The NAIFA Family Response Fund is open to assist members of the association who suffer losses due to Hurricane Ian, which is expected to impact much of Florida as a potentially catastrophic storm. The Fund is also open to assist NAIFA members who suffered losses due to Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and the federally declared Mississippi Water Crisis.
NAIFA originally created the NAIFA Family Response Fund to assist members affected by earlier hurricanes and later expanded it to help NAIFA members with unexpected out-of-pocket medical or funeral expenses related to the COVID-19 outbreak. It has also been open to members affected by severe winter storms and wildfires.
"People turn to their insurance and financial professionals when disaster strikes and NAIFA members are always there to help,” said NAIFA President Lawrence Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP. “But we often forget that agents and advisors are also directly impacted by natural disasters. NAIFA Nation is a family and we are always quick to step up when we see our family members in need.”
Anyone who would like to donate and NAIFA members or dependents seeking assistance may do so on the NAIFA Family Response Fund web page.
NAIFA worked with its grant-management partner, the Community Foundation of Acadiana, to establish the fund and is currently accepting contributions to meet pressing needs. The NAIFA Family Response Fund follows similar relief efforts NAIFA created for members affected by other natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017, Hurricane Florence in 2018, Western U.S. wildfires in 2020, Hurricane Ida in 2021, and devastating Texas winter storms in 2021.
The NAIFA Family Response Fund provides immediate financial assistance to NAIFA members who experience financial hardship as a result of a declared natural disaster or emergency event. Grants will not be issued for lost wages or income and applicants must be NAIFA members in good standing to be eligible for financial assistance. Applicants must apply within 60 days of the qualifying event.