Emergency Financial Assistance

Emergency Financial Assistance

Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals:

  • In times of unexpected critical need
  • To assist towards basic living expenses such as health care, housing and utilities to prevent eviction or shut-offs

We take into consideration:

  • If you can cover your expenses for the next few months, you may not be eligible at this time.
  • Please access all personal and community resources prior to applying.
  • If you are able to work, we expect that you are making all efforts to secure work, both within and outside of the industry.

We understand that having a consistent and stable income can be a challenge when working in performing arts and entertainment. With that in mind, the Fund’s emergency financial assistance grants are managed by our social services team who will assist you to explore available resources. These can include our programs such as The Career Center, Financial Wellness and Health Insurance Resource Center, as well as community resources.

In addition to our own emergency financial assistance, the Entertainment Community Fund administers grants for other organizations. Please review the eligibility for all funds when applying.

Please read our FAQs for more information.

How to Apply

  • Review our FAQs
  • Review eligibility for the Fund and our partner programs
    • Review the list of funds below
    • Submit only one application to apply for any of the funds below
  • Prepare your documentation
    • Before you start the online application, please collect and digitize all of the required documents
  • Submit a completed application

Emergency Assistance Funds

Entertainment Community Fund

Eligibility and documentation:

  • Documentation of professional performing arts and entertainment earnings within theater, film, television, music, radio and dance for the most recent six consecutive years (2019–2024).

    and

     
  • At least three separate years must document an annual income of a minimum of $10,000.
  • For those 60 years and older, documented 20 years of performing arts income, with a minimum of 10 years of at least $5,000 in annual earnings.
  • For dancers whose primary earnings are from freelance dance, documented income for the most recent six consecutive years and annual earnings of at least $5,000 for three separate years out of the most recent six years.

Required documentation:

  • Government issued identification (driver’s license, state ID, passport, work visa)
  • Earned Industry Income (pension and health statements, W2, 1099, paystubs)
  • Most recent personal checking and savings account statements (PDFs preferred). Screenshots are not allowed. Full statements with transactions are required
  • The first two pages of most recent Federal Tax return (1040 form)
  • Lease or mortgage and bills for which you are seeking assistance
  • If applicable:
    • Union Card or Verification letter
    • Medical, accident or circumstantial documentation
  • Additional documentation may be required upon review
AFM Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund

Eligibility 

  • A current member in good standing who has paid full membership dues for the preceding four quarters
  • Documentation of financial need

Required Documentation—all documentation must include name and/or address

  • An applicant must provide documentation of their union status and eligibility. This documentation will be in the form of:
    • A screenshot of the applicants’ membership dues portal page demonstrating their eligibility or
    • A copy of Local 802’s membership dues payment report. To obtain a copy, email or call Local 802’s membership department at membership@local802afm.org or 212.245.4802.
  • Current complete checking, savings and investment account bank statements, including name, address, transactions and balance totals
  • Bills for which assistance is requested that includes applicant name and address
  • Most recent Federal Income Tax Return—first two pages only (1040 form)
  • Housing expense—lease or mortgage/maintenance, including name and address
  • Government Issued Photo ID
  • If applicable, documentation of your illness, injury or disability
  • To determine eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund
American Guild of Musical Artists Relief Fund

Eligibility and documentation:

  • Current members in good standing or on honorary withdrawal. Confirmation of current membership including start and end date. Email membership@musicalartists.org and put ‘Proof of Membership in subject line for confirmation letter.
  • Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address, transactions and balance totals.
  • Bills for which you are seeking assistance including applicant name and address.
  • If applicable, documentation of your illness, injury or disability.
  • To determine your eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund.
Casting Society Cares

Eligibility and documentation:

  • Documentation of financial need.
  • Current, active member of Casting Society. A PDF of membership card must be obtained online:
    • Login to www.castingsociety.com → My Account → Billing & Membership → Print Your Membership Card (PDF)
  • Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address, transactions and balance totals.
  • Most recent Federal Income Tax Return—first two pages only (1040 form).
  • Bills for which you are seeking assistance including name and address.
  • For international members only: to apply, please email eastern@entertainmentcommunity.org
  • To determine eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund.
Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief (GOPAR)

GOPAR provides emergency financial assistance to individuals throughout Greater Orlando who derive their primary income from the performing arts and/or theme park entertainment sectors. 

