2025 DreamCreative Emergency Grants, Loans, and Resources Round-Up

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)

CERF+ offers resources to artists working in craft disciplines including emergency relief grants, preparedness (Get Ready) grants, and access to preparedness resources. One of the eligibility requirements for the Emergency Relief Grant is having had a recent career-threatening emergency such as serious illness, injury, or significant loss from theft, fire, flood, or other disaster.

Learn more and apply.

Etsy Disaster Relief Fund

Etsy sellers will be eligible for a $2,500 grant if they experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the past year, have been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their Etsy account is in good standing. 

Learn more and apply.

American Society of Journalists & Authors (ASJA)

The mission of the Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (WEAF) is to help established freelance writers who, because of advanced age, illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis, are unable to work. A writer need not be a member of ASJA to qualify for a grant. However, applicants must establish a record of past professional freelance nonfiction writing over a sustained period of years, which means qualifications generally similar to those of ASJA members. WEAF does not award grants to beginning freelancers seeking funding for writing projects, nor does it fund works-in-progress of any kind.

Learn more and apply.

Authors League Fund

The Authors League Fund helps professional writers and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune. The Fund gives open-ended, interest-free, no-strings-attached loans. These loans are not grants or scholarships meant to subsidize personal writing projects.

Learn more and apply.

The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation

The Binc Foundation financial assistance program helps booksellers with specific unforeseen emergency financial needs. The Foundation assesses each request to determine a course of action to provide relief to the bookseller. All grants are paid to third-party vendors and not directly to the bookseller.

Learn more and apply.

Carnegie Fund for Authors 

The Carnegie Fund offers grants-in-aid to qualified commercially published book authors who have suffered financial emergency because of illness or injury (their own or that of spouses or dependent children) or who have suffered some equivalent misfortune. Grant amounts vary according to need.

Learn more and apply.

Pacific Northwest: Clayton Memorial Medical Fund 

The fund helps professional science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery writers living in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska deal with the financial burden of medical expenses. The fund generally follows the standards of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) for Active or Associate membership in determining professional status.

Learn more and apply.

The Direct Aid Fund by Lampblack

Every week, Lampblack will give up to $100 to a Black poet, storyteller, or essayist in need.

Learn more and apply.

Human Rights Hellman/Hammett Grants

Human Rights Watch administers the Hellman/Hammett grant program for writers who have been victims of political persecution and are in financial need. Hellman/Hammett grants typically range from $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000. The grants are awarded annually after the nominations have been reviewed by a selection committee composed of authors, editors, and journalists who have a longstanding interest in free expression issues. Nomination forms (available online) should be sent to the New York office of Human Rights Watch by Feb. 15 annually.

Learn more and apply.

The PEN Writers Fund

This emergency fund for professionally published or produced writers with serious financial difficulties provides grants up to $2,000. Writers do not have to be a Member of PEN American Center to receive a grant.

Learn more and apply.

The PEN Fund for Writers and Editors with HIV/AIDS

The PEN Fund for Writers and Editors with HIV/AIDS, administered under the PEN Writers’ Emergency Fund, gives grants of up to $2,000 to professional writers and editors who face serious financial difficulties because of HIV or AIDS-related illness.

Learn more and apply.

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) Emergency Medical and Legal Fund

The SFWA Emergency Medical Fund offers interest-free loans to members facing unexpected medical expenses. Active SFWA members are eligible to request assistance from the Fund.

Learn more and apply.

California: Ad Relief of Greater Los Angeles

Ad Relief of Greater Los Angeles (formerly the Advertising Industry Emergency Fund) provides aid in times of need to members of the Southern California advertising and promotions industry and their families. Persons eligible for aid must have been employed for a continuous period of one year by an advertising or promotions entity within the Greater Los Angeles area.

Learn more and apply.

Broadcasters’ Foundation of America 

The Broadcasters Foundation of America provides Emergency & Disaster Grants to radio and television broadcasters who find themselves in acute financial need and do not have insurance to cover their losses after a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, tornado or wildfire, extreme flooding, house fire, or other serious misfortune.

