Restaurants:
Foundations:
For America /
Puget Sound region.: https://www.seattlefoundation.org/communityimpact/civic-leadership/covid-19-response-fund
Berkshire: https://www.berkshireunitedway.org/covid-19-emergency-response-fund
Startups:
Public Funding: https://www.covid19-response.com/request-for-idea-form
From: https://www.kqed.org/arts/13876893/emergency-funds-for-freelancers-creatives-losing-income-during-coronavirus
Artists and creators
The Safety Net Fund
The Safety Net Fund is offering financial support to artists who typically make their living offline, at in-person events and performances. To qualify, you must reside in the Bay Area (or near it, as some San Joaquin and Santa Cruz county zip codes are eligible), must provide proof of an artistic endeavor in the last six months, cannot be eligible for unemployment insurance from the state, and must have earned less than $1,000 of income in the last 30 days.
The Creator Fund
The Creator Fund from the email marketing company ConvertKit is offering financial assistance of up to $500 for artists and small business owners—the term “creator” is loosely defined. The mini grants can be used for groceries, childcare, rent, mortgage or medical expenses. On its website, the Creator Fund is realistic about its limitations to meet everyone’s needs, but still encourages people to apply.
Bay Area Emergency Fund: Artists/Event Production
This fund for artists and event producers who make their living from live events is accepting donations, but so far doesn’t have an application process available. When the application goes live, it will require bank statements and proof of an event cancellation that resulted in loss of income. This is a need-based grant; those who need help with rent, medical care, utility bills and childcare will be prioritized.
The Actors Fund’s Entertainment Assistance Program
Any performing artist or entertainment industry professional is eligible for financial assistance from the Actors Fund as long as they either have a minimum of five years of industry experience (while making over $6,500 a year from their creative pursuit for three of those years), or 20 years of industry employment while earning at least $5,000 from it for 10 of those years. In addition to helping with rent or medical expenses, the Actors Fund offers information on affordable housing, health care services, landlord-tenant issues and more. Those interested must contact the Actors Fund directly to apply.
Funds for Musicians and Nightlife Workers
The SF Queer Nightlife Fund
Nightlife is a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ community, so what happens when the dancers, drag queens, DJs, musicians and bartenders who rely on in-person work can no longer do that labor? Workers in the queer nightlife scene experiencing financial hardship can apply for help with food, rent, PG&E, phone, internet and medical expenses. Applications are due March 31.
Musicians’ Foundation Grant
If you’ve been a working musician in the United States for the last five years, the Musicians’ Foundation Grant offers grants for emergency situations like medical care or personal or family crisis. The foundation will pay recipients’ expenses directly rather than writing them a check, and grants range between $500 and $3,000.
MusiCares Emergency Financial Assistance
Musicians and music industry professionals experiencing unexpected financial hardships can apply to the Recording Academy’s MusiCares program. To be eligible, you must have a documented history as an industry professional for at least five years, or have contributed to six commercially released recordings or videos. MusiCares can fund medical costs, addiction recovery treatment, psychotherapy and basic living expenses such as rent and utilities.
The Blues Foundation HART Fund
This one is specific to blues musicians. The HART Fund offers financial assistance for health-related expenses, and artists need to call or email directly to apply.
Funds for Visual Artists
The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
If you’re a sculptor, printmaker or painter with over ten years of experience, the Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program offers larger grants of up to $15,000 for unforeseen expenses. The application specifies that it’s a one-time grant related to a specific emergency, such as fire, flood or medical needs.
Rauschenberg Emergency Grants
Professional artists of all disciplines living anywhere in the United States can apply for Rauschenberg Emergency Grants of up to $5,000 to cover unforeseen expenses. Please note that a panel reviewing the applications will begin to meet in May and June, so this program isn’t the one for those with pressing, short-term needs.
CERF+ Artists’ Safety Net
Artists working in craft disciplines—including but not limited to clay, fiber, metal, wood, glass, concrete, plastic, synthetic fibers or recycled materials—can apply for emergency grants of up to $3,000 from the Craft Emergency Relief Fund. They must demonstrate that they’ve been making a sizable portion of their living from their craft for three years, or that they’ve been involved in traditional or folk art on an ongoing basis. Artists are asked to submit an inquiry form before they can apply.
