Pledgix Charitable Fund Inc. — Grant Guidelines for Individuals

The Fund decides, in its sole discretion

• Every grant decision belongs to the Fund alone. The Fund decides in its sole discretion whether anyone receives a grant, and also the amount, timing and form of the grant and who is paid.
• These guidelines are not a promise. They explain how the Fund makes its decisions fairly and consistently. They are not an offer, contract or entitlement. Meeting them means you can be considered; it does not guarantee a grant.
• No one has a right to a grant or to campaign funds. That includes applicants, people featured in campaigns, campaign creators and donors.
• The Fund may change these guidelines at any time for future requests.

Who we help

We help individuals and families living in the United States who are in financial need or distress and face an essential expense they cannot pay. You do not need to belong to any community or know anyone at the Fund or Pledgix. Strangers are welcome to apply. We do not discriminate on any basis prohibited by law.

What we can help with

• Health and mental health: medical, dental and psychological care, medication and equipment, from licensed providers.
• Housing and basic needs: rent or utility arrears, essential repairs, food, temporary lodging.
• Emergencies: fire, flood, accident, crime, sudden loss of income.
• Life-cycle needs of families in need: modest funeral or burial costs, and basic wedding costs.
• Disability and caregiving needs.

We do not fund:

• business or investment ventures, or loans;
• luxury or above-ordinary costs;
• political or lobbying activity, or anything unlawful;
• recipients outside the United States.

How we look at need

We make an objective assessment of need, looking at:

• household size and income;
• any public benefits you receive (for example Medicaid or SNAP);
• savings and other resources;
• the size of the expense;
• other help available, such as insurance, Medicaid, other charities or other fundraisers.

You do not have to be destitute to qualify. We pay only the part of the cost that no one else covers.

How it works

1. Apply. The application is short. For small requests paid straight to a provider, we usually need only a photo ID, a signed statement about your situation, and the provider's bill.
2. We may ask for more. For larger requests, or when we need to clarify something, we may ask for one or more supporting documents, such as a benefits letter, pay stubs, a tax transcript or a letter from a caseworker. If you have no income, other documents are accepted. We confirm details with providers ourselves.
3. We pay the provider directly whenever we can, for example the doctor, landlord or utility.
4. We aim to decide quickly. Small, complete requests usually get a decision within a few business days. Tell us about any deadline you face.
5. Reconsideration. If your request is declined, you may ask once, within 30 days, for us to look again based on new information. This is a courtesy, not an appeal right.

About Pledgix One campaigns

• A campaign is a referral, not a promise. It tells the Fund about a need. The person featured is reviewed under these guidelines like any other applicant.
• Donations go to the Fund, not to the person on the page. The Fund has full legal control and variance power over every donation. It may use donations for the person featured, or for other people with similar needs, or for its other charitable purposes.
• If a campaign raises more than the need, or a request is not approved, or a campaign becomes inactive, the Fund uses the funds for others with similar needs. Where possible, we let donors know.
• No one connected to the Fund or to Pledgix LLC can receive a grant. This includes directors, officers, staff and major donors of the Fund, owners and employees of Pledgix LLC, and their families.
• Donors receive no goods or services in return for their gifts. Receipts come from the Fund. Please ask your tax advisor about deductibility.
• Fees: platform and payment-processing fees are deducted from donations as shown before you give.
• Timing: grants are made only after the Fund's review. Grants for an approved need are generally made within three (3) months after the Fund approves the need. The Fund retains full discretion and control over all contributions, including whether, when, and to whom grants are made.

Your privacy

• We collect only what we need to review your request.
• We keep it secure and use it only to review and administer the grant.
• We never share your financial or health information with donors, campaign creators or the public.

Contact and required notices

Questions: contact@pledgix.com · Pledgix Charitable Fund Inc., 10 Willow Dr., Suffern, NY 10901.

A copy of the Fund's latest annual financial report can be obtained on request from the Fund at the address above, or from the Charities Bureau registry on the New York Attorney General's website (https://www.charitiesnys.com). You may also write to the Office of the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341. For information about charitable organizations, visit https://www.charitiesnys.com or call the Charities Bureau at 212-416-8401. A description of the Fund's programs is in these Guidelines and is also available on request.