Family Self-Sufficiency Initiative (FSSI)

Family Self-Sufficiency Initiative (FSSI) is sponsored by Pfaffinger Foundation. The Family Self-Sufficiency Initiative provides one-time grants for necessities such as rent, furnishings, or clothing to low-income working families and individuals who are receiving case management through partner social service agencies.

Who We Are - Pfaffinger Foundation Since our founding in 1936, we have helped the employees and retirees who have worked at the former Times Mirror companies during times of hardship. Our caring case managers talk with each applicant to understand your circumstances, to share resources and, in many cases, make a recommendation for a grant to assist with an essential need.

Pfaffinger Foundation also provides community grants to local nonprofits and through our Family Self-Sufficiency Initiative, we partner with local nonprofits to work with their case managers to provide small grants to help low income working families become more stable.

Pfaffinger Foundation founded by Frank Pfaffinger First individual grant awarded First community grants awarded Case Committee created to review individual grant applications weekly First Licensed Clinical Social Worker hired leading to professionalism of case management services Times Mirror Company sold to Tribune Company Working Poor Program created, later renamed Family Self-Sufficiency Initiative (FSSI) Combined grants for individuals, community nonprofits and FSSI families surpassed $100,000,000 Eligibility expanded to assist employees with at least one year of employment during a qualified time period Did you know that we have a volunteer Case Committee that reviews every individual grant application?

Our Case Committee consists of 15 volunteer members who have worked at a former Times Mirror company, including the Baltimore Sun, the Hartford Courant, Newsday and the Los Angeles Times. These independent volunteers meet weekly with the staff to consider the applications presented and make recommendations and decisions regarding the grant requests. Did you know that we have Case Managers on staff to respond to requests for assistance?

Our staff of professional case managers has advanced training and decades of experience in assessing needs, understanding family and work dynamics, discussing budgeting and financial decision making, sharing recommendations and coordinating resources that may be helpful. Our caring case managers respond to completed applications with a telephone interview to understand each applicant’s unique concerns and circumstances.

Following the interview, the case manager will write an application summary and present this summary to the Case Committee for consideration.