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ONLINE PORTAL

The way Change Agents submit applications to The Change Reaction for funding is through our online portal. The sections below take you through how to access the portal, fill out an application, and fulfill an approved request.

How to set up a New User Account

After your team completes training with The Change Reaction, please send us the names and email addresses of the staff members who will need access to our portal. These team members will be your designated Change Agents. One of them will be the Head Change Agent—our main contact and the person who reviews all requests before they’re submitted to us. After we receive your list, each Change Agent will get an email from requests@changereaction.org to set up their account.

Important: Please add requests@changereaction.org to your email contacts so the setup email doesn’t end up in the spam folder. You’ll have 3 days to set up the account, or the link will expire. If that happens, just reach out to Charlie Portillo at cportillo@changereaction.org to get a new activation email.

Where do I go to access The Portal?

To access The Change Reaction’s online portal, please visit www.portal.changereaction.org or click the button below:

change agent portal

What is the criteria for submitting a request?

Before submitting a request for funding, please review our Quick Reference Guide and our Pre-Screening Tool.

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

01

Client is working

Shows future ability to maintain stability
Earning a minimum household income of $25,000 per year
Working 30 hours or more per week
02

Request is for an urgent need

We want to step in during one-time, emergency situations for your clients facing catastrophic events. We do not support reoccurring expenses or chronic situations.

03

Grant Ranges

Up to $1,000
  • Working < 6 mo
  • No documented income/cash income
Up to $2,500
  • Working 6 mo - 3 yrs
  • Documented income
$2,500+
  • Working 3+ yrs
  • $40K in documented household income

Examples of URGENT NEEDS

Rent

Rent plus security deposit and no more than 2 months rent; Loan considered for security deposit needed in excess of grant ranges.

Auto Repairs

Major repair causing loss of work and no normal wear and tear such as tires and oil change.

Home Repairs

Event resulting in emergency need and/or safety issue (i.e furnace, water heater, AC, plumbing).

Relocation Expenses

Emergency travel such as flights, bus, and train tickets; due to fleeing from domestic violence or for family reunification.

Furniture

Move in from unfurnished home; event resulting in furniture loss (i.e. flood, fire, domestic issue).

Appliances

Repairs, replacement or move in (i.e. stove, refrigerator).

Child Care

Related to domestic violence or child welfare situations.

Utilities

No other safety nets exist (i.e. covered by govt programs, ability to negotiate payment plan). No more than 2 months.

Medical

Medications, copayments, emergency medical/dental events that are not covered by insurance. No hospital or doctor bills.

Examples of CAREER ADVANCEMENT

Technology

Repairs, replacement, or new device in connection with job (i.e. computer, cell phone)

Vocational Training/Certification

Forgivable after class completion and 3 months of employment in the industry taught in class

Tools & Work Supplies

Construction boots, hardware tools, work uniform

Union & Licensing Fees

NOT FUNDED

Grocery Cards

Funeral Expenses

Long Term Therapy

Medical Bills

Rental & Utility Arrears

Download our QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

The Change Reaction Pre-Screening

Is this person employed? Yes/No

If this request is covering a recurring expense, such as rent or utility bills? Yes/No
If answered ‘No’, do they have the future ability to continue to pay for this expense? Yes/No

Would this one grant make a difference in this individual’s upward trajectory? Yes/ No

If you answered ‘No’ to more than one question:

Reconsider submitting a request to the Change Reaction and explore other resources that might assist this client
If you still feel strongly about submitting a request for this client, please provide extensive details in the advocacy for why you would like The Change Reaction to support this client

How to Submit a Request

Submitting a request to The Change Reaction is quick and easy! Partner organizations can use our online portal to submit requests, and they can fulfill them using the funds available to them. For more details on the process of an application, and a breakdown of each section, check out the different steps below.

The Process of an Application

01

The Change Agent submits an application on behalf of their client for emergency assistance or career advancement opportunities.

02

Head Change Agent reviews request and approves it.

03

The Change Reaction (TCR) receives the approved request. If more information is needed, TCR will ask for clarification with the “More Info Needed” button. Change Agent will be notified via email.

04

The Change Agent edits and resubmits the request to the Head Change Agent for re-approval.

05

Once received, The Change Reaction assigns the request to donors for review.

06

Donors review and consider for support.