Funds for Writers and Authors
Authors League Fund
Journalists, playwrights, poets and authors facing sudden loss of income or unforeseen medical expenses in the United States can apply for emergency grants from the Authors League Fund. The grants, however, prioritize experienced professionals who’ve either been published by traditional publishing houses or publications with national circulation, or have had their work produced by mid-sized or large theaters. The amount of the grant is not specified, and depends on the severity of the emergency.
PEN America Writers’ Emergency Fund
PEN America gives out need-based grants of up to $2,000 for emergency expenses to writers and journalists, and has an additional program for those who are HIV positive. The organization is looking to bolster these programs amid coronavirus, and plans to announce those updates on March 23.
Additional Funds
Sex Worker ER Grant Fund
Sex workers who rely on in-person business can apply for $50–$200 microgrants to cover short-term expenses from Bay Area Workers Support (BAWS), a grassroots advocacy organization. BAWS also uses its social media profiles to amplify sex workers’ GoFundMe and other crowdfunding campaigns, and is accepting donations from allies.
COVID-19 Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQI+ BIPOC Folks
This fundraiser on GoFundMe has a goal of $100,000, and organizers Amita Swadhin, Treva Ellison, Natalie Havlin, Carrie Hawks, Ren-yo Hwang and Alisa Zipursky are distributing the funds through $100 microgrants to black, indigenous and people of color in the LGBTQ+ community. The fund was created especially to help cover the living expenses of self-employed people and service workers, and isn’t limited by geographic location. Although applications for aid are closed, allies can still donate to provide additional support for grantees who have already been accepted.
From: https://www.newhavenarts.org/covid19funding
COVID-19 Funding Resources
Helping you and your organization through the coronavirus pandemic
EMERGENCY FUNDS
- Authors League Fund - The Authors League Fund helps professional writers in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune by providing no-strings-attached “loans” to pay for pressing expenses.
- Arts and Culture Leaders of Color - Emergency Fund
- Creative Capital - List of funds and resources
- Foundation for Contemporary Arts - Emergency Grants provide urgent funding ($500-$2,500) for visual and performing artistswho incur unexpected or unbudgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates.
- New York Foundation for the Arts - Emergency Grants List
- PEN American Writers’ Emergency Fund - emergency grant provides financial assistance for painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation.
- Rauschenberg Emergency Grants - The fund provides one-time cash grants of up to $5,000 to cover expenses caused by one-time, unexpected medical emergencies.
- WomenArts - Emergency Funds List
- Unemployment Insurance + Medicaid/HUSKY Health Services - expanded benefit details here
- United Way - COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund. They will help with bills, rent, and food. Call 1-866-211-9966 and provide a zip code to get a list of local agencies that provide assistance.
- Fundraising in Difficult Times - Templates from Fractured Atlas to help you solicit support during the COVID-19 crisis and other difficult moments.
LOANS
Connecticut Small Business Administration Loans
- Governor Ned Lamont recently announced that small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut that have been negatively impacted by the global COVID-19 outbreak are now eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
“Small businesses and nonprofits of all types are experiencing large, sudden drops in revenue while trying to do the right thing and give employees the flexibility they need to take care of themselves and their families,” Governor Lamont said. “One of our priorities is to help them as much we can. SBA disaster relief loans are an important tool that can help Connecticut businesses.”
- Loans to businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations
- These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
- SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
Learn more about the program and apply for financial assistance at www.sba.gov/disaster or call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955. You can also check out this webinar from the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.
FUNDER UPDATES
City of New Haven
- Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grant
Grant recipients with projects and activities scheduled through April 30, 2020 the following options:- Cancelation
Recipients can submit a request for funding for items expended towards the grant to date. The request should include a breakdown of the expenses - Postponement
Recipients can submit a written request for an extension for later in the granting cycle (through December 20, 2020)
If your organization has been considering alternative solutions to grant funded programming (i.e. offering virtual or online participation; or another a different project), please submit a written request for a change in project scope.
