We are ready to distribute our second round of aid funding!

Our Round 2 Aid Request Form is live as of May 26, 2026. Hampshire College employees have TWO WEEKS to submit a request by the June 10, 11:59 PM deadline.

Eligibility is open to all Hampshire College staff and faculty, with priority given to those laid off with a June 16 termination date and who have not yet received aid. Individuals must be willing to provide basic contact information, submit a W-9 for payment processing, and receive funds by mailed check. Aid will be distributed in set amounts ($1,000, $1,500, $2,000, or $2,500) based on need.

Submit a request for emergency relief funding

Aid Request form

Application and review process

  1. Applicant completes a short online form and selects their requested aid amount.

  2. A review group (made up of two staff and two faculty members) reviews all applications submitted by the deadline (May 20, 11:59 PM). Applications received by the deadline will be reviewed without preference to time submitted (this is not “first come first serve”).

  3. The review group meets to verify eligibility criteria and determine allocation amounts.

    If the total amount requested by applicants does not exceed the funds raised, we will provide the requested fund amounts for each applicant who meets the eligibility criteria.

    If the total amount requested by applicants exceeds the funds raised, we will prioritize employees laid off effective June 16; if the total requested amount by June 16 laid off employees is still greater than the funds raised, we will adjust aid amounts to fit within the funds we have raised.

  4. The review group informs applicants of the aid amount allocated to them and provides instructions for completing payment details.

  5. Aid recipients submit payment information, including mailing address and W-9 tax form. Payment will be dispersed shortly after.

Questions and Answers

  • If you are allocated funds, you will need to provide a W-9 tax form. This is required so our non-profit partner can issue payments and maintain records in line with IRS requirements. The aid is provided to you as a gift and is not considered taxable income to the recipient.

  • Requests will be reviewed confidentially by a small group of staff and faculty. Final membership of this group is still being determined from among those who have volunteered with this effort.

  • If you are unable to receive a mailed check, please email helphampshireworkers@gmail.com so we can work with you to determine our options.

  • There is no strict threshold. If the loss of job/income is creating financial strain in the near term—covering rent, food, healthcare, childcare, transportation, or avoiding depletion of limited savings—you can request funds.

  • Request aid now. Priority will be given to employees laid off with June 16 termination dates, and registering your need helps us plan distribution and continue fundraising.

  • A group of 10 staff and faculty came together following a call for volunteers and included Lorenzo Conte, Nathalie Arnold, rl Goldberg, Alexandria Donkor, Alice Loeb Jenkins, Charlotte Senders, Emily Landeck, Faune Albert, Jina Fast, and Kristen Luschen.
    This team developed the distribution plan, which was then shared for comment with all staff and faculty.

  • Here’s our reasoning:

    We trust our colleagues, and requests for aid should not require detailed justifications or require coworkers to perform their needs.

    Simplicity is important in the design of this effort: the process for requesting aid, reviewing requests, and distributing funds must be straightforward, quick to complete, and easy to administer. Requests will be reviewed in confidence by a small group of staff and faculty.

    Allocated relief funds provide direct financial assistance to laid-off Hampshire College employees for immediate needs: housing, food, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and related expenses. These funds prioritize individuals experiencing financial precarity.