07

Change Agent and Head Change Agent are notified of the decision via email.

08

If approved, the Change Agent or Head Change Agent works with their accounting to draw from the Angel Fund and fulfill the request.

Download THE PROCESS OF AN APPLICATION

Video walkthrough of our ONLINE PORTAL

What to consider when submitting an Application

Before submitting an application, there are a few important things to keep in mind. These considerations may vary depending on your clients specific situation, and what type of emergency they are in. Take a look at the several tabs in this section to determine if your client is a right fit for a Change Reaction gift.

Criteria

Working individuals facing urgent needs or life events
Earning a minimum Household Income (HHI) of $25,000 per year
Working 30 hours or more per week
Shows future ability to meet monthly expenses

Requests that will not be considered

1.
Tire replacements or oil changes (i.e. regular car maintenance, car registration)
2.
Auto repairs that exceed $2,500
3.
Funeral related expenses
4.
Groceries/food
5.
Animal related emergencies or vet bills
6.
Rental and utility arrears for more than 2 months
7.
Medical bills
8.
Reimbursement expenses
9.
Any long term or chronic expense

For more information on our guidelines, please save this quick reference guide:

Download our QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Grant Ranges

For an individual working less than 6 months, we will consider up to $1,000
Working 6 months - 3 years, we will consider up to $2,500 (Income must be documented)
Working more than 3 years, we will consider $2,500 or more (Income must be documented)

This section breaks down each of the main parts of our application, guiding you through required fields and elements. By reviewing these sections, you’ll understand what information is needed and how to complete each part accurately. Click the buttons below to explore the details of each section!

Employment

1.
The goal of the Change Reaction is to support employed individuals who can meet their monthly expenses, so the details you provide regarding an individual’s employment and income are critical to helping our donors make their decisions. We focus on those who have a sustainable path for themselves, and who would be able to stay on track if not for this emergency. We do not consider clients who are in chronic situations.
2.
Employer length and stability of employment. (Please make sure to list the name of the business where your client is employed. If there are discrepancies in their employment history, the change agent’s advocacy statement is the opportunity for deeper explanation)

Income

1.
Documented income verification is required when you are requesting an amount that exceeds $1,000
2.
The income that is approved can be gross household income before taxes have been paid, but it must be documented
3.
Acceptable Verification Documents:
Pay stubs, w2, tax returns, letter of support from employer. (Please note: you are not required to upload verification documents to the Change Reaction portal)

Please let your clients know that we do not report any of this information to government agencies. These applications are strictly for our donors and own internal policies.

Housing

1.
If a Change Agent is requesting rent related support, they will need to upload a completed w9 form from the landlord
2.
Include clients monthly contribution towards rent or mortgage
3.
Household Size
We ask this question to gain a clear understanding of the situation your client is in. Please ensure to include all individuals living with the client
Exceptions: Roommates that are not financially assisting each other
4.
Household Income
Why we ask this: Our donors are looking to support individuals that are normally sustainable, meaning their monthly household income can cover their monthly rent, however an unexpected financial emergency is impacting their ability to pay their rent and bills on time

Payment Information

The Change Reaction doesn’t pay individuals directly. Instead, we pay third-party vendors based on the specific situation. To ensure payment is processed smoothly, please make sure to provide the following:

1.
A Third-Party vendor the check should be made payable to
2.
Invoices and/or other documentation to support the requested items or repairs
3.
W9 from landlord

Advocacy Statement

The advocacy statement is a crucial part of the application, as it provides The Change Reaction team and donors with a clear understanding of your client and their situation. Below is an example of an advocacy statement, along with questions to help guide you when speaking with your clients.

Please include a brief description of the situation, the client's involvement with your organization, and describe how the gift will improve the client's situation.

“Jane works as an office assistant at Alta Dena full time and has been there for 3 years. She is a single mother of 3 kids ages 6, 8, and 12. I have known Jane’s family for 5 years, all three children have attended our elementary school, and I have gotten to know Jane very well over the past year. She is a hard-working mom and receives support with the kids from her extended family who all live in LA. Jane’s car began to have issues, and the kids began coming to school late. When we checked in with her regarding the kids' tardiness, she explained that she has been having car trouble. She took it into the auto shop and found out that she needs a new transmission. Jane lives paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford such a big expense of $1,560 to fix her car, but she needs her car to get the kids to school on time and to get to work on time. Attached is a copy of the invoice from the auto shop, auto repairs are for transmission $500, spark plugs $200, front brakes $410 and labor cost $450 to fix her car. Fixing Jane’s car will keep her on track at work and help ensure that her kids get to school safely and on time.”

