Uvalde Together We Rise Fund

Final Protocol Overview

The Uvalde Together We Rise Fund (the Fund) will distribute funds as gifts to victims and survivors
of the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The funds may be used
however the recipients wish.

Decisions about eligibility and distribution are made by a local Steering Committee with intentions of
transparency, integrity, compassion, and fairness. This Final Protocol governs the eligibility and
distribution of this Fund and was created with guidance from National Compassion Fund (NCF),
which has led numerous similar efforts after mass casualty events.

The Final Protocol defines categories of eligibility which generally include:

• Legal heirs of those who were killed as a direct result of the shooting
• Those who were physically injured
• Those who were present in the designated area at the time of the Shooting, but not
physically injured.

The Steering Committee understands that as a small, close-knit community, everyone in Uvalde was
devastated by this atrocity, and nearly everyone knew someone—or even numerous people—who
were killed, wounded, or present on May 24th. For purpose of this fund, the Steering Committee
will focus on those most directly impacted: the families of those who were killed, the people who
were injured, and the students and faculty present as the shooting began. This fund focuses on
trauma, which is largely fueled by sensory perception (what people, see, hear, smell, feel, or taste).
The Steering Committee decided to not include in the categories of eligibility, people who had left
campus before the Shooting began. While those students certainly grieve their classmates, including
the grief of those not present would make it very difficult to exclude other grieving friends and
relatives who were not present.

An online application will be available around September 8, 2022.

All interested parties should sign up for the Fund’s contact list by filling out and submitting the form
on www.NationalCompassion.org/Uvalde. Emails will be sent regarding:
• When the application is available
• When the deadline for submitting an application is approaching

Representatives from the National Compassion Fund are available to help throughout this process
through meetings or phone calls. Email [email protected] with any questions or to
set up a meeting, or call (844) 743-3334.
 Uvalde Together We Rise Fund
Local Steering Committee
Mickey Gerdes, Chair
Dr. Erika Beatriz Garcia, Vice Chair
Veronica Conoley
Sheri Rutledge
Dr. Virginia Sosa
Edward Treviño
Julio Valdez
Bianca Spies
Paola Bautista
Anita Busch
Administrators
The Fund Administrators are the staff of the National Compassion Fund, including:
• Jeffrey R. Dion, Executive Director
• Maria Buckley, Mass Violence Relief Specialist
• Javier Nava, Mass Violence Relief Specialist
• Shannon May, Mass Violence Support Specialist
• Katie Fidrych, Mass Violence Support Specialist
• Emily Burmester, Mass Violence Support Specialist
• Haley Ziegler, Director of Finance & Administration

The Local Steering Committee of the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund and the National Compassion
Fund commit to an honest, fair, impartial, and transparent process to determine the eligibility of
applicants, and the distribution of funds pursuant to this Final Protocol. The financial gifts distributed
by this fund are not in any way based on need. Eligibility will be based solely on the objective criteria
set forth in the Final Protocol. Gifts, donations, compensation, and other financial assistance the
applicant may have received will not in any way be considered in determining the final distribution of
funds.

The Uvalde Together We Rise Fund will distribute the consolidated donations collected by:

• VictimsFirst
• The San Antonio Area Foundation
• The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
• The OneStar Foundation
• First State Bank of Uvalde
• The Texas Bankers' Association Foundation
• The National Compassion Fund

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Conflict of Interest Policy

Prior to joining the Local Steering Committee, each member signed a Certification and
Acknowledgment stating that:

A. A member of the Steering Committee is prohibited from participation in the award or

administration of any funds, including without limitation the drafting of the protocol or other awards
criteria and the selection of any recipients of such funds, if, to his or her knowledge, the Steering
Committee member (i) has any ''familial relationship" with a victim or survivor; (ii) has any "business
relationship" with a victim or survivor; or (iii) is otherwise unable to exercise impartial judgment or
otherwise act in the best interests of the Steering Committee. "Familial relationship" means any
member of the undersigned's family, which means spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, parents,
grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, stepchildren, stepparents, or persons married
to any of the foregoing family members. "Business relationship" means the undersigned's business
partner(s) or employees.

