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For over 20 years, AWCI CARES—part of the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry—has been a vital lifeline for our industry family during times of unexpected hardship.
The acronym stands for Caring Action Relief in Emergency Situations, and it represents a steadfast commitment: when life turns upside down due to sudden medical crises, natural disasters, or family emergencies, no colleague stands alone. Since its inception, the program has distributed more than $557,775 to support members in need.
When unexpected crises strike, navigating financial hurdles shouldn’t be another burden. Our emergency grants provide rapid, confidential financial relief to eligible wall and ceiling industry contractors, workers and their families.
Applications are reviewed and a determination is made within two weeks (or less) by our review committee.
Your privacy is protected at every step of the review process.
Funds are disbursed quickly to cover immediate housing obligations, utilities or medical bills.
Who is eligible? AWCI members experiencing financial hardship due to unexpected emergencies, illnesses or accidents.
What is covered? Urgent living expenses, housing/mortgage payments and medical bills not covered by insurance.
Whether you are a project manager, estimator, foreperson, contractor or team member, you and your colleagues are part of our wall and ceiling industry family—and we are here to help. Click below to start your confidential request.
AWCI members need to complete and submit the application with all supporting documentation online.
Also required is a one-page, company sponsor verification. The company officer’s signature signifies the member company’s complete support for the consideration of the application and the dollar amount requested.
You can access more information about the AWCI CARES Financial Assistance here.
Once the application and company sponsor verification form are submitted, applications are considered final and complete. Should there be questions about the application, AWCI CARES will contact the employee sponsor and/or the applicant for clarification or for additional information. Both the sponsor and the applicant are informed throughout the process.
Applications are held in strict confidence. All personal information, including applicant name, company, and place of residence, as well as account numbers, invoices or other correspondence, is kept anonymous.
Every dollar donated to AWCI CARES goes directly to assisting colleagues in their darkest hours. Because administrative costs are fully covered, 100% of your gift provides real, life-changing support to individuals in the wall and ceiling community.
Contributes toward critical utility bills or essential household obligations during a crisis.
Helps cover a portion of urgent medical bills or housing payments.
Directly sponsors a major portion of an emergency grant for a worker facing a catastrophic event.
Every contribution makes an immediate difference toward our emergency relief fund.
Make this a monthly gift to sustain our industry safety net.
Important Note on Giving and Relief Distribution:
AWCI CARES provides financial relief by paying entities owed directly—such as medical providers, utility companies, or housing mortgage/rent holders—ensuring unrestricted flexibility to meet urgent needs wherever they arise. Donations are not restricted to specific line-item expenses.
Be the difference for a colleague in crisis.
Share this commemorative poster and paycheck insert to promote the CARES program.
We encourage you to post the poster in your office, on jobsites, or in your human resources department. Raising awareness is key because the CARES program can only help those who know it exists.
"I can NOT express enough my appreciation for this help! Thank you so much; I greatly appreciate it."
Grant Recipient
"I know this has lifted a huge burden and we are all so very appreciative."
HR Director of an AWCI Member Company Whose Employee is a Grant Recipient
"Words can not describe the gratefulness that my family and I have for you!! This will surely make my treatment easier, having peace of mind that bills can get paid."
Grant Recipient
"On behalf of everyone here, we extend our sincere appreciation for all that the AWCI CARES grant program has done."
CEO of an AWCI Member Company Whose Employee is a Grant Recipient
"I know the family are deserving and appreciate this so much. This is a great thing that AWCI does to help members in need."
EVP of an AWCI Member Company Whose Employee is a Grant Recipient
AWCI CARES is here when it matters most. For 20 years, AWCI CARES has provided financial assistance to employees and families facing unexpected hardship, offering compassionate support when they need it most.
Because when one of us is facing a difficult time, we come together to support our industry family.
Caring Action Relief in Emergency Situations (CARES) is a program funded and managed by the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry.
The program’s funds are available to the employees and families of AWCI member companies who have experienced a major illness, accident or hardship beyond their insurance and financial capabilities.
AWCI members need to complete and submit the application with all supporting documentation online. Also required is a one-page, company sponsor verification. The company officer’s signature signifies the member company’s complete support for the consideration of the application and the dollar amount requested.
All applications will be received by the director of education and foundation programs of the Association of Wall and Ceiling Industry. The privacy of the submitter is respected throughout the application review process. Copies of the anonymous application and supporting materials will be forwarded to the members of the AWCI CARES Leadership Team for consideration.
The AWCI CARES Leadership Committee will determine grant amounts based on documentation of need, other pending requests and total funds available. Not all grant requests will receive funding.
All applications will receive communication from AWCI’s director of education and foundation programs within two weeks after the application is received. Applications will be considered and processed by the committee within 30 days.