Here are some guiding questions to be able to support an advocacy statement like the one above:

What is your job role and your responsibilities?
Are you the head of the household?
Or a contributing member?
Are you financially responsible for anyone else in your household?
How long have you been involved with our organization?
In what ways have you benefited from your involvement in our organization?
How were you dealing with this situation prior to reaching out for assistance?
What is the plan for handling this financial emergency?
How will this emergency impact your household’s stability?
Do you have any funds to contribute to this financial emergency?
Have you considered any other resources to assist you with this emergency?
How will this gift contribute towards your life and help keep you stable?

Pay It Forward

We encourage your client to think about ways they can do an act of kindness within their community because we believe everyone has the power to be the giver. We ask that this act of kindness happens outside of employment and family members. Also, it does not have to be monetary.

Ways to Pay It Forward

Cooking a meal for a neighbor
Babysitting while a friend runs errands
Planting a tree in the community
Buy coffee for the person behind you
Taking the trash bins out for a neighbor
Grocery shop for a disabled or elderly person
Donate clothes you’ve outworn
Volunteer at your local organization
Clean up your local beach or park
Run an errand for a busy loved one
Donate Blood
Hold the door open for a stranger
Let someone go in front of you in line
Help someone with a task
Send a positive message to a friend

Self Sufficiency Plan

We support individuals on a sustainable path who would stay on track if not for this emergency. We do not assist those in chronic situations. If submitting a request, ensure your client has a financial plan and can manage the expense in the future.

Guiding Questions

Will you be able to meet your monthly expenses if you receive this gift?
Do you have a plan for preventing future financial emergencies?

Supporting Documents

If you are including any documentation in an application (w9, invoice, quote, etc.) please make sure that:

The name of the person to whom the document applies is clearly visible
The date of the document is clearly visible
The document is relevant to the situation
Before uploading, you remove or cover up information such as social security numbers, bank account numbers, user names, and passwords
Photos or screenshots are readable

Please attach documents to your online request; do not send documentation via email.

How to fulfill an Approved Request

We support individuals on a sustainable path who would stay on track if not for this emergency. We do not assist those in chronic situations. If submitting a request, ensure your client has a financial plan and can manage the expense in the future.

Grants

If your request is approved as a grant, there are a few different options on how to fulfill the request. If you don’t know which option your organization uses, please contact your Head Change Agent

Angel Funds

The Change Reaction will send a lump sum to your organization to create what we call an in-house Angel Fund. These funds are restricted and should only be used for requests approved by one of our donors through the Change Reaction portal. To support your efforts in managing the fund, your organization will receive a 10% administrative fee, which can be drawn from the funds to cover any related admin costs.

01

Fulfilling a Request

The Change Agent who submitted the request will need to gather all necessary information and contact their organization’s accounting department to fulfill the approved request.Once information is gathered, you will:

1.
Write a check directly to the third-party vendor
OR
2.
Place an online order / purchase items for the client

IT IS OUR POLICY NOT TO ISSUE CHECKS TO CLIENTS. ALL CHECKS SHOULD GO DIRECTLY TO VENDORS.

Please get in touch with your finance team to ensure Change Agents understand the process of fulfilling approved requests. Most organizations have certain regulations and internal processes that they must follow to adhere to IRS tax laws and regulations.

02

Reporting

It is important that The Change Reaction and your organization are aligned on the balance of your Angel Fund. Please assign one team member to keep track of The Change Reaction Angel Fund using a spend down report. The Change Reaction will provide an excel template at the beginning of the relationship to keep track of the fund. 

Please send the report to Charlie Portillo (cportillo@changereaction.org) the first week of every month to ensure correct fund allocation and an accurate Angel Fund balance. If your Angel Fund is running low, update the spend down report and share it with The Change Reaction. We will reconcile the report and begin the replenishment process.

Download our REPORTING TEMPLATE

PEX Cards

For smaller organizations or individual Community Change Agents, we set them up with PEX Cards. 

