A mutual aid fund has been established with the goal of making it 501(c)(3) tax-deductible to assist colleagues unemployed experiencing financial hardship. However, if donations exceed direct needs for those who have lost jobs, excess funds will be donated to AFGE Federal Employee Defense fund to support legal and other strategies to defend American public employees. A careful strategy to evaluate needs and disburse funds is being utilized. 

• Make a Donation: A non-tax deductible donation may be made using the following link: CDC Mutual Aid Assistance Fund. 

• In Need: Are you a member of the CDC workforce (FTE, fellow, or contractor) who has lost your job since Jan 20, 2025 due to a Reduction in Force (RIF), contract termination, or other action? Apply here for assistance from the CDC Mutual Aid Network Assistance Fund. You will be asked to verify your status as a CDC worker, but personally identifiable information (PII) will not be shared or stored by the CDC Mutual Aid Network. 

Assistance will be provided as one-time, direct emergency grants to former CDC staffers facing financial hardship. Applications are reviewed and recommended by an independent committee based on need, ensuring fairness and transparency. 

Below are crowdsourced recommendations of companies/organizations who provide financial planning services.  

• Reynolds and Reynolds Financial Partners  

• Oak Tree Group Financial Strategies - Ellen Rapier  

• Verisail Partners - Thad Gilliam  

• Green Investment Strategies  

• Chicory Wealth Email Mary Shaltis at (maryshaltis@chicorywealth.com) with Chicory Wealth (Chicory Wealth)  

• Note: Willing to provide a one-hour pro bono meeting to fired/laid off CDC employees. 

• Merit Financial Advisors –Kat Grier and David Elder  Webinar: A Journey Through Change – Financial Considerations for Federal Employees - Merit Financial Advisors 

• Meghan Nelson 

• Note: Offering a one-hour free session for fired/laid off federal employees. 

• • • • Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund Layoff Loans - no-fee, no-interest loans for recently laid-off feds. FEEA has been providing no-fee, no-interest loans to help feds make ends meet during hardships since 1986. Emergency Hardship Loans and Disaster Relief Grants are also available through FEEA. 

      • Buy Nothing Groups are local, community-based groups where people give away items they no longer need and request things they could use—without any money, trade, or strings attached. The goal is to build community, reduce waste, and promote sharing among neighbors. You can find a local Buy Nothing group through a quick web search (i.e. “Atlanta Buy Nothing”), or o 

      • Findhelp.org: Enter your Zipcode and navigate to find specialized and localized resources and assistance on the following topics: food, housing, transit, health, finance, care, education, work, and legal