Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Szott Foundation still giving Gift of Time grants at this time?

YES.  The Szott Foundation has made a conscious decision to limit its growth for the time being.  While this is a period of more limited growth and activity for the Foundation, we ARE continuing to give the Gift of Time to families each year.

Tax Implications: Will families be taxed on the grant?

The accounting firm that the Foundation works with has indicated to us that grants from charitable contributions are not taxable income. However, we recommend that the family contact their financial adviser or the IRS directly to discuss any and all tax implications. The Szott Foundation is not in a position to provide tax advice to recipients.

Age: What are the age criteria for applicants?

If the child is receiving care from a pediatric unit, he or she is eligible to apply for the grant.

Overview of the mission statement

The mission statement of the Foundation is stated on the letterhead so that it can be reviewed readily. Our intention is to provide the opportunity for one parent, who has previously worked full-time outside the home, to stay at home and manage the all-encompassing health affairs of caring for a child with life threatening cancer. It is expected that the other parent (if in a two parent household) would continue working.

If the family accepts the Szott Foundation grant will financial support from other entities be reduced?

The answer to this question rests with the social worker. The Szott Foundation does not work in concert with any other organizations that provide financial support to families, nor do they “package” their gift with such organizations. It is our understanding that other financial benefits would be lost or severely reduced when accepting a large financial gift. The family will have to make a careful decision on the long-term implications of receiving a large grant and the impact that that decision may have on other assistance they receive. With that said, if a family is receiving financial assistance the Foundation’s grant must be considered the “last dollar “ requested in order for a parent to stay home with their child.

Release of Information: How much medical information needs to be released to the Szott Foundation?

The Foundation will accept a statement, signed by the primary physician, indicating date of diagnosis, current treatment plan, and prognosis. However, a release of information has to be signed by the parent which is located in the application packet.

Completed applications: Who contacts the family if an application is not completed in full?

It is the responsibility of the social worker to make sure the application is completed before it is sent to the Foundation for review. No one from the Foundation’s Board of Directors or its representatives will contact the family to assist in the application process. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Who notifies the family when a decision is made?

The President of the Foundation will write to each applicant informing the families of the decision.

Bank Statements: Can a family submit a current bank statement instead of having a bank representative’s signature?

No. The Board has decided that an authorized signature from the bank is necessary. If the family banks at multiple locations they will need to obtain signatures from each banking institution. We feel this adds credibility to the financial disclosure process considering the sizable amount of the grant.

Two household situations: How do you manage situations where there is either joint custody or financial responsibility for the child’s care?

The Board will consider the financial situation of both households. Both households will need to complete the financial portion of the application. This still presumes that one parent will remain home to care for the child.

Why do we ask the ages of other children living in the household?

This information can provide insight as to the family dynamics. If all things were equal we might consider a family “more needy” if they had small children who needed to be taken care of as opposed to older children who could take care of themselves, help out around the house, drive, get a job, etc. to help the financial situation in the household.