As we near the end of 2023, the Entertainment Community Fund reflects on all that your support has accomplished to help the performing arts and entertainment community over the past few months.

Below is an update highlighting the impact of your gift so far during this challenging year. We truly cannot do it without you.

Emergency Financial Assistance and Responsive Content

The most urgent need in our community over the past few months has been emergency financial assistance. After depleting their savings to stay afloat during the pandemic shutdowns, many of our clients came into 2023 living paycheck-to-paycheck without any financial cushion for hard times. When the work stoppage began in May, thousands of individuals across the country–many of whom first learned about the Fund during the pandemic–flocked to us for help, including:

• A 32-year-old single actor who used to work regularly, who has bills and rent piling up. “Honestly, anything would be of help as I continue to look for employment.”
• A 46-year-old married client with two children who has completely depleted their savings and cannot pay next month’s bills. “I will also lose my healthcare this year for my family and do not know what to do.”
• A 39-year-old divorced grip with a 10-year-old child has exhausted his savings and is falling behind on rent and child support.
• A 54-year-old single makeup artist who helped with her pregnant daughter’s medical bills, leaving her unprepared to manage her own expenses when the work stoppage began for the work stoppage.

Since May 2, the Fund has been distributing $500,000-$600,000 in emergency financial assistance per week, compared to our normal weekly average of $75,000. As of this writing, we have disbursed over $10.4 million to more than 4,800 film and television workers affected by the work stoppage.

Emergency financial assistance from the Fund helps with basic living expenses, including medicine, rent, utilities and groceries. The situation is truly dire for our clients, and there is overwhelming gratitude for the help we can provide thanks to you:

“I can’t thank the Entertainment Community Fund enough. I will be able to stay in my apartment because of all of you. Last night was the first time I slept in weeks. And I’m actually able to feel like I can breathe again. Thank you all . And know that what you are doing is no small thing at a time like this.” – Anonymous

Financial assistance is often an important entry point for entertainment professionals to learn about the full scope of our services; we have also developed multiple workshops and content in response to the current industry challenges, including:

• If Your Industry Work is on Pause Series
  • Job Search
  • Financial Wellness
  • Self-Care
  • Getting Affordable Health Insurance
• Anxiety Toolbox
• Finding the Best Mental Health Support for You
• Stretching Your Dollars

The Fund continues to offer a wide range of programs designed to foster stability and resiliency. We invite you to explore our website and learn more about all that we do.

If you are in a position to donate again, every bit helps.

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Thank you for supporting a life in the arts!