Eligibility and Documentation

Eligibility

  • Documentation of financial need.
  • Current resident of one of the following Florida counties: Lake, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Osceola, Brevard or Polk.
  • Documentation of two years of eligible performing arts and entertainment earnings out of the last five years. Both documented years of earnings must be a minimum of $6,500 per year. OR
    • A minimum of 20 years of industry-paid employment with at least 10 years of industry earnings of $5,000 per year. OR
    • Professionals whose primary career is as a dancer must document earnings from dance of $2,000 per year, two years out of the last five years. OR
    • Comedians whose primary earnings are through live performance must document earnings from comedic work of $2,000 per year for three years out of the last seven.
  • Primary eligible income must be from employment in the performing arts and/or theme park entertainment sector in the greater Orlando area, but may also include income from arts education employment to meet the annual earnings criteria. 

Required Documents

  • Documentation of Industry Earnings: Accepted forms of earnings documentation include Union Pension and Health statements, W-2, 1099 forms, signed contracts or pay stubs.
  • Current checking, savings and investment statements, including name, address, transaction and balance totals.
  • Most recent federal income tax return—first two pages only (1040 form).
  • Bills for which you are seeking assistance including applicant name and address.
  • Housing expense—lease or mortgage including name and address.
  • If applicable, documentation of your illness, injury or disability.
Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund

The Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund offers emergency financial assistance to current or former employees of Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Eligibility and documentation:

  • An applicant must experience a verifiable financial hardship due to natural disaster or unforeseen personal crisis.
  • Documentation of current or former employee status working with Oregon Shakespeare Festival during the past seven seasons, full-time or contract. Verification of employment and history status must be included in application. Request letter by emailing HumanResources@osfashland.org. Please include your name, email, address and phone number.
  • Current checking and savings statement, including name, address, transactions and balance totals.
  • Most recent federal income tax return—first two pages only (1040 form).
  • Lease, mortgage/maintenance and bills for which you are seeking assistance, with your name and address.
  • If applicable, documentation of your illness, injury or disability.
  • If applicable, documents that confirm FEMA certification for disaster related events or other applicable materials.
  • To determine eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund.
IATSE Local 161 Hardship Relief Fund

Eligibility

  • A current member in good standing for a minimum of the last two years
  • If not currently in good standing, member may contact the union to apply for an exception
  • Documentation of financial need

Required Documentation

  • Verification letter of eligibility from union. Please contact: Germaine Marino, Administrative Service Coordinator, at Germaine@local161.org. Include your name, email address and phone number.
  • Current complete checking, savings and investment bank statements, including name, address, transactions and balance totals
  • Bills for which assistance is requested including applicant name and address
  • Most recent 1040 form from Federal Income Tax Return
  • Housing expense—lease, mortgage/maintenance, including name and address
  • To determine eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund
IATSE Local 476 Chicago Studio Mechanics Hardship Relief Fund

Eligibility

  • A current member in good standing for two out of the last three years (eight quarters out of the last twelve quarters)
  • Documentation of financial need

Required Documentation

  • Current IATSE Local 476 verification of eligibility letter
    • To request verification letter, send an email to lindab@iatse476.org. Please include your name, email address and phone number.
  • Current complete checking, savings and investment account bank statements, including name, address, transactions and balance totals
  • Bills for which assistance is requested that include applicant name and address
  • Most recent 1040 form from Federal Income Tax Return
  • Housing expense—lease, mortgage/maintenance, including name and address
  • To determine eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund
IATSE Local 600 Hardship Fund 

IATSE Local 600 Hardship Fund provides assistance for members facing work loss due to illness, injury or natural disaster.

Eligibility:

  • The applicant must have been a member in good standing for at least two continuous years at the onset of the qualifying illness. Verification of membership status is required. To request a letter, email accounting@icg600.com with your name, email, address and phone number.
  • The member must have earned at least $25,000 in covered earnings over the past five years.

The member must have experienced verifiable financial hardship due to one of the following:

  • An extreme catastrophic injury or illness which prevents that member from performing covered work for at least six months.
  • A severe workplace injury while in Local 600 that prevents the member from performing covered work.
  • A man-made or natural disaster that prevents the member from performing covered work.

