insurance premiums (medical/home/auto/life/etc.) are not considered a hardship eligible for reimbursement. Expenses not covered by insurance can be considered, however.