Photo credit: Rebecca J. Michelson
Fund’s ESSENTIAL Campaign Concludes Surpassing $160 Million Goal
New York, NY (June 13, 2025) — The Entertainment Community Fund today announced the appointment of six new members to their Board of Trustees. The new members—Kristin Caskey, Ariana DeBose, Robert Greenblatt, Greg Nobile, Wendy Orshan and Michael Shur—were elected at the Fund’s annual board meeting on June 11. Current Board members Laura Penn and Lauren Reid were elected Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. Founded in 1882, the Entertainment Community Fund provides support and resources tailored to the specific needs of performing arts and entertainment professionals.
Annette Bening was re-elected as Chair of the Board and stated, “We welcome the addition of this robust and talented group of professionals who, through their respective careers, have already made impactful contributions to the entertainment industry. Their expertise and leadership exemplify the Fund’s values and mission, and they will help us strengthen our service to and relationship with the performing arts community. They understand firsthand the unique challenges of a life in the arts and recognize the vital role the Fund plays in serving as a pillar that people in the industry can depend on.”
The Entertainment Community Fund also successfully concluded its ESSENTIAL fundraising campaign on April 30, 2025, raising $164 million and surpassing its three-year goal of $160 million. The ESSENTIAL Campaign was a comprehensive effort that expanded the Fund’s ability to reach more people in more communities. Dollars raised are being utilized by the Fund for significant expansion of services, for an emergency relief reserve fund and to address mission-critical capital projects. ESSENTIAL Campaign leadership included Honorary Co-Chairs Annette Bening and Brian Stokes Mitchell and Co-Chairs Hugh Jackman, Chris Keyser, Kenny Leon, Matthew Loeb, Shonda Rhimes and Robert Wankel. To learn more about the ESSENTIAL Campaign, visit entertainmentcommunity.org/Essential.
For a full listing of the board, councils and committees of the Entertainment Community Fund, visit entertainmentcommunity.org/leadership.