Please contact Kim Futrell to keep the City informed about disruptions, cancellations, postponements, and impact of COVID-19 on your grant.
- Cancelation
Connecticut Humanities
- For grantees with projects that experience delays or cancellations due to COVID-19, Connecticut Humanities will provide grant extensions or cancellations without penalty or prejudice for any future funding requests.Please direct any programming questions or feedback to Connecticut Humanities staff; they’re here to help.
Connecticut Office of the Arts
- If you have a grant to support a program or event taking place during this time of increased concern, be aware that Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) will allow you to postpone and reschedule and will, if necessary, extend the grant period. Be sure to contact the manager of the grant program via email to alert them to the charge:
- Arts Project and ARTE-accesible grants: Tamara Dimitri
- Arts Learning grants: Bonnie Koba
- Regional Initiative grants: Rhonda Olisky
National Endowment for the Arts
- F.A.Q.s for Applicants and Awardees in Response to COVID-19
- Important contact information
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Partnership Division (202) 682-5097
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Challenge America and Arts Engagement in American Communities Specialist, Mary Sellers: sellersm@arts.gov
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Challenge America and Local Arts Agencies Specialist, Lara Holman Garritano: garritanol@arts.gov
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Director of State, Regional and Local Partnerships, Michael Orlove: orlovem@arts.gov
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Assistant Grants Management Specialist Partnership Division Alexzandra Fogle: foglea@arts.gov
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Division Coordinator, Partnership, Jennifer Lindow Eskin: eskinj@arts.gov
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States and Regional Specialist, Andi, Mathis: mathisa@arts.gov
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Have you heard about other funding opportunities that address COVID-19?
We’d love to list them!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Americans for the Arts - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center
- National Endowment for the Arts - COVID-19 Resources for Artist and Arts Organizations
- Arts Ready - artsready.org
- National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response - ncaper.org
- Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) - VLA is ready to provide free support with a volunteer “emergency response panel” of about 5 law firms ready and willing to advise artists and arts orgs on contracts, insurance, and labor and employment issues that might come up due to the coronavirus outbreak. They have also put together an article about covid-19 and “force majeure” clauses for dealing with canceled gigs. Artists can contact their office at VLA@artsandbusinesscouncil.org.
From: https://www.icareifyoulisten.com/2020/03/covid-19-emergency-funding-artist-resources/
EMERGENCY FUNDING
American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund
The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund provides support and temporary financial assistance to members who are in need. AGMA contracts with The Actors Fund to administer this program nationally as well as to provide comprehensive social services.
NEW Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
Arts Administrators of Color Network has set up the Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund, which folks can donate directly to in support of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists AND administrators (consultants, facilitators, box office staff, seasonal/temporary employees, etc.) who have been financially impacted due to COVID-19.
This fund is intended to help those pursuing careers as artists (of any type). If you fit this description and your income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis – and you are in need of short-term, immediate financial assistance – Artist Relief Tree would like to help. They will disburse funds in the amount of $250 per person, on a first-come-first-served basis. They will also be accepting donations indefinitely.
Update (as of 3/19/20): Due to receiving over 3500 requests for funds, at the moment new requests are not being accepted until we can secure more funding. If you would like to be informed if and when the opportunity becomes available again, please click here to join the waitlist.
The Boston Artist Relief Fund will award grants of $500 and $1000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by COVID-19.
In light of the anticipated volume of requests for assistance, for the time-being, CERF+’s emergency relief grants related to COVID-19 will focus on those infected with the virus that require intensive medical care.
NEW Chicago Musicians Emergency Relief Fund
This fund is being established to create some form of financial relief for members in good standing of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208. Specifically, the fund will supply financial relief to those members affected by the loss of work and wages as of 03/12/20 – 05/17/20 due to the global pandemic.
If your livelihood is being impacted by the Coronavirus crisis and you need support, post requests here.
Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund
Provides monetary support to musicians who have lost income due to a canceled gig as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
Emergency Grants provide urgent funding for visual and performing artists who have sudden, unanticipated opportunities to present their work to the public when there is insufficient time to seek other sources of funding; or incur unexpected or unbudgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates.
