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a subsidiary of

Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund

About

On May 14, 2022, the Buffalo community suffered a devastating act of violence when a gunman opened fire at the Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue, killing ten people and wounding three. Many have asked how to help.

In partnership with Tops, the National Compassion Fund has established the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund to provide direct financial assistance to the survivors of the deceased and those directly affected by this tragedy.

One hundred percent of the contributions donated to this Fund will go directly to survivors and victims of this tragedy. Donations made to this Fund are tax deductible.

The National Compassion Fund is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime, the nation’s leading resource and advocacy organization for crime victims and those who serve them. The National Center for Victims of Crime is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and a leading authority in compensating victims of mass casualty events.

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The Protocol

Information and eligibility guidelines coming soon.  

  • View the DRAFT Protocol
  • View the FINAL Protocol
  • Ver el Protocolo DRAFT (Spanish)
Submit feedback

Other Information

Oakland County’s Board of Commissioners (BOC) is partnering with the Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) to launch an Oxford School Mental Health Funding Assistance Program in support of persons directly impacted by the recent tragedy.

  • Oxford Community Mental Health Services Copay and Deductible Program

Town Hall

A Town Hall will be hosted by the local Steering Committee on July 21, 2022 at 6:00pm to hear public comment on the Draft Protocol and explain the application process. The meeting will be held in-person and streamed live on Facebook.

City Honors School
186 E. North Street
Buffalo, NY 14204

Register

Application Information

Applications may have a number of documents which need to be completed and uploaded as part of the process.  Please review the information below, download, and complete the documents for the category of benefits you are eligible for before beginning the online application. Please note that there are various signature, witness, and notarization requirements for each document.

For Category A (Death Benefits) you will need:
  • a copy of the death certificate
  • a Consent to Distribution form for each person who will receive funds (this form must be notarized). If only one person in your family will receive funds, list the percentage as 100%.  If more than one person in your family will receive funds, the cumulative total of all the consent forms for your family must equal 100%.
For Categories B and C (Injury Benefits) you will need:
  • the Authorization for Release of Medical Records (this form does not need to be notarized).
The online application must be submitted by a person over the age of 18. If the victim is over 18, they may submit their own application.  If the victim is under 18, the online application must be submitted by a parent or guardian. 
 
When an application is completed by a parent or other representative for the victim, the representative’s information should be entered in the fields marked “applicant” and the victim’s information should be entered in the fields marked “victim.” Individuals who fill out an application on behalf of a victim will need to provide proof of their relationship to the victim, such as a birth certificate or letter of appointment.

Payment Information

Funds are distributed once the Steering Committee approves a distribution plan for approved applicants. Funds will be distributed in the following ways: 

  • Zelle (For those who are 18 or over only)
  • Check (For those under the age of 18, receiving income-based government assistance, or those unable to receive funds via Zelle)

Zelle payments:

Victims or beneficiaries over the age of 18, who do not require a Special Needs Trust, may be paid via Zelle.

Find Zelle in the mobile banking app of your bank or by downloading the Zelle app. Zelle is supported through many major banks. 

Check payments:

Special Needs Trusts– If you are receiving income-based government assistance, we recommend that you consult an attorney to set up a Special Needs Trust so none of your government benefits will be negatively affected by receiving this gift. If you happen to already have a Special Needs Trust, that Trust might be able to be used for your Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund payment.

Custodial Accounts – In accordance with the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act, payments to minor victims or beneficiaries must be placed in a custodial bank account. As part of the online application, you will be asked to enter the name of the custodial account so we know how to make the check payable. A custodial bank account is one that is in the child’s name, but for which the parent or guardian acts as custodian. If the child does not already have a custodial bank account, we recommend that you open one prior to submitting your application. Any bank can set up a custodial account for you. A custodial account will typically be named something like: “Custodian John Smith on behalf of Adrian Smith” or ”Custodial Account for Adrian Smith”.

PROCESS OVERVIEW

Timeline

Shooting occurs

May 14, 2022

First meeting of Steering Committee; approve Draft Protocol and send for translation

June 10, 2022

Publish Draft Protocol and public comment period begins

June 20, 2022

Town Hall Meeting and public comment period ends

July 21, 2022

Steering Committee meets to approve Final Protocol

July 23, 2022

Receive Final Protocol translations

July 25, 2022

Final Protocol published to NCF website for survivors, victims, and interested parties

July 26, 2022

Application is available online. Application instructions are disseminated to all known applicants and potential applicants.

August 16, 2022

Applications completed (with required documentation) and submitted to the Fund Administrators

August 16 – September 14, 2022

All personal meetings requested with the Fund Administrators completed

August 11, 2022 – September 13, 2022

All applications reviewed by the Fund Administrators. Recommendations for payments to eligible applicants submitted to the Steering Committee for independent review and approval.

August 16, 2022 – October 14, 2022

Deadline for submission of applications

September 14, 2022

Fund closes to donations

September 20, 2022

Steering Committee approves Funds Distribution Plan

October 19, 2022

Distribution of payments to approved eligible beneficiaries begins on a rolling basis

October 24, 2022

Three weeks after the end of the month in which all disbursements are completed Independent auditing firm conducts examination of Fund according to Agreed Upon Procedures

+3 Weeks

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Register for the Town Hall & Submit Written Feedback

Written feedback and questions about the Draft Protocol and must be submitted by July 20th. The Town Hall will be held on  July 21, 2022 at 6:00pm at the City Honors School, 186 E. North Street, Buffalo, NY 14204.

With the generous support of GoFundMe.

The National Compassion Fund is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime. All donations are tax exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). Our EIN is 30-0022798.

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