Emergency Assistance Fund

Geographic Scope: United States (California-based, serves Manna Development Group employees)

Share the Dough is a nonprofit designed to support Manna Development Group employees facing catastrophic emergencies. The fund is supported by voluntary payroll contributions from Manna employees and at-register canister donations from cafe guests.

Focus Areas

The Emergency Assistance Fund supports employees facing catastrophic situations that are:

• Unexpected and beyond employee's control
• Damaging to property or individuals
• Resulting in a loss of life, health, or property
• Causing severe financial hardship where all other sources of funding have been exhausted

Eligible Emergency Categories

• Loss of Home: Up to $1,500 for temporary housing and essential items (food, clothing, personal hygiene) due to fire, flood, or catastrophic events
• Emergency Travel: Up to $1,000 for employee; $750 for immediate family member; $500 for extended family member (medical emergencies, terminal illness, funerals, unforeseen transportation loss)
• Loss or Purchase of Medically Necessary Equipment: Up to $1,000 for equipment not covered under medical plan or exceeding plan allowance
• Medical Out of Work (short-term & long-term): 50% of gross weekly pay - Employee: up to $750 short-term (1-6 weeks), up to $1,500 long-term (7-12 weeks); Spouse: up to $500
• Unexpected Medical Expense: Up to $1,500 for employee/dependent; $750 for immediate family; $500 for extended family
• Transitional Housing Assistance: Up to $1,500 for relocation (abuse, unsafe conditions); up to $250 for deposit
• Funeral Expense: Up to $1,000 for child; $750 for immediate family; $500 for extended family; $1,500 for employee funeral
• Loss of Child Care: Up to $750 for temporary child care assistance (children under age 5)

Eligibility Requirements

• All current employees of Manna Development Group (Active or LOA status only)
• Employed for at least 90 consecutive days at time of grant request
• Must have exhausted all other appropriate means of assistance
• Employee does not need to donate to the fund to apply
• Terminated and suspended employees are not eligible
• Only one grant per 12-month period; maximum three total grants lifetime
• COVID-related time off considered case-by-case; not eligible for employees in states with paid COVID sick leave (must use personal sick/vacation time first)

What Share the Dough Does NOT Cover

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Debt consolidation
• Poor financial planning
• Non-essential items (cable TV, credit card payments, utility bills)
• Bail or garnishments
• Pet-related expenses
• Vehicle wear and tear or normal car ownership expenses
• Car expenses for company drivers with insurance below minimum policy

Contact Information

Address: 2211 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
Fax: (760) 874-0340

Additional Features

• Financial education class (required for those requesting more than once in 36 months; optional for first-time requests) through University of Massachusetts Global (Brandman University)
• Discretionary case-by-case review available for extreme financial hardship and emergency situations not included in standard guidelines
• All applicant identifying information is kept confidential during review process

How to Apply

1. Complete Online Application: Visit www.sharethedough.com/receive/ to fill out the Emergency Assistance Application online
   • Only the individual employee can apply (except in cases of employee death, when a family member may apply)
   • If applicant does not speak English, they must arrange for translation services and designate an English-speaking person to communicate with Share the Dough Director
2. Submit Required Documentation: Email or fax all supporting documentation to share@mannadevelopment.com or (760) 874-0340)
   • Documentation is required BEFORE the application can be fully processed
   • Checks your Junk email for responses (allow 24-48 hours for response)

Required Documentation (by Emergency Type)

Loss of Home:

• Official report or notification
• Photographs
• Insurance claim
• Receipts for essential items and/or lodging receipts or estimated cost summary

Emergency Travel:

• Statement from attending physician regarding terminal status (if applicable)
• Death certificate and/or obituary (for funerals)
• Estimated distance in miles (if traveling by car) and itinerary
• Receipt or confirmation with estimated cost (for airplane, bus, train, or lodging)

Loss or Purchase of Medically Necessary Equipment:

• Statement from attending physician describing need for equipment
• Receipt or estimated cost for replacement or purchase

Medical Out of Work:

• Statement from attending physician verifying inability to work and restrictions, including when leave began and estimated duration
• For spouse: Letter from spouse's employer detailing rate of pay and confirming leave of absence due to medical situation

Unexpected Medical Expense:

• Statement from attending physician regarding diagnosis and treatment
• Receipt or bill from insurance company/hospital

Transitional Housing Assistance:

• Official report or notification
• Photographs
• Insurance claim
• Receipts for essential items and/or lodging receipts or estimated cost summary
• Deposit request from new leasing agency

Funeral Expense:

• Receipts/invoice from funeral home or other relevant entity showing total cost or estimated summary

Loss of Child Care:

• Documentation for reason of loss of care
• Receipts showing cost of child care expenses

Processing Timeline

• Initial Review: 1-2 business days after all required documentation received
• Committee Review: Director submits to Review Committee for decision
• Approval & Funding: Funds issued within 24-48 hours of committee approval
• Delivery: Checks sent via FedEx, typically delivered in 2-3 business days
• Additional Info Requests: If more documentation needed, applicant has 2 weeks to provide; if not provided, application will not be considered and employee must reapply

Decision & Approval

• The Share the Dough Review Committee reviews all applications
• Committee can approve, deny, or request additional information
• Director will contact applicant regarding status
• If approved, checks made payable directly to employee (or paid directly to service provider if committee determines)
• Employee can request check sent to home or work address

Key Notes

• Funds are grants—not loans—and do not need to be repaid
• All decisions based on documented crises, eligibility guidelines, and bylaws
• Committee reserves right to change operating policies at any time