Together, We Drive
Hope Forward

All active full-time or part-time employees (both salaried and hourly) of Strickland Brothers are eligible to apply. Applicants must have completed their New Employee Orientation period (180 days) and be in good standing.

Qualifying Events are unexpected or unavoidable circumstances outside of an individual’s control that create a financial hardship for an individual and their family. These are usually one-time events that cause an individual to spend their rent, mortgage, or utility money on unexpected bills. A “Qualifying Event” is a Qualified Disaster or Personal Hardship. Qualifying Events must have occurred no more than six (6) months prior to the application date.

If an employee has suffered a Qualifying Event in accordance with Fund policy, then they may submit an application for a grant from the Accelerate Hope Fund to assist with Covered Expenses. A non-exhaustive list of bills, costs, payments, and other expenses the Fund has deemed as covered expenses are identified in the policy. The Fund will not grant assistance for expenses that are ineligible under the policy. A non-exhaustive list of Ineligible Expenses is also listed in the policy. To be considered for a grant for a covered expense, applicants must submit required documentation that substantiates the Qualifying Event for which the need for assistance is based.

Please contact the Internal Accelerate Hope Committee (AHC) with questions. AHC may be reached via email at accerelatehopeeap@acceleratedbrands.com

• Photos of damage
• Personal financial statements (verification of family income and expenses; other available assets)
• Insurance claims, explanation(s) of benefits and deductibles
• Police reports
• Repair estimates with readily verifiable contact information
• W-9 of creditor to whom a payment is being issued. The W-9 is necessary for Accelerate Hope to issue funds to a creditor on an employee’s behalf
• Receipts of incurred expenses
• Overdue billing statements
• Certification of medical condition
• Certificate of death
• Medical bills
• Funeral costs/estimates

While there is no limit to the number of applications an employee can submit, an employee cannot apply for the same event more than once. Priority will be given to those who have not received funds previously.

Qualifying Events must have occurred no more than six (6) months prior to the application date. Once an application for a category of a Qualifying Event is denied, an application may not be resubmitted for the same Qualifying Event.

Awards of assistance shall be made based on financial need and the severity and impact of the disaster or other emergency had on the applicant and their family. Applications will be evaluated with consideration for previous submissions and disbursements. Priority will be given to employees who have not previously received assistance through the fund.

The maximum amount that can be awarded to an applicant is $1,000 per calendar year. Additionally, no more than $5,000 can be awarded to an individual during their employment.

Assistance from the Fund, pertaining to all grant applications, is subject to the availability of funds, the extent of each applicant’s need, and the satisfactory completion of the application as determined in Accelerate Hope Committee (AHC) sole discretion in accordance with these and other guidelines established in the Fund Policy.

Yes, They are subject to income tax.

Please contact the Internal Accelerate Hope Committee (AHC) with questions. AHC may be reached via email at accerelatehopeeap@acceleratedbrands.com

Yes, all applications must be completed online. Employees will be provided guidance and directions for submitting the application and any required documentation.

The application site is mobile-friendly and can be completed using a smartphone. Employees may also use electronic devices provided by Strickland Brothers and are located at their shops to submit an application. If you are unable to complete an application online, you may email our EAF Support Team for further assistance at: accerelatehopeeap@acceleratedbrands.com

In the event an employee is incapacitated or otherwise unable to complete the application, the application may be completed by another individual. This could be your manager or an immediate family member.

No employees are encouraged to have all the required information prior to beginning the application.

You will be contacted by a member of the AHC if additional information is needed to review your application materials. Requests for additional information will be sent via email. If materials are not received within seven (7) business days, AHC will close an application as incomplete.

Decisions will be made within ten (10) business days upon receipt of a completed application. Decisions will not be made until all application materials have been determined to be complete by AHC. Applications missing core materials will delay the decision and award process, so it is critical to respond to requests for additional information in a timely manner. Final decisions will be sent in writing via email.

Payments are deposited with the employees check and coded as grant.

An appeal may be submitted for denial of an application within ten (10) business days of receipt of notification of denial. Appeals must be submitted via email to accerelatehopeeap@acceleratedbrands.com. Appeals not containing new information will not be considered by AHC and applicants are only allowed one (1) appeal per denied application.

AHC will take every precaution to maintain confidentiality and privacy of applicants, as well as provide a secure and compliant online application process. By submission of an application, the personal information included in this application will be accessed by a limited number of authorized people affiliated with AHC for the purposes of assessing the application and processing payments where applicable.

The personal circumstances of an individual’s application will not be shared with your manager.

Please contact Accelerate Hope Committee at accerelatehopeeap@acceleratedbrands.com for questions about your application..