Welcome

Facing the challenges of today, together.

The Melrose / Hoffman Employee Critical Need Fund seeks to make a positive impact for employees currently facing difficult times that result in financial hardship. From providing shelter after a natural disaster strikes, to helping with costs associated with an unexpected illness, our fund’s mission is to be a resource for our employees and their families when they find themselves in critical need.

Additionally, the fund also supports members of the Toro family who experience a financial hardship because of treatment for chemical dependency or mental illness, as well as those employees currently facing financial challenges as a result of COVID-19.

Partnering with The Toro Company, Ken Melrose, former CEO of The Toro Company, established the fund in 2005 to help members of our company’s extended family in their times of financial need. In 2018, The Toro Company made a second donation in honor of former CEO, Mike Hoffman creating the Melrose / Hoffman Employee Critical Need Fund. Today, the fund has stood by over 2,508 employees and their family members supporting them in times of uncertainty.

What to Expect

  • Grant applications are now processed completely online.
  • Grant applications that are fully completed will be reviewed within five business days.
  • Applicants that provide a valid email address will receive an email with a decision within five business days. If an email address is not provided the fund will communicate through an HR representative.
  • A grant is based on the needs of the applicant and must correspond with the incident that caused the one-time financial hardship. Award recipients may receive up to $10,000, however, approval of an application does not guarantee the maximum amount.
  • The Minneapolis Foundation will mail checks directly to the vendors listed on an application. A timeline will be provided to you in the approval email.
About the Minneapolis Foundation

The Melrose / Hoffman Employee Critical Need Fund is a component fund of the Minneapolis Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and as such, contributions are tax-deductible to full extent permitted by law.

Established in 1915, the Minneapolis Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations. As a center for philanthropy, the Foundation partners with a variety of communities and institutions and offers its expertise to individuals, businesses and other foundations to improve the quality of life in the region.