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Employee Emergency Fund

Real support. Real impact. Employees helping employees.

What Is The Employee Emergency Fund?

The University of Arizona community has a long history of demonstrating compassion and for providing generous donations to colleagues in need. The UA Employee Emergency Fund, or EEF, was launched in 2012 to support employees facing critical unexpected expenses they can't afford. The fund is supported by donations from fellow employees through the UA Cares Workplace Giving Campaign.

Since it's inception, nearly 150 employees have been awarded up to $750 each to help with one-time, temporary financial hardships. Applications are reviewed confidentially by a dedicated committee of UA Cares ambassadors to ensure a safe and anonymous process.

What Do We Consider Temporary Hardship?

Sudden illness, a family crisis, or a natural disaster would all be considered temporary hardships. Examples of eligible expenses might include medical expenses for a sudden illness that are not covered by insurance, costs for travel out of state for a family member's funeral, transportation emergency costs such as an unexpected vehicle repair, or costs incurred as the result of a natural disaster.

To apply, please contact Nicole Roldan in the Office of Government & Community Relations at nroldan@arizona.edu.

Why Donate?

During times of crisis, the emotional toll can be overwhelming — and financial uncertainty only adds to the burden. Imagine facing one of the following situations, and how meaningful it would be to know that financial support is there when it’s needed most.

  • A coworker loses their mother in another state but can’t afford the airfare to attend the funeral. Your support helps them be there to say goodbye.

  • A teammate is in severe dental pain and needs urgent care. Because of the fund, they’re able to get the treatment they need and return to work without suffering.

  • A colleague’s car—their only way to get to work—breaks down. With your help, they don’t have to choose between fixing it and paying their rent.

Donate Once

We’ve made helping your local community easy, give a one-time gift (cash or check)

Give

Pledge Regular Giving

Support your colleagues, provide a sustained gift through payroll deduction on UAccess

Pledge

Apply for Assistance

We're here when you need it, benefit-eligible employees may apply now

Apply
A man looks into the camera while standing in front of a tree.

Zhennan Wang — a research scientist in the Department of Geosciences — his wife, and 7-year-old child were left without shelter after a thunderstorm microburst tore the roof off their home. The damage was so devastating the City of Tucson condemned the property immediately, leaving Wang and his family stressed and searching for temporary housing. 

A $500 grant from the Employee Emergency Fund helped Wang secure a short-term Airbnb and cover some of the moving costs while also allowing him and his wife a chance to focus on finding long-term housing. 

“This support from EEF made an overwhelming situation manageable,” Wang said. “It showed us how the University of Arizona community comes together in a time of crisis.” 

A man with short black hair and glasses looks directly into the camera.

Jesse Geborkoff, a network administrator with University Information Technology Services, received support from EEF and agrees how important the fund is to support our colleagues in challenging situations.

"Even if we all give just a little bit here and there, it goes a long way and helps somebody out when they're in a rough spot,” Geborkoff said. “It happens to all of us at some point in our lives.”

Need Additional Resources?

The following campus and community resources may help those looking to stretch their dollar: