When the unexpected strikes, FCIF is there to help those in the flooring business or trade who have experienced a crisis such as catastrophic medical or mental illness or injury/disability. The circumstances may vary, but the results are often similar--the individual’s livelihood is threatened.

That’s why floor covering industry people in crisis turn to FCIF when they need assistance.

If you are, or have been, employed in the floor covering industry and are facing a life-threatening crisis, FCIF may be able to help.

The Foundation helps floor covering industry retailers, installers, retail salespersons, distributor personnel, mill employees, and executives. The Foundation’s Distribution Committee reviews and approves applications.

To review and/or print a copy of the grant eligibility guidelines and the financial assistance application, please download the pdf application or call FCIF staff at 714.634.0302. Grant approval is based on individual need and disbursed at the discretion of the Distribution Committee.

The Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) was created to help ease the often unbearable financial burdens faced by those in the floor covering industry who encounter life-altering hardship, such as catastrophic illnesses or severe disabilities.

When the Foundation was created more than 20 years ago, the founders envisioned an organization that would express the social responsibility of caring for our ill and injured co-workers. Since 1980, the Foundation has provided financial assistance to individuals who have been employed in the floor covering industry.

The Foundation’s criteria for grants are catastrophic medical/mental illness or severe disabilities and financial need. Grants are awarded on the basis of need for such expenses as medical care, medications, medical supplies, and other expenses related to beneficiary/living care. Grants may be given for a specific medical procedure or for ongoing therapy.

Our assistance program is funded through private donations and endowments, corporate contributions, and bequests. The FCIF Board of Directors and staff executives administer the assistance grant program.

Since the Foundation depends on charitable contributions from industry employees, companies, manufacturers, and industry associations, the amount of assistance that can be provided, as well as the number of beneficiaries who can be helped, is determined by the availability of funds. At times, it may be necessary to place an approved beneficiary on a waiting list until funds become available. Approved applicants will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis. The Distribution Committee meets approximately every four months to review applications.

All applicant information is kept confidential.

Submission of a Financial Assistance Application, and career documentation are required to determine eligibility for services.

The applicant must be diagnosed by a practicing, certified physician as having a life-altering hardship such as catastrophic medical crisis, injury, or disability, or mental illness.

The applicant must be in extreme financial need--with other sources such as family assistance, medical insurance, and disability insurance depleted.

The applicant’s liquid assets (cash, checking, and savings accounts, money market accounts, stocks, certificates of deposit, bonds, and mutual funds) will be considered. [Note: Liquid assets do not include car or house.]

The physician’s diagnosis should be included with the application.

A copy of the most recent tax return filed by the applicant’s household is required. (Note: Approved applicant’s will be sent a W-9 form to complete, sign, and return.)

All applicants, whether denied or approved, will receive notification in writing.

The application, with originial signatures, and accompanying materials must be mailed to the Foundation office.

All grant beneficiaries are required to provide ongoing medical and financial reports and documents as requested by the Foundation.

The financial assistance to beneficiaries will be reviewed annually; any continued assistance will be determined by the Foundation Board of Directors.

No loans are given.

Grants may be awarded on a one-time, specific procedure basis or may be awarded as a monthly stipend.

Grant amounts are based on documentation of financial need, with the grants disbursed at the discretion of the Foundation Board of Directors; all decisions by the Board are final.