One thing we’ve discovered over the years is that some people simply don’t have a safety net. Something happens – an accident, an unexpected illness, some kind of reversal – and things can go from bad to worse quickly.

Over the years, Big Sunday (and the incredible Big Sunday community) has often been able to respond to these requests. These have included everything from beds for vets to food for folks to assisting with funeral costs in the wake of a tragedy.

The Big Sunday Emergency Fund was created to help meet these occasional, non-recurring needs.

Here’s how it works:

1. All requests for the Emergency Fund must come through a registered 501(c)(3) organization or a school.
2. Each request is considered and vetted separately.
3. Requests must be non-recurring.
4. Requests can be for cash or in-kind donations.
5. If the request is for cash and Big Sunday is able to help, we will commit a certain amount of money to the cause. Big Sunday will then reach out to the Big Sunday Community to match or surpass that amount. If the community surpasses the pledged amount, the extra funds will go back into the Big Sunday Emergency fund to help replenish it.
6. Donations made to The Big Sunday Emergency Fund are made through regular Big Sunday channels. Please specify that your donation is for The Emergency Fund. You can specify whether it is for a specific collection, or simply to be put in the general Emergency Fund. Either way, your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
7. Big Sunday keeps 10% of Emergency Fund donations to cover the costs of keeping the fund running.
8. The Big Sunday Lemonade Brigade is a special initiative where anyone can host a lemonade stand anywhere (kid-friendly or adult-friendly) with proceeds going to replenish the Big Sunday Emergency Fund.

If you have a true emergency and need help, please contact us at emergencyfund@bigsunday.org. You can reach us here with any other questions about The Big Sunday Emergency Fund, too.

If you would like to be included on a list for special Big Sunday Emergency Fund needs, please contact us at emergencyfund@bigsunday.org, too.

You can donate to The Big Sunday Emergency Fund here. 

Would you like to host a lemonade stand? Great! Contact us at lemonade@bigsunday.org.