Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund
| Company type | Nonprofit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Charity, Hospitality support |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Darlene Dwyer, David Emil, Michael Lomonaco, Waldy Malouf, Tom Valenti |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Families of food, beverage, and hospitality workers killed in the World Trade Center attacks |
| Products | Financial grants, insurance coverage, educational scholarships, case management assistance |
Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund is a nonprofit entity classified under 501(c)(3), created to assist the families of food, beverage, and hospitality employees who perished during the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City.
Origins
The restaurant complex known as Windows on the World was situated on the 106th and 107th floors of the World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, all 79 staff members working there lost their lives. Additionally, numerous other food service workers within the complex—including chefs, caterers, corporate dining personnel, and delivery staff—also died in the tragedy.
In response, a group of hospitality industry professionals established the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund to offer both immediate and ongoing support to the families of these workers, many of whom held entry-level positions and faced economic challenges. Founders included prominent figures such as Darlene Dwyer (a public relations consultant in the food sector), David Emil (who was the owner/operator of Windows on the World at that time), along with chefs Michael Lomonaco, Waldy Malouf, and Tom Valenti.
Activities
The fund currently aids approximately 120 families, initially distributing direct financial grants and later expanding its services to include insurance coverage, educational scholarship support, and case management assistance to help families navigate compensation claims from the Federal Victims Compensation Fund.
Fundraising initiatives involved soliciting contributions and organizing a nationwide Dine Out event on October 11, 2001. During this event, participating restaurants pledged to donate 10% of their sales, raising a total of $23 million.
To ensure efficient management of resources and operations, Windows of Hope partnered with Community Service Society. This collaboration has been recognized by Binghamton University as instrumental in enhancing the fund’s effectiveness and longevity. David Campbell, who conducted research on nonprofits formed after 9/11, identified this partnership as a critical factor in the organization’s achievements.
By 2006, the fund’s primary focus shifted toward providing tuition assistance. It contracted with Scholarship America to handle scholarship payments and reimbursements. An educational liaison was appointed to support families with Scholarship America coordination and related educational matters. The organization intends to continue this level of support through the year 2022.
Mission statement
The purpose of Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund is to deliver financial aid, scholarships, and various forms of support to families who lost loved ones working in food, beverage, and hospitality roles throughout the World Trade Center complex on September 11.