Some things can't wait for a weekly vote. So 10% of every donation (after running costs) is set aside, coast-wide, ready to move fast when a local hits a genuine crisis.
In the Emergency Fund now
$0.70
It grows with every dollar given. Nothing's been drawn yet — every grant will be logged on the Transparency page.
What it's for
Real, can't-wait emergencies for people in our community. Things like:
Escaping domestic & family violence
Helping women, children and anyone fleeing an abusive home — emergency accommodation, a bond, a removalist, changed locks, the first hard weeks. Handled discreetly, with specialist services.
Single parents in sudden crisis
A parent who's just lost income or hit a wall — food, rent or power to get the kids through the week.
Natural-disaster relief
Fire, flood, storm or cyclone — immediate essentials and homelessness relief for locals who've lost their home or belongings.
A safe night indoors
Emergency accommodation for someone who'd otherwise be sleeping rough tonight.
Urgent medical & medication costs
A script or treatment someone genuinely can't afford and can't go without.
Sudden loss of income
Job loss, injury or illness that hits overnight — keeping the lights on and food on the table while things are sorted.
Keeping the essentials connected
Stopping an imminent eviction or a power/water disconnection in a true emergency.
Funeral & bereavement help
Helping a family who simply can't cope with the cost of saying goodbye.
This isn't an exhaustive list — if it's a genuine emergency for a local, the trustees can help.
How it's funded
Every dollar, after the payment processor's fee, is split like this:
Keeps the lights on (running costs)
Hosting, the coordinator, the boring essentials.
10%
The Emergency Fund
Of what's left — ring-fenced coast-wide for crises.
10%
Your suburb's local causes
The things your suburb votes to fund each week.
~80%
So 90% of every donation still goes to causes — one tenth of that is the coast-wide Emergency Fund, the rest stays local.
How it works
No waiting for a vote
Emergencies can't wait a week. Trustees can release help fast, at their discretion.
Private & dignified
Especially for family-violence situations — handled discreetly, with specialist support services, never named publicly.
Still accountable
Every grant is logged on the Transparency page (amount and category — never identifying details).
Need help, or know someone who does?
Reach out in confidence and we'll do what we can, quickly. You can ask for yourself or refer someone else.
help@dollarchain.org
In immediate danger, always call 000. For family-violence support any time, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). The Dollar Chain is a community fund, not an emergency service.