Granite Assistance Fund
The purpose of the Granite Assistance Fund is to support eligible employees of the Granite Companies during times of significant hardship.
Eligible employees are individuals who have been employed by any of the Granite Companies or their subsidiaries for 20 or more hours per week for at least 12 months (including credit for prior service to acquired subsidiaries). The Granite Companies include All Flex Solutions, AltimateMedical, DeZURIK, GeoComm, GEOTEK, Massman Companies, Microbiologics, Rotochopper, and Vector.
For approved applications, the fund assists employees and their families during times of hardship by making grants (“Grants”), which are direct payments to vendors (“Vendors”), with the goal of supporting life’s necessities when resources are limited.
Grant Eligibility & Amounts
The degree of hardship, level of resources, and desire to plan for greater financial security all contribute to determining grant eligibility and amounts.
- First, the degree of hardship will be considered in determining grant eligibility and amounts. Applicants are encouraged to indicate any and all hardships experienced in the prior three years. Hardships may include, but are not limited to, natural disasters (e.g., fire, flood, drought, tornado, earthquake, hurricane); physical diseases and disorders; mental illnesses; accidents and injuries; health pandemics; unemployment, disability, or death of an income provider; victimization (e.g., vandalism, robbery, physical abuse, suicide, homicide); terrorism and war impacts; or chronic disease or advanced needs of immediate family members.
- Second, the level of resources will be considered in determining grant eligibility and amounts. Applicants are invited to share approximate levels of annual household income and assets along with the current level of unpaid bills and debts owed.
- And, third, the desire to plan and make progress toward greater financial security and strength will also be considered in determining grant eligibility and amounts. As background, all employees of the Granite Companies can access free financial counseling services.
Payments (Grants to Eligible Vendors)
The dollar amount of Grants from the fund can range from $500 up to $3,000 per approved application. Applicants with a higher degree of hardship, a lower level of resources, and a stated desire to engage in a financial planning service are more likely to receive a grant and more likely to receive a higher grant amount. Grants are limited to two (2) per employee per calendar year for a maximum potential assistance of $6,000 per employee per year.
The range of Vendors eligible to be paid by the grants can include suppliers of medical equipment; clinics or hospitals for healthcare; landlords for rent, banks for mortgage payments; utilities for electricity and heat; transportation providers as needed for commutes; providers of childcare; funeral homes; and other vendors of necessities. Items such as food, medicine, and clothing can also be covered.
Please note: The application process requires documentation such as bills or invoices that clearly identify the vendor owed, their address, and the current amount owed. Credit card statements are not sufficient documentation and payments cannot be made to credit card companies.
Fund administrators strive to be responsive, targeting a two-week turnaround. Decisions on grant eligibility and amounts are made approximately seven days after receiving a completed application (with vendor documentation as described), and vendor payments for approved applicants are processed approximately seven days after the application’s approval.
Application Process
The online application can be completed in approximately 15-20 minutes.
Please note: Once you are on the Application Page, you can type GRANITE in the code field to find the Granite Assistance Fund. During the application process you will need documentation (such as bills) to support your application; this fund pays grants to vendors directly. Download the Application Instructions document for a step-by-step guide to completing your application.
Click the button below or click here to begin your online application.
Once you begin your application, you will be on Central Minnesota Community Foundation’s system.
Donations
The founders and ongoing donors to the fund include Granite Partners and the Granite Companies, who strive to advance the health and wellbeing of all employees, especially in times of hardship.
The fund invites all employees of the Granite Companies and all stakeholders in the Granite community to consider making a donation to support co-workers. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donation checks can be made payable to “Granite Assistance Fund” and mailed to:
Granite Assistance Fund
c/o Central Minnesota Community Foundation
101 7th Ave S #100
St. Cloud, MN 56301
If you have any questions about the Granite Assistance Fund or the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department in any of the Granite Companies.