B. Furthermore, while the undersigned is serving on the Steering Committee, the undersigned
shall not take any political or other position publicly as a representative of the Steering Committee
or otherwise which could impact the duties of the Steering Committee to administer and award the
funds in a fair and impartial manner unless approved in advance by both the Committee and the
National Compassion Fund.

C. In the event that the undersigned has a conflict of interest that might limit his or her fair and
impartial participation in deliberations or decisions of the Steering Committee, the undersigned shall
inform the Committee Chair and the National Compassion Fund as to the circumstances of such
conflict of interest. An act prohibited by Sections A and B above is referred to hereinafter as a
"conflict of interest."

D. The undersigned understands and agrees he or she may have obtained or may obtain
confidential information related to the Uvalde Strong Fund, this includes, but is not limited to
information related to the donors (businesses and/or individuals), victims (deceased or surviving), the
victim's families, and any other applicant to the fund ("Confidential Information"). The undersigned
agrees he or she will not disclose the Confidential Information belonging to or obtained through their
affiliation with the Steering Committee to any organization or person, including their relatives,
friends and business and professional associates, unless the undersigned has received written
authorization to disclose by the National Compassion Fund. These confidentiality obligations will
remain in effect even if the Steering Committee is terminated or a member resigns or is removed.

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 Final Protocol
August 19, 2022
This is the Final Protocol, which will govern distribution of the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund
(the Fund). It was developed by the Fund Administrators at the National Compassion Fund,
incorporating relevant and appropriate feedback from the Steering Committee, the survivors
and victims, and the general public, including those present at the Town Hall meetings held
by the Administrators on July 19 and August 11.

The money paid by the fund is a gift to which no person has a legal claim or entitlement. All
aspects of this Final Protocol including, without limitation, the classifications of applicants,
distribution criteria, application process, and timetable, may be revised and are subject to the
full and complete discretion of NCF, which serves as Fund Administrator. The level of benefits
paid within each category of eligibility is determined by the Steering Committee.

The Fund was enhanced through the generosity of businesses, foundations, and individual donors. It
will be used to assist the families of the victims who were killed, the victims who were physically
injured requiring hospitalization, the victims who were physically injured, and the victims who were
present in the designated area of Robb Elementary during the shooting (the Shooting) on May 24,
2022. The National Compassion Fund, LLC is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of
Crime, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID #30-0022798).

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 6, 2022, TO BE

ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE PAYMENT. IF THE VICTIM IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 OR IS A VULNERABLE
ADULT, A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST APPLY ON THE VICTIM’S BEHALF.

The amounts awarded from the Fund will take into consideration variables that include: (1) the
balance in the Fund when it is closed for donations on October 20, 2022; (2) the completion of the
review of all submitted applications; and (3) the review and approval by the Administrators. The
Administrators reserve all rights to determining the validity of all information submitted by
applicants.

Neither citizenship nor immigration status will be considered in determining an applicant’s eligibility.

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SECTION ONE: ELIGIBILITY

AREA OF ELIGIBILITY

Individuals in the categories listed below will be deemed to have been "present" and eligible for
payment if they were physically present within the designated area (as indicated by Figure 1 below)
at 11:27 am when the shooting began. The designated area is comprised of the Robb Elementary
School campus.

Fig. 1

CATEGORIES OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS (ELIGIBILITY IS LIMITED TO ONE

CATEGORY)

A. Application for Legal Heirs of the beloved 21 people killed

Eligible applicants for deceased victims killed as a result of the Shooting will receive payment under
the scope of this Protocol. Payments in this category will be the highest payments under the
Protocol. A final payment determination will be made upon receipt of all pertinent data and is
subject to all comments above.

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B. Individual Physical Injury Applications

Applicants who were present within the designated area of eligibility at Robb Elementary School at
the time of the Shooting and were physically injured will receive payment under this Protocol.
Payments in this category may be tiered based upon the number of nights hospitalized, outpatient
emergency medical treatment, or outpatient non-emergency medical treatment received by June
24, 2022.

C. Individuals Present in the West Wing Experiencing Psychological Trauma

Any individuals, other than first responders, who experienced psychological trauma, AND were
present within the West wing of the school at 11:27 am, are eligible to receive payment under this
Protocol. Payments in this category may be tiered based upon where in the West wing the victim
was located:
• Room 112
• Room 109
• Rooms 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 116
• Unaccompanied minors present in the hallway or restroom
• Elsewhere in the West wing.

