Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund
Members of our 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotel, and Treehouse Hotel family have been deeply impacted financially by the closures of our signature restaurants, bars, and in some cases hotels, in compliance with local laws surrounding the global COVID-19 pandemic. We created the Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund to directly support those on our team who need it most, our hourly and furloughed employees. If you’ve ever had a memorable experience at any of our establishments and have the means to give back, we’d love if you supported our team.
Our Founder and Chairman, Barry Sternlicht has donated $500,000 to seed the fund and will be matching contributions by up to an additional $500,000.
DONOR FAQs
Why donate to the Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund?
While we all hope our coworkers and neighbors are never affected by a hardship, at Starwood, it’s our responsibility to be there to support them as best we can when a crisis hits. Your donation will help us get cash directly to our employees and team members when they need it most. In an emergency, affected employees submit a confidential application to EAF whom approves or not approves each grant application based upon an objective, needs based, assessment. No Starwood nor affiliate employees are involved in the grant making process.
Who can donate to the Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund?
Anyone, including employees, customers, vendors, sympathetic individuals, community groups, and more may donate to the Fund. We hope that everyone donates, and every dollar truly does count. Every donation makes a difference and can be structured as a one- time gift or an ongoing periodic contribution.
How much of my donation goes to fellow employees?
Our goal is to enable Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund to personally help as many team members as possible, and therefore 100% of employee donations support fellow Starwood and SH employees. Our founder, Barry Sternlicht, is covering the cost of all fund operating expenses to ensure that this is the case.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes, all donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. to the full extent permissible by law.
How can donations/contributions be made?
All donations (Wire, Electronic Funds Transfer (ACH), Check, etc.) MUST include a note or other identifying statement including “Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund” so that your donation counts for our Fund.
Direct ACH Wire Transfer:
Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc.
acct: 0166382084
aba: 062005690
SWIFT Code: UPNBUS44 (for International Wires only) Regions Bank, P.O. Box 681, Birmingham, AL 35201
For further credit (Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund)
Payroll Deduction - we recommend and encourage employees to use payroll deduction as an easy way to contribute.
Credit / Debit cards - click on the “Donate” button on the Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund web page. You can make a one-time donation or set up a monthly amount.
Text to Give – In the U.S. you can donate by texting SWOOD to 71777 and donate by credit/debit card.
Securities - For in-kind publicly traded securities, direct the assets to:
Custodian: Fidelity Investments
ACAT/DTC Number: 0226
Account Name: Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc.
Account Number: Z73657727
Memo/Reference: EAF – “Starwood Cares Employee Relief Fund”.
Have the broker/donor notify [email protected] when the transfer is made so we can sell upon receipt.
Please note that the transfer of securities by your broker may take several business days.
How often do I have to update my payroll deduction authorization?
When you set up a recurring payroll deduction you will continue to donate the amount you set until you change or stop it by submitting a new form.
How can I change or stop a contribution by payroll deduction?
To stop or change the amount of a payroll deduction contribution, please submit a new form with the updated information. The form provides details on how to do this. Please submit the form to the HR or People Operations contact for your work location
How do I stop the credit/debit card monthly donation?
If you wish to stop recurring credit/debit card donations that you set up using the online portal, please email [email protected] with a request to cancel the recurring donation.
Can donations be directed to a specific employee?
Unfortunately no, regulations do not allow for donations to be earmarked for specific individuals. All donations are added to the fund so as to support as many employees of Starwood and its affiliates as possible.
Will Starwood or SH match my gift?
Starwood and SH want to encourage employee participation in the fund and so all employee donations are eligible for our donation matching program. For every dollar donated up to a total of $500,000 (across all donation sources), our founder, Barry Sternlicht will personally match your donation.
Do I get an acknowledgement for my donation?
Payroll deduction – The end-of-year pay stub along with a completed copy of the payroll deduction enrollment form is an acceptable form of documentation to file taxes.
Check – Cancelled checks are acceptable forms of documentation for gifts under $250. Each donor of $250 or more will receive an acknowledgement from Emergency Assistance Foundation. If you would like to receive an acknowledgement, please provide your e-mail address.
Credit / Debit cards – Credit / Debit card statements are acceptable forms of documentation for gifts under $250. Each donor of $250 or more will receive an acknowledgement from Emergency Assistance Foundation. If you would like to receive an acknowledgement, please provide your e-mail address.
Marketable securities – Emergency Assistance Foundation will send you an acknowledgement validating receipt of the gift. If you would like to receive an acknowledgement, please provide your e-mail address.
Do I have to contribute to the Fund to be eligible to apply for assistance?
Not at all. Donating to the Fund is completely voluntary. Eligibility for assistance is based upon need and qualifying circumstances.
Who can I contact for more information?
You may also contact Dawne Cohn, [email protected], or the Human Resources and/or People Operations contact for your work location for more information about the Fund.
APPLICANT FAQs
To view applicant FAQs, click here.