-You must have worked for USAID (under any hiring mechanism, including ISCs) as of January 20, 2025.
-You must have a U.S. bank account. This is for payment processing by The Community Foundation. Again, only the people who need this information will see it.
Please note: due to limited resources, we are focusing on the former USAID workforce. We had originally hoped to expand to former staff of USAID implementing partners; but we have never had sufficient funding to do so. If you were an implementing partner employee, apologies that we're not able to serve you.
What do you need in the application and why are you asking for it?
We value your time and your privacy. This application should take no more than ten minutes. The information we require is to a) verify your identity and eligibility; b) determine your score based on need; and c) send you money if you qualify. We are a small operation, working on a volunteer basis and allocating money shared by our community. Please answer all questions truthfully. We reserve the right to reject any application we do not feel is in good faith.
What happens after I submit an application?
1. First, your application will go to the intake coordinator. This person's job is to verify your information, and to anonymize your application to reduce unconscious bias by the application review committee. We may contact you to clarify some details if necessary before review. Please whitelist our email address - TheSolidarityFund2025@gmail.com - so that our emails don't go to spam.
2. Next, the intake coordinator will give your application a number, so that the application review committee will not see your name (to help reduce unconscious bias).
3. Next, the intake coordinator will send your application (without your name) to a selection committee of three people, who will review your application and score it against preset need and vulnerability criteria.
4a. If your application is eligible and scores above our threshold:
We will recommend to The Community Foundation that you receive a one-time monetary grant. We make each grant as soon as we have enough funds for the next recipient on the approved list. The amount of the grant will vary based on household size and available resources but will not be less than $650. All final grant decisions are at the sole discretion of The Community Foundation. If The Community Foundation approves, you will be asked for your Taxpayer Identification Number/Social Security Number and bank account information, to transfer funds.
4b. If your application is not eligible or does not score above the threshold, we will notify you promptly. You may reapply in the future, if your situation changes.
5. Once we have finished with your application, we will keep your basic data to keep track of who has applied and received money. We will not share this information with anyone else outside of our committee and The Community Foundation without your explicit permission. We will never sell your data or make it public.
How long does this all take?
The application process will normally take approximately two to three weeks for us to review your application and determine if you are selected. If there is funding available, usually that takes about two weeks to receive a grant. If you are selected and are placed on the waitlist, the timing for that is entirely dependent on funding, usually a few weeks to a few months. Disbursements are processed on a first-in-first-out basis as funding is available. If you have questions during the process, or if it's been a while and you haven't heard from us, please email us at TheSolidarityFund2025@gmail.com.
My partner/spouse and I both worked for USAID and are both now out of a job; may we both apply?
Please submit one application, and note that you were both let go.
I don't live in the Washington, DC area; am I eligible? Yes!
I was an Institutional Support Contractor/PSC/other strange hiring mechanism; am I eligible? Yes!
Can I apply even if I'm receiving unemployment? Yes. We realize that unemployment assistance only covers a portion of basic needs.
Are there any requirements after I receive money? No! If you are selected, we trust you'll use the funds to meet basic needs, like buying groceries, medical costs, paying the rent or mortgage, affording daycare, etc. But there's no reporting or receipt-keeping. The funds are considered a gift and you won't owe taxes on it.
I'm currently being paid but will be let go soon; am I eligible? You may apply once you are no longer being paid. We are prioritizing applicants based on financial need.
I'm a past grant recipient; am I eligible to apply again? If you are still in serious need and it has been six months since your last application, you may reapply.
I've heard about a grant fund from the USAID Alumni Association; is this it? No, these are two separate programs. The Alumni Association's program is only for former direct hires and PSCs (e.g. FSO, FSN, FSL, CS or CSE, PSC). Ours is open to former ISC staff as well.
I still have more questions before I apply.
Please email TheSolidarityFund2025@gmail.com and we will reply to you within two business days.
