This statement outlines the conditions under which Cross Culture Church (CCC) may authorize and distribute benevolence funds. Benevolence disbursements are solely intended to provide essential support to individuals in need, covering basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, financial assistance, and other forms of aid.

Requests for benevolence that would benefit CCC employees, emissaries, or their immediate family members (including blood relatives) will not be approved. Benevolence is a non-taxable charitable contribution designed to alleviate financial hardship.

Donors cannot designate their contributions to be directed as benevolence to a specific individual. Doing so would classify the donation as a taxable contribution rather than a non-taxable charitable gift, as it would be considered a pass-through donation rather than a true charitable contribution.
 
To qualify for benevolence, the individual or family must belong to a recognized hardship class. For instance, individuals who fall below the poverty level qualify for benevolence. Other factors that may qualify someone for benevolence include, but are not limited to:

• loss of employment 
• death in the family of a primary wage earner 
• costly medical condition 
• severe hardship resulting from a natural disaster 
• critical injury or loss

Though not a comprehensive list of criteria, the elders will review each benevolence request.  

Benevolence will NOT be approved for:

• business investments, or anything that could be construed to bring financial profit to the individual or family 
• paying off credit cards. Exceptions can be made when an individual has had to use credit cards to pay for a crisis or emergency (e.g., hospitalization, death, etc.) 
• needs of individuals who are wanted by the law or for paying fines as a result of breaking the law
• legal fees - penalties relating to late payments or irresponsible actions 
• private school fees or tuition 

Approval Process

1. Submitting a Request

• Benevolence requests must be submitted either by the individual in need or by someone directly assisting them.
• Requests should be emailed to the Administrator at admin@crossculturechicago.org. The Administrator will forward the request to the Elders for review.

2. Required Information
The request must include:

• Name and address of the individual in need.
• Description of the circumstances and how they meet the benevolence criteria.
• Type of assistance requested (e.g., clothing, food, shelter, financial support, etc.).
• Contact information of the requestor (if submitting on behalf of another person) for follow-up questions.

3. Review & Decision

• The Administrator will provide the Elders with the request within three (3) business days of receipt.
• The Elders will assess whether the request meets the established criteria.
• Approval requires a simple majority vote from the Elders.
• The Elders will determine both the type and amount of benevolence to be provided.
• The Administrator will inform the requestor of the final decision.

4. Disbursement of Funds

• Approved benevolence disbursements will be issued within two (2) weeks of approval.
• Payments will be made directly to service providers (e.g., landlords, utility companies, medical facilities) rather than to the recipient.