An organization overseen by Foundation for the Carolinas has established a new, $50 million fund to support families of healthcare workers who have lost their lives due to COVID-19. 

E4E Relief, a subsidiary of the Foundation For The Carolinas, will provide cash grant awards through The Brave of Heart Fund for family members of the fallen. 

The funds will provide financial support for needs such as funeral costs, medical care, mortgage or rent payments, immediate living expenses, emotional and behavioral health services for surviving family members and more. 

The Fund was launched with initial contributions from the New York Life Foundation and the Cigna Foundation of $25 million each. New York Life Foundation will provide an additional $25 million in funding for a dollar-for-dollar matching program to encourage donations from individuals. The goal of both foundations is to see the fund grow to $100 million or beyond. 

“Healthcare workers are truly on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said Michael Marsicano, president and CEO of Foundation For The Carolinas. “Through the Brave of Heart Fund, the generosity of New York Life and Cigna, and the efforts of our E4E Relief team, we hope to honor these fallen heroes and provide much-needed support to their families across the nation.” 

Foundation For The Carolinas initially began offering employee assistance programs after the attacks of 9/11. Companies nationwide steadily began opening funds at FFTC to support their employees during times of unexpected hardships, such as catastrophic illnesses and natural disasters. E4E Relief became a wholly owned subsidiary of FFTC in 2014, awarding more than $90 million in charitable grants in the last five years.