PREPARING FOR DISASTER SEASON |
|
In the United States, hurricane season runs from June 1 - November 30, and wildfire season typically peaks in August. With disaster season upon us, now is the time to prepare. At Emergency Assistance Foundation, we are all too aware of the devastating impact that hurricanes and wildfires can have on individuals and communities, and we are ready to respond through every crisis.
How can you be ready to help your own when they need it most?
- Revisit the Fund's grant criteria to ensure all relevant events and expenses are included.
-
Remind yourself how our Immediate Response Program (IRP) works and how to launch an IRP in response to a qualified disaster.
-
Check the Fund's balance and other essential Fund data in Tableau. You can use this real-time diagnostic reporting tool to more accurately balance Fund donations and grants. (Remember, as a general rule, the Fund should always be able to support three months of expected grants at any given time.)
- Communicate with your team members about the Fund. Direct them to the Fund's website for information and resources, and be sure everyone knows how to donate to the Fund and how to apply for assistance if needed.
As always, get in touch with your Relief Fund Senior Advisor if you have any questions about disaster season preparedness.
|
|
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TIPS FOR YOUR TEAM |
|
DEVELOP AN EVACUATION PLAN
Be prepared to evacuate quickly if needed.
Find out if you live in an evacuation zone, plan several routes, have a "go" bag with supplies, and plan for your pets.
STRENGTHEN YOUR HOME
Be sure your home is in good condition and up to local hurricane codes.
Cover windows, trim trees, secure all doors and loose outdoor items, move your vehicle to a safe location, and perform a simple DIY home inspection.
ASSEMBLE DISASTER SUPPLIES
Gather supplies to last a minimum of one week.
Be sure you have food and water, medicine and prescriptions, radio, batteries, phone chargers, a full tank of gas, and cash on hand.
GET AN INSURANCE CHECKUP
Ensure you have enough coverage to repair or even replace your home.
|
|
CREATE AN EMERGENCY PLAN
> Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your home. Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place.
> Assemble an emergency supply kit and place it in a safe spot. Remember to include important documents, medication, and personal identification.
PREPARE YOUR HOME & PROPERTY
> Remove flammable materials from within 30 feet of your home's foundation and outbuildings. Clear leaves and debris from gutters and eaves, as well as on or under porches and decks to prevent embers from igniting your home.
> Screen in areas below patios and decks and cover exterior vents with wire mesh to prevent combustible materials from accumulating and to protect against ember penetration.
> Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground, and keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
|
|
|
Sources: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (#HurricaneStrong); FEMA | National Flood Insurance Program; National Fire Protection Association |
|
GRANTS AWARDED AROUND THE WORLD |
|
Did you know that Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) awards and distributes grants all over the world? In fact, more than 30% of all grants are awarded outside the United States. There are a number of factors that make non-U.S. grant disbursements complex, including the differences in each country's government regulations and banking systems (especially when severely impacted by a disaster), wide variations in how grantees are able to receive payments (banked vs. unbanked), and more. As a financial first responder, EAF must be resourceful and fearless to ensure that financial assistance reaches individuals in need as quickly and efficiently as possible, no matter the unique circumstances. We remain adaptable by harnessing technology, developing scalable platforms and procedures, and constantly evaluating and improving our processes.
|
|
GRANT RECIPIENT TESTIMONIALS |
|
"My father unfortunately passed away due to complications from COVID-19 in late December. To say it was a challenging time for my family and I is an understatement. My dad's colleagues reached out in many ways to offer their condolences and support, including letting me know about this grant program. My dad's death was certainly unexpected. This grant helped lift the burden of the final expenses related to his passing. I am hopeful that others don't find themselves in a similar situation with losing a loved one, but if it happens, I'd want them to know that it's definitely worth it to apply for financial assistance during difficult times."
"I am the breadwinner with two kids in college and a disabled wife. We were already under financial burden due to COVID-19 I am on reduced pay since May of 2020. So when this disaster hit our home, it was very stressful for us. I have never asked for money from anyone before this. Me and my family always try to help other folks who are less fortunate than us. But this time we did not have any choice. When they told me that they approved the money for our plumbing and insurance deductible, I felt so relieved. I am glad that I had the courage to ask for help, and I want to thank them that they have acknowledged my need and sent me the check as quickly as possible."
|
|
|
> Our Resource Documents webpage houses a number of useful materials for applicants and grant recipients, including our Grant Application Guide, Supporting Documentation Guide, U.S. and Non-U.S. Grant Payment Guides, and more.
> Mid-year is a great time to review Fund budgeting. Visit the Fund's real-time diagnostic reporting in Tableau to see the new Budget and Benchmarks formatting, and schedule a time with your Relief Fund Senior Advisor to discuss.
> The EAF Communications Archive houses a digital library of all emails sent to our Fund Partners in one convenient location, so you can easily access past newsletters, disaster alerts, and more.
|
|
APPLICANT SUPPORT & PRIVACY |
|
As a reminder, Emergency Assistance Foundation is unable to provide our Fund Partners with specific details about individual applications. For a Fund to remain tax advantaged, regulations dictate that an applicant must complete the application confidentially as an individual, rather than as an employee. In addition, as the Fund’s independent and objective third-party administrator, Emergency Assistance Foundation has an obligation to protect applicant privacy. On rare occasions, we may request Fund Partner assistance to get in touch with an unresponsive applicant during the grant application review process. In those instances, the applicant has granted us permission to do so within the application and we will only provide their name, email address, and location.
For the speediest resolution, we always recommend that applicants contact our Applicant Support team with any questions or concerns throughout the grant application process. EAF's general Applicant Support email address is [email protected], and Fund-specific contact information is included at the top of each page of the online application.
|
|
SONTIQ IDENTITY PROTECTION |
|
As you may know, Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) launched complimentary identity theft protection for all Applicants who are verified Charitable Class members beginning in early 2021.
Why is EAF offering Sontiq Identity Protection?
EAF is committed to keeping identities safe in an increasingly digitalized world, where the volume and velocity of data breaches continue to escalate. We also recognize that, for those currently seeking financial assistance, the additional impact of identity fraud could be truly devastating. To that end, we have partnered with best-in-class industry leader Sontiq to proactively provide our Applicants with comprehensive identity theft protection.
|
|
Reminders about Sontiq Identity Protection:
-
Sontiq Identity Protection is fully sponsored by EAF for each Applicant’s initial subscription period. Upon verification, eligible Applicants are automatically enrolled and receive a welcome email from Sontiq with additional information, including instructions to create an optional online account.
-
Auto-enrollment includes dark web monitoring of the Applicant's name and email address, as well as access to Sontiq's fraud response team as needed throughout the subscription period. Creating an optional online account with Sontiq allows Applicants to take advantage of the additional comprehensive protection services included in the EAF-sponsored package.
-
Immediate Response Program (IRP) Verified Applicants will receive one (1) year of complimentary Sontiq Identity Protection, paid for by EAF, and will be informed about their enrollment in the IRP grant award email.
-
Standard Grant Applicants will receive two (2) years of complimentary Sontiq Identity Protection, paid for by EAF, and will be informed about their potential enrollment (if Charitable Class verified) within the standard application.
- When an Applicant's EAF-sponsored subscription period ends, service will automatically be canceled unless the Applicant chooses to renew at their own cost.
- To ensure that Applicants receive emails from Sontiq, we recommend adding [email protected] to safe sender list(s) and/or whitelisting the email.sontiq.com domain.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your Relief Fund Senior Advisor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
