What will be the next Puerto Rico? The next Houston? The next Fukushima?

We can’t predict where an earthquake will hit, a volcano will erupt or severe weather events will devastate entire communities. But we can get ready.

Knowing that there will always be disasters, and that Steelcase people will always want to help the victims, the Steelcase Foundation has established a permanent crisis response matching gift program.

We are proud that the Foundation has been able to establish short-term matching programs to amplify employee response to past crises, but each of these efforts took some time to arrange. Now, we are happy to announce our Foundation Board of Trustees has approved a permanent program. Eligible employees and retirees in the U.S. who give to eligible organizations can give up to $10,000 per year — before, after or during a crisis — with confidence that their gift will be matched. This is in addition to the existing $10,000 per year that is granted to individuals for gifts to Art/Culture, Conservation and Education under the standard matching gifts program.

We have carefully chosen and vetted a small number of eligible organizations based on their stability, response to emergencies and work in long-term relief efforts. While all seven organizations are U.S.-based or a U.S.-based affiliate of a global organization, they all are dedicated to addressing needs around the world. (Please note that the Steelcase Foundation’s charter limits our giving to U.S.-based organizations only.)

The guidelines for the Crisis and Disaster Relief match are the same to the original Matching Gift program. Make a gift directly to the organization, upload a copy of the receipt or thank-you letter via our online form (matchinggifts.steelcase.com) and we’ll do the rest.

Only gifts to the following organizations will be matched in the Crisis and Disaster Relief program:

• American National Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross
• United Way Worldwide (crisis only donations; annual campaign pledges are not eligible)
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy
• Doctors without Borders (Medecins San Frontieres)
• Salvation Army
• Habitat for Humanity International
• Direct Relief

(The Steelcase Matching Gifts program is a benefit to all U.S-based employees and retirees)