What is Heart of the House Foundation? 

Heart of the House (HOH) is Soigné Hospitality Group’s employee relief fund founded by Alison Arth and Gavin Kaysen in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restaurant closures. It is a federally registered 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides emergency financial assistance in the form of grants, not repayable loans. The funds are intended to provide temporary support to those who are experiencing emergency financial hardship beyond their control. 

Who is eligible to apply for a grant? 

Soigné Hospitality employees, former employees, and their immediate family members. 

How do I apply for help? 

Click here for the current application link. If you need assistance with the application, contact Annah Walters at 507-951-2755 or awalters@staysoigne.com. 

Who reviews the applications? 

A Board of Directors who represent a mix of Soigné Hospitality employees (current and past, hourly and salaried, front and back of house). 

What is the amount of the grant? 

You can request a single grant for up to $1,000. You can receive a maximum of $2,000 total per 3-year period starting January 1, 2022. 

Exceptions may be granted to any of the above requirements with unanimous approval by the Board of Directors. 

What information will I need to provide to apply? 

A completed application form along with supporting documentation of the qualifying event. The application must establish a financial need and specify the expenses for which the grant is being requested. 

What are examples of qualifying events? 

• Sudden, unforeseen loss of household income beyond your control 
• Emergency medical expenses not covered by insurance or that are the result of being uninsured
• Natural disasters (e.g. flood, severe storm) or other extreme circumstance (e.g. extended power outage, robbery) that have damaged or destroyed your primary residence or mode of transportation
• Serious illness or death of a spouse/partner or dependent 

Note: This is not a wage replacement fund. 

What expenses are NOT covered? 

• Expenses fully covered by insurance 
• Health insurance premiums, copays, and deductibles 
• Tuition 
• Taxes 
• Routine home and auto maintenance 

Who will know if I apply or if I receive a grant? 

One Officer is designated to directly communicate with grant applicants and recipients. A second Officer is designated to process the actual grant checks and thereby has access to recipient names and grant amounts. The Board of Directors, along with signing confidentiality agreements, does not see the names of individual applicants or recipients. 

You may be asked if you are willing to share your personal story about the grant you received, but sharing your story is completely voluntary. 

Do I have to repay the grant? 

No. Amounts granted are not loans and do not have to be repaid. 

Is my grant taxable? 

As a public charity, need-based grants from Heart of the House are not taxable to the recipient. 

How is the Foundation funded? 

Heart of the House is a public charity funded by the incredible generosity of individual community members as well as private foundations. 

How can I contribute to the Foundation? 

You can make a tax-deductible contribution by credit card on our website at heartofhouse.org. If you prefer to make a contribution by check, please address it to Heart of the House Foundation, c/o Soigne Hospitality Group, 222 N 2nd St, Ste 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Thank you! 

Is my contribution tax-deductible? 

Yes, contributions to Heart of the House Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 

Do donors have access to information about grant recipients? 

No, information is kept confidential unless it is shared voluntarily by an individual grant recipient.