In May 2020, we created the first-ever Seyfarth Shaw Employee Assistance Fund (“the Fund”). The purpose of the Fund is to support our colleagues who may be facing financial hardship during a crisis. Although the COVID-19 pandemic and the many inquiries from Seyfarthians wanting to know how they could help were what inspired our Executive Committee to create the Fund, this will be an ongoing program for future hardships as well, such as those caused by natural disasters.
The Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation launched the Fund with $50,000 in seed money. We then ran a fundraising campaign for individuals to contribute to the Fund. The response was overwhelming, and in just a few months, the individual donations totaled $95,950, with donations ranging from $25 to $10,000. It was the largest individual fundraising campaign in Seyfarth history.
As of early 2021, more than two dozen applications for assistance have been approved, and more than $80,000 has gone to people needing help with things like medical expenses, rent, utility bills, and other out-of-pocket costs. We thank everyone who donated to the Fund and expect this Fund to be a lasting legacy for many years to come.