Purpose
Our mission at icuTalks is to create spaces of healing, hope, and community, and we recognize that financial hardship can deeply impact mental health. This benevolence fund allows us to extend tangible practical support to those in crisis, reinforcing our commitment to walking alongside individuals on their mental health journey.

The purpose of this Benevolence Policy is to provide clear guidelines for the distribution of financial assistance to individuals facing urgent needs that impact their mental health and overall well-being. This assistance may include housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and mental health care needs.

Scope
This policy applies to all requests for financial assistance submitted to icuTalks through the Benevolence Request Form. Assistance is intended to provide short-term relief in situations where basic needs are unmet, directly affecting an individual’s mental health stability.

Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must complete and submit a Benevolence Request Form. Assistance is limited to individuals who demonstrate an immediate need related to:      
- Housing (rent, mortgage)
- Utilities (electricity, water, gas, etc.)
- Groceries/Food
- Transportation
- Urgent medical costs
- Mental health care needs (therapy co-pays, medications, etc.)

Applicants may be asked to provide documentation to verify their need (e.g., bill statements, eviction notices, invoices). Priority will be given to individuals who are actively engaged with icuTalks, or referred by a ministry partner, and facing a situation that poses a risk to their mental health or emotional well-being.

Benevolence Distribution Guidelines
All requests will be reviewed by the icuTalks Board of Directors. The decision to approve or deny assistance will be based on:
- Urgency and severity of need
- Availability of ministry funds
- Previous assistance history

Assistance will be given as direct payments to service providers (landlords, utility companies, psychotherapists, etc.) whenever possible. Payments to individuals will be considered case-by-case. Approved assistance will typically not exceed $500 per request.

Once the application is submitted, the icuTalks Board of Directors will review the request and provide a response within 5 business days.

Frequency of Assistance
Individuals may receive benevolence assistance no more than 2 times within a 12-month period.
Exceptions may be made in extraordinary circumstances at the discretion of the icuTalks Board of Directors.

Confidentiality
All benevolence requests will be handled with utmost confidentiality and sensitivity. Information shared by applicants will not be disclosed beyond the icuTalks Board of Directors.

For any questions, please contact icutalksbenevolence@gmail.com.