NEW GoFundMe: Columbus Artists Relief Fund COVID-19/Coronavirus
Raising money to help offset the financial impact felt by Columbus artists through lost work.
GoFundMe: Funds to Support Performers Affected by Covid-19
This fundraiser aims to provide funds for performers in Philadelphia, New York City, and New Jersey who will not be able to make ends meet without these opportunities.
Update (as of 3/16/20): This fund will be combining with Equal Sound to maximize efforts nationwide and increase donation reach, with the added benefit of legitimacy and transparency.
NEW GoFundMe: Seattle Artist Relief Fund Amid COVID-19
This fund is aimed at helping those in the greater Seattle arts community who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19.
NEW Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Emergency Fund for Artists
As of March 17, we will be temporarily modifying our Emergency Fund for Artists (EFFA) application guidelines to address the current needs of artists in the Greater Pittsburgh area. The Emergency Fund for Artists will now provide up to $500 in assistance to artists experiencing loss of income due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund
The Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund is a non-profit 501©(3) administered by the Musicians’ Assistance Program (MAP). A New York State licensed social worker provides confidential social services to members and their families. It is funded by the Musicians’ ERF and administered by the Actors Fund.
Music industry professionals may apply for basic living assistance (rent or mortgage). Initial grant requests can be made up to $1000 to compensate for cancelled work that was scheduled and lost.
Provides financial assistance to musicians and their families in times of need, crisis or transition.
Update (3/18/20): Musicians – thank you for your patience during this time, as we figure out our next steps forward to address the needs of performers, educators, and composers. Soon, we will be launching a CV19 Emergency Aid Grant Program to give eligible applicants modest grants up to $200. We expect very high numbers of applicants, so we must limit amounts in order to spread available resources. Please check this page in the coming days to apply. Our application will remain closed until the new CV19 form is published.
This fund has been created to support creative individuals who have been financially impacted by gig cancellations due to the outbreak of COVID-19. 100% of donated funds will go directly to artists and arts presenters in North Carolina.
NEW New Orleans Business Alliance Relief Fund
Grants up to $1000 for New Orleans-based musicians.
NEW PGH Artists Emergency Fund
This fundraiser is hosted by a group of artists and community organizers based in Pittsburgh responding to the urgent need of our friends and community who have been put in compromised positions due to the cancellation of entire tours, all of their gigs, and jobs in the nightlife and events industry.
Provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies. The grants are available to visual and media artists and choreographers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories.
Springboard for the Arts Personal Emergency Relief Fund
The Personal Emergency Relief Fund helps artists in Minnesota recover from personal emergencies by helping pay an unanticipated, emergency expense. They have expanded the guidelines to include lost income due to the cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (i.e. commissions, performances, contracts) due to COVID-19 precautionary measures. Artists can request up to $500 to compensate for canceled work that was scheduled and lost. At this time the fund is not available to compensate for future gigs or potential loss of business. Springboard for the Arts has committed an additional $10,000 from their budget to support this effort and is committed to working with partners to increase the fund based on demand.
Sweet Relief has created this donor-directed fund with a limited amount of funds available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus. Funds raised will go towards medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food and other vital living expenses to those impacted due to sickness or loss of work.
The Complete List of Emergency Funds/Grant for Visual Artists
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
American Composers Forum’s Response to COVID-19
Alliance of Artists Communities Emergency Relief Programs
In the event of an emergency, the Alliance can offer support for artists by connecting them with our diverse network of residency programs across the country. By providing the time, space, and support that residencies offer, artists can focus on their work, reflect, and renew their creative practice during an especially challenging time.
Boston-area Artist/Student Relief Survey
This survey aims to find people in the Boston metro area (individuals and households) who are willing to feed, house, and/or offer other support.
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources
This list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. This includes, but is not limited to, actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers & playwrights, photographers, etc.
Financial Resources for Musicians During The Coronavirus Outbreak
If you are part of the gig economy and have suddenly found yourself stranded without a paycheck, here are some potential outlets that can help you with earning income during this time.
Iron Tongue of Midnight: Something You Can Do
New York Foundation for the Arts List of Emergency Grants
WomenArts does not make any emergency cash grants but is providing this list to help you find other organizations where you can apply for funding.