The Ardent Cares Foundation was created in 2018 following a devastating Category 5 hurricane that impacted hundreds of Ardent team members. In the event of an unexpected and unavoidable emergency that causes a severe financial hardship, team members may apply for assistance within the categories and qualifications listed below. Please remember that not all emergencies will warrant the maximum assistance.
The Ardent Cares Foundation is administered by the Tulsa Community Foundation, which is a public 501(c)3 organization that specializes in the management of charitable assistance for corporations. This third-party oversight includes a thorough and independent review process to manage grant applications, questions from applicants, approvals and the release of funds to qualified team members.
Who is eligible?
- Any Ardent team member being employed more than 90 days
- Team members employed by Ardent at the time of the qualifying event
- No more than one grant per team member per calendar year
- No more than two grants per team member over their Ardent employment period
- Immediate family includes spouse, sibling, children, step-children, grandchildren, parents, step-parents, grandparents, mother/father-in-law, son/daughter-in-law or qualified domestic partner as defined by Ardent benefits (you do not have to be enrolled in Ardent benefits to qualify)
What is covered?
Team members should use available resources such as medical/life insurance, PTO, short/long term disability before applying for assistance. Grants are limited to the following circumstances:
Home Catastrophe/Natural Disasters – Up to $2,500
Assistance after a natural or localized disaster (hurricane, fire, flood, tornado, mudslide, etc.) has destroyed the team member's personal residence, rendered it unlivable, or is otherwise in need of costly repairs. Funds are not available for costs covered by insurance.
Medical Emergency – Up to $1,500
For team members who have encountered financial hardships due to medical emergencies in the household (injury, hospitalization, loss of income during medical emergency, etc.).
Funeral or Emergency Travel for Immediate Family – Up to $1,500
Assistance for those who have incurred the loss of an immediate family member, if the team member is financially responsible for funeral arrangements and no other resources exist. For team members who must travel to visit or care for a terminally ill immediate family member or escort a critically ill immediate family member to an out-of-state medical facility. (Immediate family can include spouse, sibling, children, step-children, grandchildren, parents, step-parents, grandparents, mother/father-in-law, son/daughter-in-law or qualified domestic partner).
What to expect while applying
- Tulsa Community Foundation staff will reach out and provide assistance throughout the process.
- Documentation will be requested to support your request.
- Approved funds are typically mailed to the applicant in the form of a check made payable to the vendor requesting payment.
- Applications are confidential and identifying details are never shared with Ardent unless specific permission is provided to Ardent to share testimonial (either anonymously or with your name) to encourage support for Ardent’s fundraising efforts for the Foundation.
