KCH has funds available for our members and staff for a wide range of uses. Requests for support from one of our Member Support Funds can be made using the submission form below.
Have questions about Member Support Funds? Read the current Funding Committee Handbook, a guide for our Funding Committee (you call call them FunCom!) members that explains how FunCom works in detail.
MEMBER SUPPORT FUND GUIDELINES
Member Support Funds do NOT need to paid back to KCH!
Requests are considered by our Funding Committee, which is made up of one representative from each KCH collective and a staff liaison. FunCom meets monthly makes decisions on all pending requests at that time. You can reach our team by email at funding.committee@kalamazoo.coop.
Member Support Funds are limited, but please still ask for what you need! FunCom will take available fund balances into consideration when making decisions.
Anyone can donate to the Member Support Funds here. Please spread the word!
AVAILABLE MEMBER SUPPORT FUNDS
Financial Aid Fund
Purpose: To support members who have unexpected financial needs.
Criteria: For members. Waivers for Membership Charges for months more than 3 months in the past will not be approved (for example: if it is June, you cannot request a waiver for charges from March or earlier), and will cover a maximum of 50% of the total charges per month.
Examples: Membership charge waivers (“rent” waivers), medical supplies, utility bills, car insurance, food assistance
Food Security Fund
Purpose: To support developing systems for food security.
Criteria: For members.
Examples: Supplies for gardening, chickens, canning and other food preservation supplies
Co-op Development Fund
Purpose: Money for collectives to improve systems or culture at their co-ops. Requests must be submitted by collectives, and the collective members must gain consensus about the request before submitting.
Criteria: For members.
Examples: Trainings/workshops, infrastructure like bike garage or solar panels,
Solidarity Fund
Purpose: Bail and legal fees.
Criteria: For members and staff.
Examples: Bail for if you get arrested! Small legal & court fees associated with charges related to protest & solidarity work.
Professional Development Fund
Purpose: To support members to pay fees and expenses associated with their paid work, or to help start up a small business. For artists, self employed folks, and those who would like to start doing stuff for money.
Criteria: For members.
Examples: Licensing and fees for professional certifications, business expenses for phone and website services, ISBN # fees for self publishing a book, etc.
Beautification Fund
Purpose: To support the creation of visual culture within the KCH community.
Criteria: For members.
Examples: Murals on or in our houses, signs, permanent art projects, etc.
Wellness Fund
Purpose: To support the resilience, wellbeing, and healing of our community.
Criteria: For members and staff.
Examples: Climbing gym memberships, happy lamps for houses, bodywork and healing arts.
Events Fund
Purpose: To support members in organizing events for KCH and the wider community.
Criteria: For members.
Examples: Trainings and workshops, music and art shows, retreats, etc.
Accessibility Fund
Purpose: Funds improvements to our houses and systems to remove barriers to access.
Criteria: For members.
Examples: Physical accessibility improvements (ramps, fixtures, etc), systems improvements (application process revisions, etc).