In order to help companies seeking emergency assistance for their employees during times of hardship or disaster, Silicon Valley Community Foundation has established a preferred referral relationship with Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc. (EAF), a nonprofit organization that is a leader in the field of employee relief funding. 

With the preferred referral relationship in place, SVCF will recommend the expert services of Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) to any of its clients or partners wishing to establish programs to provide charitable emergency funding to employees.

Under the agreement, EAF will refer clients seeking to enhance their corporate social responsibility efforts or grantmaking programs to SVCF. SVCF has a long history of supporting corporate clients in the design of global employee engagement programs, as well as broad experience managing and stewarding corporate social responsibility initiatives. 

“Recent events such as the wildfires in the Western U.S., and earthquakes in Chile and Nepal remind us that hardship can strike suddenly. SVCF is proud to be partnering with EAF to help companies proactively support their employees when they might need assistance during times of emergency,” said Emmett D. Carson, CEO and president of SVCF. “We are confident that our clients will benefit from our relationship with the best employee relief fund organization in the country.” 

Employee relief funds allow companies to provide timely charitable financial support to employees and their dependents who are facing financial difficulties because of personal hardship or disaster. Charitable assistance is most often sought because of situations such as destruction of a personal residence, life-threatening illness or injury or a spouse’s loss of employment. Employees who have been affected by certain types of disasters also frequently receive charitable assistance. Through these funds employers can provide a structured way for employees to help each other in their time of need.

EAF offers companies an online application system for employees to apply for assistance, and can distribute assistance both in the United States and internationally – a significant benefit for multi-national corporations. Employees are able to make tax-deductible donations to help fellow employees through the EAF-administered program, and EAF ensures that corporations’ charitable relief programs are in compliance with federal and state regulations. EAF also offers extensive online resources and support, including translation and currency exchange services.

“This agreement between EAF and SVCF will enable more corporations to get the peace of mind that comes with having an employee relief fund program in place before disaster strikes,” said Bryan Clontz, CEO of EAF, which is based in Jacksonville, Florida. “We are glad to be partnering with SVCF and look forward to working with their best-in-class dedicated corporate responsibility team.”

Companies seeking more information can contact donate@siliconvalleycf.org.

About Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Silicon Valley Community Foundation makes all forms of philanthropy more powerful. We serve as a catalyst and leader for innovative solutions to our region’s most challenging problems, and through our donors we award more money to charities than any other community foundation in the United States. SVCF has $6.5 billion in assets under management. As Silicon Valley’s center of philanthropy, we provide thousands of individuals, families and corporations with simple and effective ways to give locally and around the world. Find out more at siliconvalleycf.org.

About Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc.

The Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) charity created to design and operate multiple employer-sponsored disaster relief and employee hardship funds. These funds allow domestic and international employers and employees to help their coworkers in times of crises in a tax-optimal way – donations are tax-deductible and grants are tax-free. The Foundation also provides best practice consulting for fund and process design as well as a customized, dynamic cloud-based grant portal. Find out more at emergencyassistancefdn.org.

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Silicon Valley Community Foundation advances innovative philanthropic solutions to challenging problems, engaging donors to make our region and world a better place for all. Silicon Valley Community Foundation is a comprehensive center of philanthropy. Through visionary leadership, strategic grantmaking and world-class experiences, we partner with donors to strengthen the common good locally and throughout the world.

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