Employee Critical Support Fund
The Employee Critical Support Fund was created to assist university staff and faculty members who are experiencing a temporary financial hardship.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE EMPLOYEE CRITICAL SUPPORT FUND
PAYROLL DEDUCTION
Vanderbilt faculty and staff can give through a payroll deduction by selecting Employee Critical Support Fund as the area you would like to assign your gift.
VANDERBILT ONLINE GIVING
Individuals can give donations by credit card by going to the online giving form and select Employee Critical Support Fund as the area you would like to assign your gift.
Kroger Community Rewards
The Kroger Community Rewards program is a simple way to contribute to the Employee Critical Support Fund through grocery purchases. After designating Vanderbilt Employee Critical Support Fund, any transactions using your shopper’s card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the Employee Critical Support Fund, at no added cost to you.
Take the following steps to contribute through Kroger Community Rewards:
(1) Log into your account at https://www.kroger.com/.
(2) Once you’re signed in, go to the top right corner and click your name. Select “My Account.”
(3) On the left-hand side, select “Preferences.”
(4) Select your home store. Once the store is selected, scroll to the bottom of the page (left-hand side) and select Kroger Community Rewards located under the Community heading.
(5) Scroll to #2 and select the second option “search for your organization here”. Select “enroll” and type in the name of the organization or the organization number (Vanderbilt Employee Critical Support Fund or KR662). Hit the enroll button
If you are already enrolled in the program prior to November 2022, your giving contributions are directed to the current VUMC fund. Take the above steps to contribute to Vanderbilt University fund.
About this Fund
The Employee Critical Support Fund is an award offered to Vanderbilt University faculty and staff who’ve experience a catastrophic event or temporary emergency and need financial support for their living expenses.
The Employee Critical Support Fund has two tiers:
- Tier 1 provides financial support to staff and faculty members who are experiencing a financial hardship due to a catastrophic event. Maximum amount is $2,000 every five (5) fiscal years. Tier 1 Application
- Tier 2 provides financial support to staff and faculty members who are experiencing a financial hardship due to a temporary emergency. Maximum amount is $1,000 every five (5) fiscal years. Tier 2 Application
Employee Critical Support Fund Eligibility
- An employee must hold a regular full-time position at Vanderbilt University (temporary, part-time or term positions are not eligible).
- An employee must be employed (hold a regular full-time position) at Vanderbilt University for one full year to be eligible for the fund.
- Employee on leave for family and/or medical reasons will be assessed on an individual basis.
- An employee can receive a maximum of $2,000 from the Employee Critical Support Fund every five (5) fiscal years.
Examples of Ineligible Expenses
The Employee Critical Support Fund reimburses actual expenses arising from qualifying events, so you can recover quickly. Below are non-exhaustive lists of bills, costs, payments, and other expenses that are examples of ineligible expenses:
- Loss of household income due to reduction in hours or overtime, the loss of a job, a divorce, or the loss of child support.
- Credit card bills, auto, and other debt, not incurred as a result of a temporary hardship.
- Regular monthly bills when the financial distress is not the result of a temporary hardship.
- Wage garnishments, disconnection notices, or eviction notices not related to a temporary hardship.
- Accidental damages due to the negligence of the applicant.
- Furniture, appliances, electronics
- Non-essential utilities such as cable television
- Legal fees
- Standard living expenses that do not cause financial stress.
- When other aid or assets are readily available.
Apply for the Employee Critical Support Fund
The Office of Health, Wellbeing, and Belonging manages the expanded Employee Critical Support Fund.
Applications for expenses will be reviewed and approved by Vanderbilt University Employee Critical Support Fund Committee. The committee may request further information before the application can be approved or denied. Individuals will be informed of a decision, along with follow-up instructions.
Quick Links and Resources
Tier 1 Guidelines – Catastrophic Event
Tier 1 Application – Catastrophic Event
Tier 2 Guidelines – Temporary Emergency
Tier 2 Guidelines – Temporary Emergency
Examples of Ineligible Expenses
Contact
Department: Office of Health, Well-Being and Belonging
Email: wellbeing@vanderbilt.edu