About
On May 24, 2022, Uvalde, Texas endured horrific violence when a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School, killing nineteen students and two teachers. The entire nation is heartbroken. Many have asked how to help.
In partnership with San Antonio Area Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, the National Compassion Fund has established the Uvalde Together We Rise 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 victims and survivors of this atrocity. Qualifying charitable donations to this fund are tax deductible.
The National Compassion Fund is the leading authority on financial assistance to victims of mass casualty events. It is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime, the nation’s leading resource and advocacy center for victims of all types of crime.
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 Halls
Town Halls will be hosted by the local Steering Committee on July 19, 2022 at 6:00pm and August 11, 2022 at 11:30am to hear public comment on the Draft Protocol and explain the application process.
Uvalde Fairplex
215 Veterans Ln
Uvalde, TX 78801
Application Information
Each type of application has 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
- the Authorization for Release of Educational Records for student applicants or the Employment Attendance Authorization for staff applicants (these forms must also be signed by a witness, but do not need to be notarized)
- 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 Educational Records for student applicants or the Employment Attendance Authorization for staff applicants (these forms must also be signed by a witness, but do not need to be notarized)
- the Authorization for Release of Medical Records (this form must also be signed by a witness, but does not need to be notarized).
- the Authorization for Release of Educational Records for student applicants or the Employment Attendance Authorization for staff applicants (these forms must also be signed by a witness, but do not need to be notarized)
- the sworn Affidavit (this form must 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:
- Check (For those under the age of 18, receiving income-based government assistance, or those unable to receive funds via Zelle)
- Zelle (For those who are 18 or over only)
Check payments:
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”.
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 Oxford HS Survivors Fund payment.
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.
PROCESS OVERVIEW
Timeline
Shooting occurs
November 30, 2021Publish Draft Protocol and public comment period begins
February 15, 2022Town Hall Meeting and public comment period ends
March 21, 2022Steering Committee meets to approve Final Protocol
March 22, 2022Fund closes to donations
May 20, 2022All personal meetings requested with the Fund Administrators completed
March 21, 2021 – May 6, 2022Deadline for submission of applications
May 6, 2022Steering Committee approves Funds Distribution Plan
June 13, 2022Sign Up for Updates
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Register for the Town Halls & Submit Written Feedback
Written feedback and questions about the Draft Protocol and must be submitted by August 10th. The Town Halls will be held on July 19, 2022 at 6:00pm and August 11, 2022 at 11:30am at the Uvalde Fairplex, 215 Veterans Ln, Uvalde, TX.