Required Documentation:

  • Most recent personal checking and savings bank statements (PDF preferred). Screenshots are not allowed. Full statements with first and last name and transaction history are required.
  • Most recent federal income tax return—first two pages only (1040).
  • Lease or mortgage documents and any bills for which you seek assistance.
  • Government-issued identification (driver’s license, state ID, passport, work visa).
  • Union Verification letter required (as noted above).
  • Documentation that confirms the injury or illness (such as physician’s note or workers compensation application, if applicable).
  • Documents that confirm FEMA certifications for disaster-related applications.
IATSE Local 700 Hardship Relief Fund

Eligibility

  • A member who has satisfied a minimum of two quarterly dues periods within one year of application, or has officially retired according to Guild records.
  • Verification of status must be included in the application. Request a letter by emailing MemberAssistanceFund@editorsguild.com. Please include your name, email address and phone number.
  • Documented need.

Required Documentation

  • Verification letter of eligibility from Local 700
  • Current complete checking, savings and investment bank statements, including name, address, transactions and balance totals.
  • Bills for which assistance is requested, including applicant name and address.
  • Most recent 1040 form from Federal Income Tax Return
  • Housing expense—lease, mortgage/maintenance, including name and address.
  • Medical or natural disaster documentation if applicable.
  • To determine eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see the criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund.
IATSE Local 798

Applicants must have experienced unplanned financial hardship due to injury, illness, natural disaster or other critical situations, not due to lack of work.

Eligibility

  • Member for a minimum of 2 years with verification of eligibility status provided by the Union. To request eligibility verification, send an email to: gschwartz@local798.net and copy SecretaryTreasurer@local798.net. Please include your name, email address and phone number.

Required Documentation

  • Member Verification Letter from union (see above)
  • Current complete checking, savings and investment account bank statements, including name, address, transactions and balance totals
  • Bills for which assistance is requested that include applicant name and address
  • Most recent Federal Income Tax Return—first two pages only (1040 form)
  • Housing expense—lease or mortgage/maintenance, including name and address
  • Government Issued Photo ID
  • If applicable, documentation of your illness, injury or disability, or other circumstance
  • To determine eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund
Jujamcyn Theatre Assistance Fund

Eligibility and documentation:

  • A regular team member in good standing for 6 months (this can be non-consecutive) within the last 12 months. OR
  • A substitute team member is eligible if you have worked part-time or full-time in good standing within each of the last 12 months.
  • Current complete checking, savings and investment statements, including name, address and balance totals.
  • Bills for which you are seeking assistance including applicant name and address.
  • If applicable, documentation of your illness, injury or disability.
  • To determine eligibility for an additional grant through the Entertainment Community Fund, please see criteria listed under the Entertainment Community Fund.

 

Tips On Making Your Applications Process Easier

All documents need to be digitized and ready to upload before you begin filling out the application. Suggested steps to create a digital file:

  • Please use a scanner to digitize your documents into PDF files. Save files on your computer for uploading during the application process.
  • If a scanning device is not available and you have a smartphone, you can search the app store for applications that will allow you to turn pictures that you take with your smartphone into PDF files (i.e. Search “Image to PDF” or “PDF maker” in the app store of your device).
    • If you are taking pictures of your documents using your smartphone, please be sure that all information is legible.

To apply, the Fund now requires that you have an account on the Entertainment Community Fund’s Portal.

If you have already created a Fund Client Portal account, please sign in to access and complete the Financial Assistance Application.

If you have previously received services from the Fund, a Fund Portal account has already been created for you. To activate this account, please reset your password and complete your profile. You will then be able to access the Financial Assistance Application.

If you are new to the Fund, please create an account by completing the profile information required in the Client Portal. Once you complete your profile, you will be able to access the Financial Assistance Application.

Apply for emergency assistance

Only complete applications can be processed. Please submit all requested documents so that we can assist you as quickly as possible.

Questions? Contact an office nearest to you:

Eastern Region
eastern@entertainmentcommunity.org
917.281.5919

Central Region
central@entertainmentcommunity.org
312.372.0989

Western Region
western@entertainmentcommunity.org
323.330.2455