This C12 article emphasizes the importance of employee hardship funds as a tangible way to demonstrate Christlike care in the workplace. These funds support employees during crises, fostering well-being, engagement, and a generous culture. Tools like the Caring Matrix, by His Way at Work, and partnerships with organizations ensure effective stewardship, aligning financial aid with spiritual and emotional care.
Stewardship & Generosity
Safety Net
SG-06Employee Emergency Fund
Build resilience in your workforce. Create a fund for unexpected hardships.
MarkingsGenerositySharingCompassionMercy(James 2:15-16)
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”
James 2:15–16
From the card
Getting Started
- Define the Purpose: Clarify what types of situations the fund will cover (e.g., medical emergencies, natural disasters)
- Create a Fund Structure: Decide whether contributions will include employee donations or come only from the company.
- Set Guidelines: Develop clear criteria for fund access, the application process, and repayment terms, if applicable.
- Raise Awareness: Educate employees about the fund and its benefits and conditions.
- Manage Funds: Appoint a committee or care team to manage the fund discreetly and professionally.
Tips for Success
- Encourage voluntary, anonymous donations to foster a culture of giving.
- Keep the application procedures simple to encourage use when needed.
- Empower your team and try to appoint a non-CEO or owner as administrator.
Continue exploring
5 resourcesResources
This America’s Charities article highlights Employee Assistance Funds as a tax-advantaged way for companies to support employees during hardships. Benefits include increased retention, productivity, and engagement while maintaining employee privacy. Partnering with America’s Charities reduces administrative burdens, ensures confidentiality, and offers legal and tax advantages, enabling scalable and efficient fund management.
This blog post reflects a personal journey of integrating faith into the workplace, transitioning from individual efforts to collective ministry. It recounts launching an employee emergency fund, empowering a leadership team to manage it, and witnessing transformative cultural outcomes. Key results included improved morale, increased compassion, and clarified purpose, demonstrating how faith-driven initiatives can create meaningful impact in business settings.
The EAF partners with companies to administer employer-sponsored relief funds, providing tax-free grants to employees facing unexpected hardships like medical bills or disasters. These funds boost morale, productivity, and company culture while enabling prosocial motivation through employee contributions. The EAF operates globally, awarding grants every 12 minutes to support recovery efforts efficiently.
The Enhabit Cares Employee Emergency Relief Fund supports employees and their immediate families facing unforeseen financial hardships, such as serious illness, loss of a primary residence, or death of a family member. Eligible employees can apply for up to $5,000 in assistance per occurrence, with applications reviewed monthly by the relief fund Grant Committee.
Keep the conversation going
Have a resource to suggest? We’d love to hear it.