Born of long-term Quaker tradition and originally established to help those suffering economic hardship due to acts of conscience, the Fund for Sufferings was reinstated at Richmond Friends Meeting in 2009 to be used for short-term help for members and attenders in financial need. A major distinction between this fund and the Meeting’s annual operating budget for Care and Counsel is that Friends may contribute directly to the Fund for Sufferings by sending a check earmarked for that purpose to the RFM Assistant Treasurer. Applicants for Fund for Sufferings assistance submit a request in writing to the clerk of Care and Counsel. The process allows confidentiality for both donors and recipients. 

The 2024 clerk of Care and Counsel is Catherine Roseberry. Reach out to her should you have need for guidance about or support from the Fund for Sufferings.