Whether you need help, want to give, or are simply looking to learn more, this page is your hub for applying, donating, and accessing helpful resources.
If you're experiencing a qualifying hardship, you can begin your application here. The process is quick, confidential, and handled by Groundswell to ensure your privacy every step of the way. Click below to get started.
Hardship can happen to anyone, at any time. Your donation provides vital support to coworkers navigating difficult moments—whether it’s a personal emergency or an unforeseen disaster. Every gift helps someone take a step forward. Donations can be made via credit card or debit card, and are processed via Stripe.
All donations to the Fund at Groundswell Charitable Foundation are tax deductible in the U.S. Groundswell Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity with Tax ID 87-1530516.
You may be eligible for additional help through community programs and government services. Explore these local and national resources for food, housing, emergency assistance, and more.
The G&J Pepsi Employee Relief Fund was established to provide timely financial assistance to eligible G&J Pepsi employees who experience urgent financial hardship due to natural disasters or other qualifying hardship events. Whether it's a medical emergency, loss of a home, or another unforeseen event, the fund provides timely, confidential financial assistance to help individuals navigate challenging moments.
The Fund is made possible through contributions from the company and generous donations from employees. Every gift—big or small—plays a role in providing critical support when it’s needed most.
G&J Pepsi works with Groundswell, a third-party administrator, to review applications and distribute grants. Groundswell independently manages all aspects of the Fund, including accepting donations, reviewing grant applications objectively, and awarding and distributing grants. The sponsoring organization does not have access to individual applications or grant details unless an applicant expressly consents to share information under specific circumstances.
The G&J Pepsi Employee Relief Fund was established to provide timely financial assistance to eligible G&J Pepsi employees who experience urgent financial hardship due to natural disasters or other qualifying hardship events. The Fund is supported primarily by corporate contributions from G&J Pepsi and is administered by Groundswell Charitable Foundation.
The Fund is owned and administered by Groundswell Charitable Foundation (GCF) and reviewed independently by Groundswell Giving in accordance with IRS regulations.
General eligibility criteria include:
Emergency Relief Grant criteria:
Hardship Support Grant criteria:
The Fund offers two types of grants:
The total assistance for a single event may not exceed $2,500 per household, inclusive of both grant types.
Grants from the Fund are intended to be treated as gifts and are generally not included in a recipient’s taxable income for federal or state income tax purposes. Recipients should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their individual circumstances.
No. Assistance is provided as a grant and does not need to be repaid.
The Fund provides grants to eligible applicants who experience a qualifying hardship event, including but not limited to:
Eligible expenses must be directly related to the qualifying event and not otherwise reimbursed by insurance or other sources.
Note that simply experiencing one of the events above does not automatically qualify an applicant for financial assistance, as applicants must show that they meet the IRS definition of being financially needy or distressed.
The Fund is owned and administered by Groundswell Charitable Foundation (GCF) and reviewed independently by Groundswell Giving in accordance with IRS regulations.
General eligibility criteria include:
Emergency Relief Grant criteria:
Hardship Support Grant criteria:
Yes. If you received an Emergency Relief Grant, you may apply for a Hardship Support Grant for the same event if you remain financially distressed. The total assistance for a single event may not exceed $2,500.
Financial distress means that a hardship has made it difficult for you to pay for basic necessary living expenses.
Yes. IRS regulations require proof of both the qualifying event and the related expenses.
Applicants must provide:
For full details on acceptable documentation, please refer to your company’s official policy. Your organization can provide a copy if needed.
Groundswell Charitable Foundation reserves the right to request additional documentation, including proof of ongoing financial need, at any time.
Applications must be submitted through the Fund’s website at: https://www.groundswell.io/eaf/gjpepsi
Initial Review:
Once your application is submitted, it is assigned to an impartial reviewer for evaluation. Applications are reviewed in the order received. If additional information is required, you will be contacted. This stage typically takes 3–5 business days once your application is complete.
Final Review:
A second impartial reviewer conducts a quality check, typically within 24 hours unless additional clarification is required.
Award Notification and Payment Process:
You will be notified via email of the decision. Approved grants are typically distributed electronically within 1–2 business days, subject to available funds and banking regulations.
Award Notification and Payment Process:
You will be notified via email whether your grant has been awarded or not. If your grant is approved, the email will include details about the grant amount and payment instructions.
Grants are awarded only when the Fund has sufficient donations. Grant payments are typically processed within 3–5 business days. Please note that delays may occur due to variations in banking systems, which are beyond the control of Groundswell.
No, you cannot apply for a grant on behalf of another individual. However, if an eligible individual is incapacitated, a family member or manager may submit an application on their behalf, as long as this is disclosed in the application and appropriate documentation is provided.
Yes. Your personal information will only be used by Groundswell to evaluate your eligibility and administer the grant. No personal application information or outcomes are shared with G&J Pepsi unless expressly authorized by you. Aggregated, non-identifiable data may be shared for reporting and program improvement purposes.
The Applicant Support team for the G&J Pepsi Employee Relief Fund at Groundswell can be reached via email at: hardship@groundswell.io