PLEASE READ FAQS PRIOR TO COMPLETING AN APPLICATION
- What is an appropriate situation to raise money to be matched?
- What is an appropriate way to raise money to help an associate?
- How do you verify the amount donated to an associate?
- Do I have to wait for the matched funds in order to give the money collected to the associate?
- When can I expect to receive the matching check?
- What constitutes fraud against The Homer Fund?
- Are any amounts taxed?
- Can a store do more than one matching grant for the same associate?
- What information do I need to process a Matching Grant?
- What is the password to the Associate Matching Grant online application?
- How do I apply for a Matching Grant?
- How can I be sure that the application was successfully submitted?
What is an appropriate situation to raise money to be matched?
Appropriate situations to raise money to be matched would be those situations that are unavoidable and difficult for the associate (such as illness or death of a loved one). Monies to help pay for social events such as track meets, baby showers, Christmas gifts or similar events are not considered appropriate matching situations. In addition, avoidable situations such as those caused by poor financial decisions by the associate may not be appropriate for matching purposes and discretion should be used by sponsoring managers.
What is an appropriate way to raise money to help an associate?
Within a Home Depot store, DC or MET Team, an ASDS, ASM, HRG, HRM, DHRM, MEM, SM or above should always be involved when associates are raising money for another associate. Collections done within a Home Depot corporate office require the involvement of a Department Manager, Human Resources Manager, Director or above.
Associates should always be respectful of the privacy of their co-workers. To request that other associates consider making a contribution, managers should review the following tips and guidelines:
- When communicating to associates that your location is collecting for a Matching Grant, we recommend identifying the associate in need. In most cases, The Homer Fund has noted that associates are more willing to donate when they know who they are assisting. However, identifying the associate in need is not a requirement and the associate may choose to remain anonymous.
- Post a sign in the break room or send out communication stating that a collection is being taken up for an associate facing a difficult situation.
- Associates should never solicit one another on the sales floor or on the clock, nor should they solicit customers or vendors.
- Monies raised through events such as bake sales, potlucks, luncheons, etc. are acceptable as well but must be held inside the Home Depot location and available to associates only.
- The associate in need is not eligible to donate to their own collection.
- Associates may not donate vacation/personal time to another associate as this violates The Home Depot Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
How do you verify the amount donated to an associate?
The management team taking up the collection on behalf of an associate completes and submits the Matching Grant application to verify the amount raised. The Matching Grant application should be completed by two sponsors which may include the Associate
Support Department Supervisor, Human Resources Manager, District Human Resources Manager, Store Manager, SSC Department Manager or above. By submitting the application, the managers are confirming that it is an appropriate situation for an Associate Matching Grant and that the amount indicated was actually collected and given to the associate.
Do I have to wait for the matched funds in order to give the money collected to the associate?
Once the sponsoring managers have counted the total amount collected in order to be able to verify through the Matching Grant application process, then the donated money should be given directly to the associate.
- Do NOT send donated money to The Homer Fund
- Do NOT make checks payable to The Homer Fund
- Checks should be made out directly to the associate in need
When can I expect to receive the matching check?
Associate Matching Grants are usually processed within 1-2 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) provided the sponsoring managers complete the application verification process. The check is sent overnight to the attention of the store manager (department manager for non-store associates), unless otherwise specified.
What constitutes fraud against The Homer Fund?
The following are examples of Homer Fund fraud:
- Intentional inclusion of money from the associate in need
- Use of money loaned to an associate in need with the intent of returning said monies once the Matching Grant check is received
- Amount falsification by management or person responsible for collection
- Use of Matching Grant for anything outside the purpose for which funds were raised and matched
- Intentional misrepresentation of hardship
- Intentional inclusion of monies donated by customers or vendors
- Intentional misuse of Matching Grant password (password is for use by ASDS or salaried manager ONLY)
- Intentional attempt to deceive sponsoring managers or Homer Fund staff
Are any amounts taxed?
No. The matched amount granted by The Homer Fund will not be taxed.
Can a store do more than one matching grant for the same associate?
Yes. An Associate Matching Grant can be up to $5,000 per situation. The Homer Fund will continuously match funds raised for an associate within a 12-month period until the $5,000 maximum has been reached. A new Matching Grant must be completed for each matching request. Please limit matching grants to one per week per associate.
What information do I need to apply for a Matching Grant?
- An ASDS, salaried manager or above is responsible for facilitating the Matching Grant process on behalf of the associate in need. Please contact one of these authorized sponsors if you think you or a co-worker may be eligible for a matching grant.
- Once donations are collected for an associate, the sponsoring managers must complete the Matching Grant application and submit it to The Homer Fund. Donations should be counted and then given directly to the associate in need.
- Once The Homer Fund receives the online application, an e-mail will be sent out to the two sponsors listed on the application to verify the collected amount. The authorized manager listed as the second sponsor must respond to this email to verify the amount collected.
- PLEASE NOTE that the email verification MUST come from the second sponsor to complete the review process. Verification must be submitted via email, not over the phone or through a different associate or sponsoring manager.
- Once email verification from the second sponsor is received, The Homer Fund will overnight the matched funds to the associate’s Home Depot location within 1 business day (excluding weekends and holidays). The overnight package will be addressed to the manager. Checks will be made payable to the associate.
PLEASE NOTE that according to The Home Depot’s Code of Conduct, falsification of information or fraudulent filing of a Homer Fund application is considered a terminable offense.
How do I get the password for the Matching Grant application?
Only authorized sponsors, which include an ASDS, ASM, HRG, HRM, DHRM, MEM, SM or above, are able to access the Matching Grant application. To obtain the password, an authorized sponsor must request the password by emailing Homer_Fund@HomeDepot.com from their Home Depot email address. In order to verify that the password is only being given to authorized sponsors, the request must be done through email ONLY and will not be given out over the phone.
How do I apply for a Matching Grant?
Click here to apply. Enter the required password. If you don't know the password, send an e-mail to Homer_Fund@homedepot.com. Once you successfully complete the Eligibility Quick-test, you will be able to complete and submit the application.
IMPORTANT: Please make sure you click "Save and Submit" in order to ensure your application is successfully submitted.
How can I be sure that the application was successfully submitted?
If an application is successfully submitted, the sponsoring managers will receive a confirmation email including the Application ID number.
PLEASE NOTE that if the sponsors do not receive this email, then the application may not have been submitted successfully. Contact The Homer Fund staff at Homer_Fund@HomeDepot.com or 800-654-0688, ext. 12611 if you have questions.