# Community Care Fund

<p class="callout info">This fund was formerly called the Ministerial Discretionary Fund</p>

## 1. Purpose

The **Community Care Fund** exists to offer short-term, confidential financial support to members of our Foothills community who are facing urgent need.

This guidance supports our commitment to **compassion, equity, and pastoral care**. It ensures this support is offered with **discretion, clarity, and consistency**, aligned with our mission to care for one another with courage and humility.

## 2. Organizational Guidance

The Community Care Fund is available **once per calendar year** per household. The fund is not for long-term or recurring assistance but is intended to meet acute, essential needs.

### Eligibility

- Individuals must have a **current connection to the Foothills community**, such as:
    
    
    - Member or regular attender
    - Active participant in a ministry area
- Priority is given to needs related to, but not limited to
    
    
    - **Housing stability**
    - **Food insecurity**
    - **Medical access**
    - **Transportation**
    - **Safety and crisis response**
- Exceptions may be made at the minister’s discretion.

### Request and Disbursement Process

1. **Initiate Request**
    
    
    - A request may come through a minister, staff member, Caring Listener, or trusted lay leader.
    - The individual may also directly reach out to a minister or relevant staff.
2. **Review and Decision**
    
    
    - The request is reviewed by a designated member of the Ministry Team, often the Minister for Community Care.
    - Decisions consider
        
        
        - Urgency
        - Alignment with fund purpose
        - Whether community resources have been utilized or are available
        - Available Community Care Fund budget
3. **Disbursement**
    
    
    - **[This form](https://foothillsuu.wufoo.com/forms/ministers-discretionary-fund-request-form) is submitted** by a minister to request the check. Be sure to note whether the check is to be sent via mail or be picked up at Foothills.
    - The **amount is open**, determined based on the situation and available resources.
    - A **Community Care Fund Note in PCO** is generated by the minister connected with the disbursement.

### Confidentiality and Records

- All requests and disbursements are treated with **strict confidentiality**.
- Only those directly involved in review and disbursement are aware of identifying details.
- Records are kept solely for **internal financial oversight**—not for public or staff-wide reporting.

## 3. Related Content

### Bylaws and Policies

This guidance interprets or implements the following:

### Organizational Guidances &amp; SOPs

This guidance is related to or informs the following:

- [Template Email for responding to request from someone who is not engaged at Foothills](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/care-and-support/page/email-template-financial-assistance-request-non-community-member)

## 4. Revision History

Originally created by