Fraternal Order of the Umbrella Inc

The Umbrella Club seeks to provide a "helping hand" to the children and families in need of financial support because of their medical issues. The Club's activities are purposely low profile out of respect for the families' privacy. The Club’s members respect human dignity and understand that a quiet helping hand can make all the difference to those in need. Over the past 40 years, the Club has donated over $4,000,000 to families and children who would have otherwise slipped through the net provided by assorted governmental and societal agencies that, for various reasons, were unable to provide necessary assistance; we aim to continue this trend as medical costs become more and more prohibitive, giving vital assistance and, more importantly, hope to those who receive aid.

The Umbrella Club is seen as “a shelter in the storm” – offering kindness and financial respite that provides those suffering with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. Sometimes all people need is a helping hand to move forward in improving their lives.

The Umbrella Club's strategies are simple and can be summarized in three steps,

The first step is to review all applications for support that come in through our website. There is a link on the Umbrella Club’s website that leads to a simple application consisting of personal information, the aid recipient’s diagnoses and medical issues, and the type of support requested. The Good and Welfare Committee meets monthly to review all applications and selects applications to move forward. Applications that do not move forward are often referred to other organizations to receive support.

The second step is to bring each Committee-recommended application to a general vote from the Club’s 50-member base. At the Club’s monthly meetings, a summary of applicants is read and the Club votes—
usually in the affirmative—if the applicant receives funding. Applicants are notified of the Club’s decision and, if they receive support, a delivery is scheduled.

The third, final step is to deliver the support. These deliveries are held in person whenever possible; all Club members are asked to attend at least one delivery every year. The support is handed off at these deliveries, whether in the form of a check or medical equipment; this also offers an opportunity for Club members to develop deeper connections with support recipients, putting a face to the name on the application and seeing firsthand what the Club’s support can do for families in need.

The Club raises over $500,000 annually, primarily from three major events: a winter outing, a spring golf tournament, and the Endless Summer beach party. Additionally, the Club raises money through member dues, sponsorships from local and regional corporations, and grant funding.

During monthly meetings, the Club always votes on the Good and Welfare Committee's suggestions and, through a portfolio containing cash and investment funds, we are able to disburse to families in a timely and appropriate manner. The Club has followed this format successfully since its inception in 1979, and is always looking for new members in the community when a spot opens.

The Club continues to make progress towards helping all possible children and families. In 2022, the Club was able to make 59 distributions, totaling $335,652.19 in direct contributions and medical equipment purchases to children whose average age was nine and a half years old. The average donation size was $5,689.02.

As the Club continues to spread word of its mission while maintaining a low profile, we continue to diversify funding streams and resources, in order to raise more money and help more children and their families who do not have the means to afford necessary care.