D. Class and Funeral Home Workers Fired Upon

The teacher and students in the class on the playground, and the funeral home workers, all of whom
were fired upon by the gunman and who faced imminent risk of death, AND who experienced
psychological trauma, are eligible to receive payment under this protocol.

E. Individuals Present elsewhere on the Robb Elementary Campus

Any individuals, other than first responders, who experienced psychological trauma, AND were
present on the Robb Elementary Campus at 11:27 am, in a location other than the West Building or
the playground, are eligible to receive payment under this protocol.

SECTION TWO: PROCESS AND PROCEDURES

Eligible applicants must file an application in order to receive a payment from the Fund. ALL
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 6, 2022;
however, the Fund Administrators reserve the right in their sole discretion to grant a deadline
extension. Those seeking an extension must submit a request by sending an email to
[email protected] no later than October 5, 2022. Under no circumstances would
an extension be granted which would delay payment to other applicants.

When completing the application, applicants will specify the category of the applicant: for deceased
victims, for physical injury, or for present but not physically injured. In their application, applicants
must choose only one distribution category for which they are eligible.

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Each eligible applicant should submit only one application per victim. An applicant may submit more
than one application only on behalf of separate victims. For example, a person who was present or
injured may submit their own application. They may also submit an application on behalf of a minor
(if that person is the designated parent or legal guardian of the minor) or on behalf of a family
member who was killed (if they are the designated representative).

The process and procedures for consideration of eligible applications will be as follows:

A. The Fund will be administered by NCF. The Final Protocol to govern the Fund and a link to
submit an online application for benefits will be emailed to all known potential applicants who have
signed up for the Fund’s contact list on the NCF website
https://nationalcompassion.org/fund/uvalde/. The Final Protocol and information concerning the
application process will also be available on the NCF website beginning on or about August 19, 2022.
Representatives from NCF (the Fund Administrators) will administer and process the applications.
Only one application should be submitted by, or on behalf of, each victim. All applications must be
completed and submitted to the Fund Administrators (along with all required supporting
documentation detailed in the application or such information curing any deficiencies in information)
no later than October 6, 2022. Questions regarding the completion of an application should be sent
via email to [email protected].

B. Two public meetings were conducted by the Fund Administrators: one on July 19, 2022, and the
second on August 11, 2022. At each meeting, there was an explanation of the Draft Protocol and the
application submission process, and Fund Administrators invited input and comments from potential
applicants and the general public. Information collected from these group meetings, various
communications, and correspondence between the applicants, other interested parties, and the Fund
Administrators were considered in finalizing the Final Protocol.

C. Access to the application online will be available at https://nationalcompassion.org/Uvalde/

around September 8, 2022. Applicants who lack access to the internet or seek to request a
reasonable accommodation or modification under the Americans with Disabilities Act, are invited to
call the applicant assistance number at (844) 743-3334 for guidance on alternative filing assistance.

D. If an applicant submits an incomplete or deficient application (e.g., the applicant failed to include
required documentation or failed to fully complete the application), a representative from the Fund
Administrators’ office will send an e-mail notification to the applicant in an effort to resolve any such
deficiencies.

E. Shortly after the deadline for submission of all financial contributions and the final review and
determination of all eligible applications by the Fund Administrators, payments will be issued. The
Fund Administrators will submit final payment determinations to the Steering Committee for
approval of transmission of the payments, by check or electronic transfer, to each eligible applicant.
Electronic payments will be issued via Zelle. Paper checks will be issued by Bill.com, NCF’s payment
processor. Applicants may not rely on the timing of any payment. Payments are processed when all
required information in received. The Administrators, the Steering Committee, and NCF shall have

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no liability whatsoever for any damage of any kind arising out of or resulting from the timing of any
payment from the Fund.

