Emergency Assistance Fund

EAF Grants of up to $2,500 are made to active and retired Y professionals, for themselves or for their immediate family members. In order to be eligible applicants must:

• Have been employed for 6 months and in good standing with the Y prior to the submittal of a grant request; or
• Have been a member of the YMCA Alumni Association (Formerly Association of YMCA Retirees) for at least the past 6 months prior to the submittal of a grant request.

Grants are available for the following needs, with supporting documentation:

• Medical expenses are incurred beyond provisions of health insurance coverage or other related expenses, which result in an extreme economic hardship.
• A catastrophic event such as acts of nature (fire, flood, wind, earthquake, etc.) or other events such as an accident, crime, etc. that results in economic distress.
• An emergency need that is a result of an “unforeseen event” and not from an exercise of “personal choice".

In addition:

• Grants are available for those who meet the eligibility criteria as long as funds are available.
• A person may receive only one grant within a 12 month period.
• Grants of up to $2,500 are awarded with the supporting documentation required to determine eligibility.
• Decisions are typically provided within 15 days from the date of application as long as additional documentation is not required.

Grant applications can be initiated in two ways: by an individual employee experiencing financial hardship or by an employee on behalf of another employee.

• Applications are accepted via Y-USA’s SmartSimple online application system by clicking the Apply link below.
• Please send any questions to EAF@ymca.net