Matching Grant FAQs

The pre-approval process takes one business day. The inquiring associate must complete the Pre-Approval Disclosure Form and return to an authorized sponsor (ASDS, manager or above). The Homer Fund will approve or decline requests to collect funds for Matching Grant purposes within one business day from receipt of the electronic pre-approval request (completed by authorized sponsor). Once a pre-approval request has been approved, the Home Depot location may begin the collection. This collection could be as short or as long as necessary, depending on the individual need of the associate. At the close of the collection, an authorized sponsor will submit the request to The Homer Fund to match the amount actually collected, and The Homer Fund will process the match within one business day.

The Homer Fund will match up to $5,000 for an associate's Matching Grant. The number of times an associate can receive a Matching Grant is directly related to the amount, not the number of grants. An associate may receive multiple Matching Grants up to the amount awarded reaches $5,000.

Yes. An associate on leave is very often the associate that needs Homer Fund assistance the most. If the associate is not able to complete the Pre-Approval Disclosure Form, an authorized sponsor may complete it in their place.

Matching Grant may assist in situations where the Direct Grant cannot, whether due to ineligible circumstances (i.e., divorce/separation), or ineligible expenses (i.e., medical bills). Pre-approval from The Homer Fund is required.

•Falsification or alteration of supporting documents or information therein (originals are REQUIRED whenever possible)

•Falsification of Homer Fund check/deposit of checks not made payable to associate

•Falsification of an authorized sponsor

•Use of funds for anything outside the purpose for which funds were issued

•Intentional misrepresentation of hardship

•Intentional withholding of relevant information which, if known, would result in declination

•Intentional misuse of personal Homer Fund account (accounts are for use by ASDS or salaried manager ONLY)

•Intentional attempt to deceive management team or Homer Fund staff (including giving money to other associates and asking them to "donate" to associate in need)

Also, money collected outside the following guidelines will not be matched:

•Management or ASDS must be involved and initiate the Matching Grant collection

•Matching Grant pre-approval is REQUIRED prior to the start of any collection

•Fundraisers of any sort must be done in-store and available to associates only; this includes luncheons, bake sales, car washes, etc.

•The Homer Fund will only match funds donated by associates. ◦Donations from vendors, customers, family members (even if they are a Home Depot associate) or other members of the community will not be matched.

•Money from the associate in need may not be included in the collection amount as these funds are not eligible for matching.

•The Homer Fund will not match an individual donation of more than $500.

•Money donated by an associate should be given with the understanding that the donation is a gift, not a loan. ◦Loaning money to an associate in need for purposes of matching is a violation of the Matching Grant guidelines.

An authorized sponsor is an ASDS or any salaried manager. Homer Fund applications may only be submitted through an authorized sponsor. The role of the authorized sponsor is to ensure the associate meets the minimum criteria for a Homer Fund grant. Authorized sponsors also act as a liason between The Homer Fund and the associate in need.

Applications may only be submitted by an authorized sponsor (see previous question).

If you are an associate in need, CLICK HEREto download a Matching Grant Prep Pack.

If you are an authorized sponsor assisting an associate with their application, log into your personal Homer Fund account to access applications.

If you have not created a personal account, contact The Homer Fund at Homer_Fund@homedepot.com for assistance.