Grantmaking & Disbursement Policy

(Adopted by the Founders – Sterling and Jena)

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all Hope Grants distributed by the HopeWin Foundation are awarded fairly, transparently, and in alignment with our mission — to bring hope, stability, and relief to individuals and families facing genuine hardship across the United States.

Hope Grants are funded directly through member-supported donations. They are intended to create meaningful impact for people who need a helping hand — not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

Grantmaking Overview

Each month, the HopeWin Foundation reviews and selects Hope Grant recipients from among member applicants. Applications are submitted through the HopeWin Members Portal and reviewed personally by the founders.

All decisions are made with compassion, fairness, and discretion, ensuring that each Hope Grant truly reflects the heart of our mission.

Guiding Principles for Selection

The HopeWin Foundation evaluates each application through a holistic review process guided by the following five principles:

1. Demonstrated Need

We prioritize individuals or families facing clear, immediate financial hardship or life-impacting challenges.

This may include, but is not limited to:

Medical expenses or emergencies

Loss of income or housing

Essential family or educational needs

Sudden crises or unforeseen hardships

2. Hopeful Impact

We seek opportunities where a Hope Grant can make a visible and meaningful difference — helping recipients find stability, regain independence, or move forward with renewed hope.

Every dollar is given with the intent to create lasting positive change.

3. Authentic Story & Spirit of Hope

Applicants are encouraged to share their story honestly and from the heart. We value sincerity, resilience, and gratitude — a spirit that reflects the true meaning of hope even during life’s most difficult moments.

4. Fairness & Community Representation

We strive to distribute Hope Grants equitably across different communities and situations, ensuring that the collective generosity of our members reaches a wide range of deserving individuals.

5. Available Funding & Sustainability

Hope Grants are awarded based on available monthly funds and the number of eligible applicants.

Applicants not selected may be reconsidered in future months as funding allows.

Holistic Review & Founder Discretion

While the principles above guide our process, each application is reviewed as a whole person and story — not as a checklist. The founders may use judgment, compassion, and discretion when making selections to ensure each Hope Grant aligns with HopeWin’s mission and impact goals.

“Every story is unique. We review each with empathy, care, and heart.”

The founders reserve the right to determine final selections and funding amounts at their sole discretion. All decisions are final and non-appealable.

Grant Amounts and Exceptions

Typical Hope Grants range from $500 to $5,000, depending on need and available funding.

However, the HopeWin Foundation recognizes that certain hardships — such as severe medical emergencies, loss of a home, or other extraordinary circumstances — may require greater support.

In such cases, larger custom grant requests may be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the founders, provided sufficient funds are available and the request aligns with HopeWin’s mission and financial capacity.

Verification and Eligibility

To ensure honesty and fairness for all members:

Recipients may be asked to verify details of their application prior to receiving funds.

Verification may include proof of identity, address, or documentation supporting the hardship described.

Any falsified or misleading information will result in disqualification from future consideration.

Applicants must:

Be active HopeWin members in good standing.

Be residents of the United States.

Submit only one application per household per grant cycle.

Disbursement of Funds

Approved Hope Grants are distributed directly to recipients, typically via secure electronic transfer (e.g., PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle).

In some cases, payment by check may be issued.

Recipients will be contacted directly by the HopeWin Foundation to confirm details before payment is processed.

Grant amounts are determined by the founders based on available funds, verified need, and impact potential.

If applicable, recipients will receive any required tax forms (e.g., Form 1099) for record-keeping purposes.

Story Sharing and Community Transparency

By submitting a Hope Grant application, applicants consent to allow HopeWin to share their story (in whole or in part) if they are selected for a grant.

When shared publicly — whether on the website, social media, or in transparency reports — stories are anonymized for privacy. Only the recipient’s first name, last initial, and state will appear, along with an edited version of their story that protects any personal or identifying details.

This process allows HopeWin’s community to celebrate the hope they’ve helped create while safeguarding every recipient’s dignity and privacy.

Confidentiality and Transparency

All applicant information is kept strictly confidential.

Aggregate grant totals, impact data, and funding summaries are included in HopeWin’s Monthly Transparency Reports for all members to view.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Hope Grants are awarded without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.

Every applicant is treated with dignity and respect — because hope belongs to everyone.