COMMUNITY GRANT FUND

An Employer-Sponsored Employee Hardship Program

Explore the Full Program Details

From unexpected medical bills to sudden housing emergencies, the MBNA Community Grant Fund provides stability wherever life may take your employees.

If a financial crisis puts an employee or their family at risk…
One application to MBNA connects them with a trusted, nonprofit-managed support system—ready to step in, verify the need, and pay essential bills directly to the vendor.

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Empower Employees Facing Hardship Select a Fund to Support Below

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Join the community grant fund

Supporting your workforce has never been easier. Whether you're an employee seeking help or a business ready to provide it, MBNA guides you through every step. Our process is simple, secure, and fully managed by our nonprofit team—so you get clarity, fairness, and support from start to finish.

  • If you're facing a verified financial hardship, you may be eligible to receive support through your employer’s MBNA-managed fund. Applications are private, reviewed fairly, and never shared with your employer.
    What you should know before applying:

    • You must be an active employee of a participating employer.

    • Assistance is limited to one grant per cycle.

    • Funds are paid directly to the vendor, not the employee.

    • Documentation such as invoices, bills, and proof of hardship is required.

    • All applications are reviewed using MBNA’s standardized, unbiased scoring process.

  • Creating an employee hardship fund is simple, strategic, and impactful. MBNA handles all compliance, documentation, and payment processing—allowing you to support your team without managing sensitive information.
    What you should know before applying:

    • A $1,000 minimum donation activates your dedicated hardship fund.

    • A $500 minimum balance must be maintained throughout the selected cycle.

    • Choose a cycle length: 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.

    • MBNA keeps full legal control of the fund and ensures IRS-compliant administration.

    • Employers never select recipients or see private employee details.

Employee Hardship Grant Application
Participating Employer Application

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

  • No. Employers cannot recommend, select, influence, or approve individuals for assistance. All decisions are made independently by MBNA according to nonprofit regulations.

  • Yes. MBNA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors receive a formal tax receipt within 30 business days.

  • MBNA must receive:

    • A valid invoice or billing statement

    • Vendor W-9 (if needed)

    • Vendor payment information

    • Applicant authorization
      Payments cannot be processed without these documents.

  • If the balance falls below $500, MBNA may temporarily suspend new awards until the employer replenishes the fund.

  • All scoring sheets, decisions, and documentation are retained for seven years in compliance with nonprofit and audit standards.

  • To activate their hardship fund, employers must:

    • Contribute a minimum of $1,000

    • Maintain an ongoing minimum balance of $500
      They must also select a 3-, 6-, 9-, or 12-month grant cycle.

  • The MBNA Community Grant Fund is a nonprofit-administered program that allows approved businesses to create an employee hardship fund through MBNA. Employers donate to the fund, and employees experiencing verified financial hardship can apply directly to MBNA for assistance.

  • Any active employee of a participating employer may apply, as long as they are experiencing a verified financial hardship and have not received a grant during the current employer grant cycle.

  • Eligible hardships include:

    • Housing or rent emergencies

    • Utility bills

    • Medical expenses

    • Transportation needs

    • Education or workforce training costs

    • Emergency financial hardship situations
      These must be documented and verified.

  • No. All assistance is paid directly to verified vendors, such as landlords, utility companies, medical providers, or other approved service providers. MBNA never disburses funds to employees.

  • Employees may receive one grant per cycle, with awards up to $5,000, depending on financial need and the employer’s fund balance.

  • Employees submit a private, confidential application directly to MBNA. Required documents include:

    • A government-issued ID

    • Proof of employment

    • Vendor invoice or bill

    • Proof of hardship
      Applications are reviewed using MBNA’s standardized scoring system.

  • Employers do not receive employee names, personal details, or applications. They only receive aggregate, non-identifying reports, such as the number of employees assisted and types of hardships funded.