PEX cards work like debit cards but are linked to The Change Reaction's bank account, not the individual cardholder. When a request is approved, funds are loaded onto the Change Agent’s PEX card, and the Change Agent can then make online or in-store purchases, just like a regular debit card. Each card has a unique number, and the Change Agent can set their own PIN.

ABOUT PEX CARDS

Step 1

Portal request approved!

Step 2

CCA reach out to Charlie to confirm total amount approved

Step 3

Charlie uploads exact amount of funds to PEX Card

Step 4

PEX Card is ready to be used!

*Please make sure to account for tax and delivery fees, so we can load enough funds onto card.

Things to know about using the PEX Card:

The PEX card is a US Debit Card (not a credit card)
PEX cards can be used for online, phone, and in-person transactions (if accepted by the vendor)
Funds cannot be withdrawn from an ATM
PEX can only be used for purchases approved by The Change Reaction
Billing Address for PEX: 15301 Ventura Blvd Ste B-570, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
There is a mobile app you can download, or visit PEX’s website at pexcard.com

What if the PEX Card is not accepted by a vendor?

The Change Reaction can issue a check to the third-party vendor. We will need the vendor to share an invoice and fill out a w9
The Change Reaction does not make checks out to recipients; it must be made payable to a vendor
We prefer to send checks directly to vendor, but if necessary, can send directly to a client to hand deliver

*Please note: Checks at The Change Reaction are only cut on Tuesdays. Keep this in mind
when submitting a check request!

Download our PEX CARD INFORMATION

Loans

In addition to our grants, clients may be eligible for an interest-free loan through our lending partners, Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) or Inclusive Action for the City. Below is the process of receiving an interest-free loan.

A Step By Step Process of our Loan Program

01

Change Agent submits an application through The Change Reaction portal.

02

If the request is fulfilled as a loan, the Change Agent must confirm the client's acceptance. If accepted, The Change Reaction will connect them to JFLA or Inclusive Action for the City.

03

Client completes the loan application and submits required documents:

For JFLA, the client must include a guarantor. The Change Reaction will act as the guarantor, so the client should enter "Greg Perlman" and contact Bobby once completed. No second guarantor is needed
The client must have a California ID/Driver's License, Social Security Number, and bank account
Submit a voided check with the client’s routing and account numbers
If married, the client’s spouse must upload their ID and email address
DocuSign forms will be sent to the client and their spouse separately
04

Once approved, the client will receive a DocuSign with loan terms, including:

Loan repayment start date
Monthly repayment amount (e.g., $84/month, starting six weeks after funds are received)
Loan terms are pre-determined, typically $100/month or amortized over 36 months
05

Funds will be deposited into the client's bank account within 2 business days.

06

Once repayments begin, they will be automatically deducted monthly from the client's bank account on the selected date.

Download our STEP-BY-STEP LOAN PROCESS

Missed Payments

Our mission is to help your clients during a difficult time, and we want them to be in good standing. We encourage your clients to maintain open communication with Bobby, our contact at JFLA, or Jesus, our contact at Inclusive Action for the City throughout the repayment process. Should they find themselves struggling to make payments, Bobby or Jesus can reduce the monthly amount so they can maintain payments and good standing.

If your client is unable to make payment, please notify the lending partner within 72 hours. If the auto deduction date needs to be changed, a request must be made in writing to JFLA or Inclusive Action.  If a payment is missed, the Change Agent will be contacted by the lending partner.

Any client that doesn't maintain communication with the lending partner and misses more than one payment will be considered for collections.

Bobby’s Contact Information
Bobby Saidan
bobby@jfla.org
323-761-8830 x 113
323-761-8842 - can text

Jesus’s Contact Information
Jesus Gonzalez-Saucedo
jesus@inclusiveaction.org
213 633 9383

Impact Statements

We believe that everyone in this world has the power to be generous. We also believe that when impact is shared, it creates a ripple effect of kindness and generosity throughout our city.

We highly recommend that you encourage your clients to provide an impact statement once the request is approved about how this gift touched their life and improved their situation. Once they receive a gift, your client can write a letter, send an email, or leave a voicemail to the donor who directly made the gift. Impact statements encourage our donors to expand their reach and touch the lives of as many Angelenos as they can. Addressing impact statements to a specific person can also enhance the client's dignity, knowing that a stranger heard about their story and cared enough to help.

Click here to read some inspirational impact statements