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.
The Protocol
Information and eligibility guidelines coming soon.
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.
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
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.
- 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%.
- the Authorization for Release of Medical Records (this form does not need to be notarized).
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, 2022Town Hall Meeting and public comment period ends
July 21, 2022Steering Committee meets to approve Final Protocol
July 23, 2022Applications completed (with required documentation) and submitted to the Fund Administrators
August 16 – September 14, 2022All personal meetings requested with the Fund Administrators completed
August 11, 2022 – September 13, 2022Deadline for submission of applications
September 14, 2022Fund closes to donations
September 20, 2022Steering Committee approves Funds Distribution Plan
October 19, 2022Sign Up for Updates
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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.