ASSISTANCE REVIEW POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to establish clear, consistent, and mission-aligned procedures for reviewing and approving requests for assistance. Minnesota Kids Foundation provides financial assistance to support children and families in accordance with its charitable mission.

All assistance decisions are subject to available funding and the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Minnesota Kids Foundation may consider assistance in the following categories:

• Pediatric medical expenses may include dental and vision
• Therapy services
• Medical equipment
• Travel expenses related to child medical care
  
  

• Summer camps
• Leadership programs
• Academic enrichment programs
• Special needs programs

• School Room Supplies
• Fees Associated with Educational Field Trips/Day Trips
  
  
  

• Temporary housing assistance
• Essential child-related emergency needs
  
  

• Community-based initiatives directly benefiting children
  
  

All requests must demonstrate a direct benefit to children or families.

Minnesota Kids Foundation does not provide assistance for:

• General adult expenses unrelated to child benefit
• Credit card debt or unsecured loans
• Legal fees (unless directly child-related and Board-approved)
• Ongoing monthly living expenses beyond short-term emergency support
• Political or religious activities
• Reimbursements without documentation
• Cash payments directly to individuals
  
  

Applicants must submit:

• A completed Request for Assistance Form
• Supporting documentation (invoice, billing statement, program details, etc.)
• Documentation of urgency (if expedited review is requested)
  

Incomplete applications may delay the review process.

1. Application is received and logged.
2. Initial screening is conducted for completeness.
3. Application is presented at a scheduled Board meeting.
4. The Board discusses and votes.
5. Applicant is notified in writing of the decision.
   

Standard review timeline is up to 30 days from submission.

Requests marked as time-sensitive may be considered for expedited review in emergency situations.

Expedited review may be conducted by:

• The President and Treasurer jointly, or
• An Executive Committee, if established
• 
  

Emergency approvals remain subject to:

• Available funding
• Supporting documentation
• Final ratification by the full Board at the next meeting
• 
  

Expedited review does not guarantee approval.

In reviewing requests, the Board may consider:

• Alignment with the Foundation’s mission
• Demonstrated financial need
• Community impact
• Availability of funds
• Prior assistance history
• Documentation provided
  

The Board may:

• Approve the full request
• Approve a partial amount
• Approve with conditions
• Deny the request
  

All decisions are final.

VIII. PAYMENT PROCEDURES

Whenever possible, payments will be made:

• Directly to service providers
• Directly to camps, schools, or organizations
• By check with documentation reference
  

Direct payments to individuals require specific Board approval and documentation.

The Board may establish:

• Per-request caps
• Annual per-family limits
• Annual total assistance budget limits
  

Funding limits may be reviewed and adjusted annually.

All applications and supporting documentation are confidential and reviewed only by authorized Board members.

Information will not be disclosed except as required by law.

Any Board member with a personal relationship or financial interest related to an applicant must:

• Disclose the relationship
• Recuse themselves from discussion and voting
  

The recusal shall be recorded in meeting minutes.

The Foundation will maintain:

• A copy of the application
• Supporting documentation
• Record of Board decision
• Payment documentation
  

Records will be retained in accordance with nonprofit best practices and applicable laws.

This policy shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and may be amended as necessary to reflect evolving needs and funding capacity.

Minnesota Kids Foundation reserves the right to modify assistance priorities based on available funding and community needs.

Minnesota Kids Foundation is committed to protecting your privacy. Information submitted will be used exclusively to evaluate your request for assistance and will be shared only with authorized board members as part of the review process. We do not sell or distribute personal

information to third parties except as required by law.

All assistance requests are reviewed carefully by the Minnesota Kids Foundation Board of Directors. While we strive to help as many families as possible, approval is based on available funding and alignment with our mission.

Please allow up to 30 days for review and response. We may contact you if additional information is needed.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we thoughtfully consider each request.

Minnesota Kids Foundation understands that certain situations may require urgent consideration.

If this request involves a time-sensitive emergency (such as imminent medical needs, housing instability, or program deadlines), please indicate below and provide documentation supporting the urgency.

Expedited requests may be reviewed outside of the standard 30-day timeline at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Approval is not guaranteed and remains subject to available funding and mission alignment.