The Nonprofit Employee Assistance Program is a Success Thanks to Our Donors
On September 28th, 2022 Hurricane Ian wreaked across Sanibel and Captiva Islands, damaging or destroying many homes and belongings. The staff of our nonprofit partners, many of whom live on the islands, was not immune to this destruction. The individuals who work so hard to keep our islands environmentally sound, economically strong and the population educated and healthy, needed our help.
On November 22, 2022, CFI launched the Nonprofit Employee Assistance Program. Generous CFI donors committed to matching up to $100,000 in funds donated by the community earmarked to provide much-needed relief for the individuals who qualify. F.I.S.H of Sanibel-Captiva, a social services organization was well-positioned to manage the application and gifting process.
Much to our delight, the match was met and surpassed in record time and distribution of funds has begun.
Helpful Links
To apply for the Nonprofit Employee Assistance Grant click here.
To donate to the Nonprofit Employee Assistance Program, click here.
For more information about the Nonprofit Employee Assistance program, click here.
News Posts
1/19/2023 Article: Up-to-date information about the Nonprofit Employee Assistance Program
12/16/2022 Article: Now Accepting Applications
11/20/2022 Article: Nonprofit Employee Assistance Program Underway
Here’s what the leaders of our nonprofit partners are saying about the program:
“About one-third of the SCCF staff has been displaced. This is a wonderful way to show how grateful we are for the critical work that all our nonprofits’ employees provide to our community. ”
“We can’t thank CFI enough for the generosity and speed with which the funds were raised. Our CROW staff, as well as the teams from the other nonprofit organizations, can begin to rebuild their lives. ”
“As a result of Hurricane Ian, 70% of the DDWS staff lost their homes with the others impacted by flooded cars, and other personal issues. The support your organization gave to these employees was such a relief to them and all the non-profit employees who participated. They are often hesitant to apply for support, and the fact that your grant was directed only to non-profit employees was important. It made a very real difference in a time that was unprecedented. ”
Here’s what the nonprofit employees are saying about the program:
“This assistance will help us towards everything we lost in our home from clothes to appliances. We are rebuilding our lives from scratch and will need all the help we can get. ”
“The rent where I have been living is very expensive and the rental agreement runs out in January. We have been making the 45-minute drive from Naples to Sanibel several times per week and the inconvenience and stress, and cost of gas is too much for us.”
“My family and I have endured numerous hurricanes throughout my life, but this one left us devastated. We are scrambling to fix up our home that was flooded eight inches while grieving the loss of my only grandparent after she fell, endured multiple fractures, became septic and eventually lost the battle. I would be extremely grateful for this assistance as I would be able to help alleviate some of the heavy burden of repairs and funeral expenses.”
“This assistance will be a great start to recouping my losses. As a renter, my insurance did not cover much. Being able to focus my mind and energy toward the cleanup has been helping me cope. With any financial assistance offered, I can continue to focus on the rebuild of my personal losses. As an independent without a dual income, it has been difficult to replace what was lost. ”
“This assistance would help us to get a place faster and not be separate since we are staying with friends. It would help us to get a little closer to normalcy and be together as a family again.”
“My health had been suffering prior to Ian and I was given a chance to work part time from home for a local nonprofit organization. It was the perfect balance to keep my finances on an even keel, purchase health insurance for myself, utilize my skills for a greater purpose, and do what I love and know best. Hurricane Ian took so much more than a deduction in my hours each week. I lay awake as most do each night trying to figure out how to put my life back together and how to find joy again. I hope that this assistance can bring me peace of mind and help me get back on my feet.”
“This assistance would help my family and me because our entire life has been uprooted. The home we rented on Sanibel had to be gutted along with all of our belongings we had downstairs. My partner is no longer able to operate his business on Sanibel, which turned our two-income home into just a one-income home. We are getting no assistance from our rental insurance and FEMA has yet to provide anything that can help us. This funding would allow us to pay some of our expenses.”