GRANT PROGRAMS
The Homer Fund® provides financial assistance to associates facing unexpected hardships, helps associates’ children pay for college, and supports our people with financial information to prepare for emergencies. A majority of Homer Fund contributions come from our associates; every dollar they donate helps a co-worker in need. Since 1999, Homer Fund grants totaling approximately $230 million have assisted approximately 164,000 associates.
• Direct Grants help associates facing emergencies and tragic events, such as the death of a parent or child, natural disaster, illness or injury, a spouse’s layoff and more, up to $10,000.
• Matching Grants are a unique way the Fund recognizes the generosity of our people toward one another. When associates collect donations for a co-worker in need, their money is matched by The Homer Fund — $2 for every $1 associates collect, up to $5,000 or the associate’s actual need. Matching Grants may be used for expenses that are ineligible for Direct Grants. They also may be used to complement Direct Grants, providing additional support.
In fiscal 2021, more than 8,800 associates received nearly $18.8 million in Homer Fund grants to assist with hardships related to the pandemic, natural disasters and more.
+CHECK IT OUT: Learn how The Homer Fund touched lives through the generosity of fellow associates. #OrangeAtHeart.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ASSOCIATES’ CHILDREN
The Homer Fund’s Orange Scholars program offers scholarships to qualified children or dependents of hourly associates based on financial need, academic performance, community involvement and leadership. Financial need is the highest consideration.
+DID YOU KNOW: Since the Orange Scholars launch in 2006, the program has awarded scholarships to more than 15,000 recipients, totaling $36 million.
In addition to our grant and scholarship programs, we provide associates with access to a range of Homer Fund-backed resources to support their financial well-being and decision making, including how to save for emergencies and protect themselves against fraud.