F. An application filed for a deceased victim will require information pertaining to individuals (e.g.,
spouse, children, parents, siblings) who may be eligible to receive compensation under the local
intestacy law of the jurisdiction where the deceased victim was domiciled. In cases where multiple
applications are received on behalf of the same deceased victim, the Fund will merge the applications
to include all appropriate beneficiaries. If the deceased issued a Last Will & Testament (the Will), the
Fund shall make payment to the legal heirs identified in the Will. If the deceased did not leave a Last
Will & Testament, the personal representative must prepare a proposed plan of distribution of the
funds among the deceased’s legal heirs and beneficiaries. In circumstances where the deceased was,
at the time of their death, engaged to be married, cohabitating with an intimate partner, separated
from a spouse, or being cared for by a legal guardian or foster parent, the Fund Administrators may,
in their discretion, require a fiancé, intimate partner, legal guardian, foster parent, siblings, household
members, or children of the deceased to be included in the proposed distribution plan. The proposed
plan will be distributed to all such legal heirs, beneficiaries, a fiancé, cohabitating intimate partner,
guardian or foster parent, each of whom must consent to the proposed distribution. If agreement
among the heirs cannot be reached as to who will serve as the personal representative or with regard
to the proposed distribution, the applicants will be required to obtain legal authorization from the
Probate Court having jurisdiction to determine who is the legally responsible person eligible to file
the application. Under those circumstances, the Fund Administrators will, in their discretion,
withhold funds until an agreement is reached, or deposit the affected funds with the Probate Court
having jurisdiction, to be held in a separate account, and to be distributed only upon resolution in
accordance with a valid court order.

G. A minor child’s application must be submitted and signed by a parent or legal guardian. If an
application is required for a vulnerable adult lacking legal capacity, it will require proof of
representative capacity, such as a power-of-attorney, guardianship, and appointment of guardian or
attorney ad litem. In an effort to ensure that funds paid to a minor victim are protected and used
only for the care, support, and benefit of that minor victim, minor beneficiaries receiving payment
under Categories A though D, must identify in their application a Third-party managed trust of the
applicant’s choosing, into which the funds are to be deposited. Minor beneficiaries receiving payment
under Category E, must identify a Uniformed Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) custodial account to
which the check will be made payable. NCF will provide applicants with a list of numerous local
institutions, from which the applicant can choose where to open their required account.

H. An application filed for a physical injury applicant must include an authorization to release
medical information which confirms: (i) the date of initial treatment, (ii) the date of admission to the
hospital if applicable, (iii) the date of discharge from the hospital if applicable, and (iv) the nature of
the injury and contemporaneous evidence from the treating professional that the injury was
sustained as a result of the Shooting.

I. An application filed for psychological trauma must include a sworn, notarized affidavit attesting to
the psychological trauma symptoms experienced by the applicant as a result of the Shooting.

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Additionally, the applicant’s presence at the scene of the crime at the time of the Shooting must be
corroborated by the District Attorney’s office. The Fund Administrators (rather than the applicant)
will be responsible for validating the applicant’s presence.

J. NCF, its Fund Administrators, and the Steering Committee will use reasonable efforts to
maintain confidentiality of all information submitted by applicants but cannot guarantee
confidentiality. Applicants are asked to consider any personal ramifications should any information
submitted under this Final Protocol become publicly available. NCF will not sell to any third party, or
otherwise use for its own purposes, any applicant information collected through the application
process, to solicit funds, advertise, or otherwise solicit or sell services.

K. Applicants in Category A (Legal Heirs of those killed) may request an advance payment of
$25,000 per decedent. Applicants in Category B (injury) who were hospitalized overnight may
request an advance payment of $15,000. Applicants in Category C (Psychological Trauma) who
were in room 112, may request an advance payment of $10,000. All advance payments will be
deducted from the final distribution amount for the category in which the applicant is validated. (For
example, if there are two applicants in Category A, and one requests an advance payment but the
other does not, and the final distribution amount for Category A is $100,000, the first applicant
would receive the advance payment of $25,000 and the remaining balance of $75,000 at final
distribution. The applicant who did not request the advance would receive $100,000 at final
distribution. The advance has no impact on the total amount of money that an applicant will
receive.) To be eligible for advance payment, the applicant must complete the full application, and
have the victim’s presence and/or overnight hospitalization validated. If the victim in Category B or
C is a minor, the application must include payment information for a Third-party managed trust as
referenced in Section 2, Paragraph G. Advance payments are subject to the provisions selected by
the applicant to preserve any public benefits the applicant currently receives. Applicants wishing to
receive an advance should complete the application as soon as possible after September 6, 2022.
Applicants whose request for advance payment has not been validated by October 15, 2022, will
instead receive full payment at the time of final distribution. Any applicant with concerns about
advance payments and its impact on their final distribution or public benefits, are encouraged to
request a consultation with the Administrator by sending an e-mail to
[email protected].

