Monday, October 22, 2007

Emergency Assistance for Artists

The following is a listing of foundations and organizations whose primary mission is to provide emergency financial and other assistance to artists in dire need.

1. Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF)

The mission of the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) is to provide direct financial assistance to professional craft artists through the award of small grants ($1,500 - $5,000) and no-interest loans ($3,500 - $8,000), through the waiver and discounts of booth fees, and through donation of supplies and equipment. Since its inception in 1985, hundreds of craft artists have been provided with over $1.25 million in financial assistance, donated services, equipment and supplies.

Full information about CERF, criteria for assistance, eligibility requirements, and application forms is available on its website:
http://www.craftemergency.org/

2. The Haven Foundation

The Haven Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization making grants to freelance writers and artists experiencing career-threatening illness, accident, natural disaster or other emergency or personal catastrophe. The Haven Foundation is a small fund providing grants of up to $25,000 per year, renewable for up to five years (pending approval of renewal application).
http://www.thehavenfdn.org/

3. John Anson Kittredge Educational Fund

Grants awarded to artists in very special circumstances. $1,000 - $10,000. Initial contact by letter stating purpose, amount requested, period of funding, supporting letter.

Application Address:
P.O. Box 2883
Cambridge, MA 02138


4. Myer Foundation: Economic Relief Grants

Economic relief grants to needy individuals who are distressed or suffering as a result of poverty, low income or lack of financial resources, including as a result of natural or civil disasters, or from temporary impoverishment, loss of employment, death or incapacity of a family wage earner or damage to home and property; to provide health care to those who cannot afford health care or whose health insurance or financial resources are insufficient to cover medical needs. Grants range from $2,500 - $5,000

An application form is not required. Proposals should be made in letter form. See web site for details regarding information required:
http://foundationcenter.org/grantmaker/mayer/individuals.html

Application Address:
20 West 64th Street, Suite 15-U
New York, NY 10023

Email: mayerfoundation@hotmail.com

5. Change Emergency Funds

One-time only emergency grants for visual artists of any discipline within the U.S.

Grants are to avoid eviction, pay medical bills, pay unpaid utility bills, address fire damage or any other emergency the board deems worthy.

Awards of up to $1,000 for medical, living, or other emergencies. Open to artists of all disciplines, with no U.S. geographical restrictions; students are not eligible. Each applicant must submit a detailed letter describing the financial emergency, copies of outstanding bills, medical fee estimates, etc., and current financial statements, along with a career resume, exhibition or performance announcements, slides or photos of work and two letters of reference from someone in the affiliated field (no video tapes). Only complete applications will be accepted. Change, Inc does not issue more than one grant per person.

Application Address:
Robert Rauschenberg, Executive Director
Change, Inc.

P.O. Box 54
Captiva, FL 33924

Phone: (212) 473-3742

6. Springboard for the Arts Emergency Relief Fund (ERF)

“Springboard's Emergency Relief Fund exists to help meet the emergency needs of artists in need of immediate monies to cover an expense due to loss from fire, theft, health emergency, or other catastrophic, career-threatening event.”

Update, August 23, 2007: The Emergency Relief Fund is recently depleted due to a high volume of recent requests for funding. Applications will still be accepted and reviewed in the order received, but cannot be funded immediately. [Emphasis Added]
http://www.springboardforthearts.org/Services/ERF.asp

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