Financial Assistance Distribution Policy

PURPOSE

The bylaws of From the Heart Benevolent Fund, Inc. (Organization) state that distributions of financial assistance to PPC employees are to be made in accordance with the Organization’s financial assistance distribution policy.

ORGANIZATION MISSION

To provide financial assistance to employees of PPC and their immediate families with catastrophic/emergency needs.

DEFINITIONS

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may include direct monetary assistance or payments to third parties on the behalf of beneficiaries, in-kind services, or other assistance as appropriate.

Families

Families of PPC employees means immediate families only; that is, beneficiaries may receive distributions as a result of catastrophic needs relating only to PPC employees, their spouses, or their dependent children.

Catastrophic/emergency needs

Catastrophic/emergency needs may result from uninsured illness, accident, injury, death, natural disaster (such as flood, fire, or tornado); or other emergency circumstances brought to the attention of the organization.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for distributions, an applicant must:

1. Be an active employee of PPC at the time the need occurs (or within a reasonable period after termination from PPC) or an immediate family member of a deceased employee.

2. Demonstrate a catastrophic/emergency need.

3. Demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

4. Specify the use of requested financial assistance.

DISTRIBUTION DECISION CRITERIA

The board of directors will make decisions regarding applicant distribution requests based on the following considerations:

1. Whether adequate funds are available for distribution.

2. Whether applicant eligibility requirements as defined by this policy have been met.

3. Whether the specified use and amount of the requested financial assistance appears reasonable and necessary.

4. If required to select among otherwise eligible applicants, which applicants have the most critical need.

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION

Even if an applicant is deemed otherwise eligible for distribution in accordance with this policy, financial assistance will be granted only if sufficient funds are available. The Organization reserves the right to deny or defer distribution requests if the Organization’s board of directors deems that net assets are not sufficient to support grant distributions.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO THIRD PARTIES

When possible, the Organization should make payments directly to third parties on the behalf of beneficiaries.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All individual requests for distribution and grant distributions are confidential. Such information will not be released without the express prior consent of the applicant or beneficiary. The Organization reserves the right to promote distribution activities by describing distributions granted without disclosing the names of individual recipients.

REPAYMENT

No repayment of financial assistance as such may be made. However, recipients who desire to do so may make contributions, as may any other contributor, to the Organization, but with the distinct understanding that it is the individual’s desire to contribute to the Organization, and that the contribution is not in repayment of the financial assistance granted.

BOARD DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

Fund distribution decisions may be made based on a simple majority vote of active board members. The board may communicate regarding fund distribution decisions and other board matters in person, by email, by phone, or by other means considered reasonable.

amended 12/01/04

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