L. The Fund cannot provide tax advice to those receiving payments from the Fund. The Fund
Administrators recommend consulting a tax advisor for any questions regarding tax liability for these
payments.

M. When all distributions of payments have been completed, the receipts and disbursements will be
examined by an independent auditing firm. The results of this process will be made available to all
applicants, donors, and the general public, on the National Compassion Fund Website, and that all
persons registered on the fund-specific contact list will be notified when such report is available and
has been posted on the website.

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SECTION THREE: OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION

A. The National Compassion Fund (NCF) may conduct outreach to victims of the Shooting by
telephone, mail, in person, and other forms of electronic communication to provide them with
information on the application process, to answer questions related to the filing of applications, to
assist victims in curing deficiencies on applications, and to work to ensure that all eligible persons who
wish to submit applications are able to do so before the October 6 filing deadline. NCF does not
guarantee that all who may be eligible will be contacted, nor does it guarantee that all eligible persons
who are in contact with NCF will be included in the Final Distribution. It is the responsibility of the
applicant to make sure that the application is timely filed and received. Contact information that is
held by law enforcement or healthcare professionals is never shared with NCF, and there should be
no assumption that anyone who is eligible will be contacted simply because they have shared their
contact information with either law enforcement, the Red Cross, Resiliency Center, or any other
service provider. Contact information must be shared with NCF via the Fund-specific online contact
form.

B. National Compassion Fund staff have the native language capacity to provide services in English
and Spanish. If any applicant requests assistance in a language other than English or Spanish, the
National Compassion Fund will have documents translated and identify interpreters as needed to
assist in effective communication.

C. The Final Protocol and application information will be disseminated to all known victims who have
signed up for the online contact form on https://nationalcompassion.org/fund/uvalde/. The Fund
Administrators will work directly with applicants as requested so that applications are submitted by
the October 6, 2022, deadline.

D. Applicants may request to meet with Fund Administrators, in person, by telephone, or via video
conferencing. All applicants requesting meetings with the Fund Administrators before the
application is processed will be afforded such a meeting during the period between August 27, 2022,
and October 6, 2022. Meetings will be scheduled at mutually convenient times and locations. To
request a meeting, please email a request to [email protected].

E. No representative of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, nor any

representative or employee of a bank, nor any clinical therapist actively treating patients in Uvalde
County will be involved in the creation or approval of Final Distribution Plan for the donated funds.

F. Following the approval of a Final Distribution Plan by the Local Steering Committee, each
validated applicant will receive written notification from the Fund Administrators advising the
amount of funds they will receive, including how any and all advance payments were considered in
determining their final gift.

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SECTION FOUR: PROJECTED UVALDE TIMELINE

• May 24, 2022 – Shooting occurs

• June 22, 2022 –Meeting of Steering Committee; approve Draft Protocol and send for
translation
• June 30, 2022 – Publish Draft Protocol and public comment period begins
• July 19, 2022 – First Town Hall Meeting
• August 11, 2022 – Second Town Hall Meeting and public comment period ends
• August 11, 2022 – Steering Committee meets to approve Final Protocol
• August 19, 2022 – Final Protocol published to NCF website for survivors, victims, and
interested parties
• August 27, 2021 – October 6, 2022 – All personal meetings requested with the Fund
Administrators completed
• September 8, 2022 – Application is available online. Application instructions are
disseminated to all known applicants and potential applicants.
• September 8 –October 6, 2022 – Applications completed (with required
documentation) and submitted to the Fund Administrators
• October 6, 2022 – Deadline for submission of applications
• September 8, 2022 – November 8, 2022– All applications reviewed by the Fund
Administrators. Recommendations for payments to eligible applicants submitted to the
Steering Committee for independent review and approval.
• October 20, 2022 – Fund closes to donations
• November 7, 2022 – Steering Committee approves Funds Distribution Plan
• November 14, 2022 – Distribution of payments to approved eligible beneficiaries begins on
a rolling basis
• Three weeks after the end of the month in which all disbursements are completed –
Independent auditing firm conducts examination of receipts and disbursements.

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