Learn more and apply.

Directors Guild Foundation (DGF) 

The DGF provides confidential, no-interest loans to Guild members in good standing who are in need of emergency financial assistance. This program allows members to maintain their privacy by ensuring their anonymity during a difficult time.

Learn more and apply.

Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF)

MPTF offers a number of services for members of the entertainment industry and their families, including crisis support with social workers, financial assistance, low-cost basic medical services, health insurance premium support, senior housing and support, daycare, and referrals to other service providers.

Learn more and apply.

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Foundation

The SAG Foundation provides assistance to eligible SAG-AFTRA members during times of crisis and personal need, offering emergency financial aid, as well as grants for health coverage in cases of catastrophic injury or illness or need for COBRA coverage.

Learn more and apply.

Midwest and East Coast: Screen Actors Guild Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund (MPPWF)

The MPPWF serves SAG-AFTRA members in the New York region and all locals east of Omaha, Nebraska. The MPPWF is designed to assist eligible members who are struggling with a financial, personal, or medical crisis. Financial assistance is available for rent, utilities, mental health, and medical care, as well as other basic living expenses.

Learn more and apply.

Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund (MPPAF)

The MPPAF serves members of the motion picture entertainment industry (exhibition, distribution, and trade services) who are encountering an illness, injury, or life-changing event. Services include temporary financial aid for emergency needs, monthly stipends for frail or disabled low-income senior veterans, and social service counseling.

Learn more and apply.

American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund

The Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund provides a modest grant to temporarily or permanently disabled musicians who are members of the AFM. 

Learn more and apply.

American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund 

The AGMA Relief Fund provides support and temporary financial assistance to members who are in need. Financial assistance is available for rent, utilities, mental health and medical care, as well as other basic living expenses. Grants are made case-by-case, based on need. 

Learn more and apply.

Blues Foundation Handy Artists Relief Trust (HART) Fund 

The Blues Foundation has established the HART Fund for blues musicians and their families in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns. The Fund provides for acute, chronic, and preventive medical and dental care, as well as funeral and burial expenses.

Learn more and apply.

California: California Jazz Foundation

To request a Financial Assistance Application or an Emergency Medical Referral, applicant must show at least five years of primary employment as a jazz artist and California residency. 

Learn more and apply.

Gospel Music Trust Fund 

The Gospel Music Trust Fund provides financial assistance in the event of an emergency, major catastrophe, or terminal or severe illness without efficient insurance to individuals who derive or have derived a substantial portion of their income from the field of gospel music.

Learn more and apply.

Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund

The Opry Trust Fund provides financial assistance in time of extraordinary need, emergency or catastrophe to individuals who are or have been employed full-time in a facet of the country music industry (i.e. performer, songwriter, publisher, radio, session musician, etc.). Examples of distribution needs include: medical bills, living expenses, rent or mortgage, and utilities.

Learn more and apply.

Pennsylvania: Jazz Bridge 

Jazz Bridge assists jazz and blues musicians living in the Greater Philadelphia Metro area who face financial, health, housing, and similar crises. The organization also supports musicians by providing paid performance opportunities through live neighborhood concerts and special event presentations.

Learn more and apply.

Jazz Foundation of America 

The Housing and Emergency Assistance program provides jazz and blues artists with an experienced social worker to assess his/her situation and provide rapid assistance including financial support, legal services, housing counseling, and more.

Learn more and apply.

Music Maker Relief Foundation 

The Musical Sustenance Program offers emergency funds, monthly living stipends, and assistance in obtaining social services to artists working in the Southern musical tradition, focusing on those 55 years or older with an annual income of $18,000 or less.

Learn more and apply.

MusiCares Foundation

MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical, and personal emergencies, including addiction resources.

Learn more and apply.

Musicians Foundation

The Musicians Foundation assists professional musicians with at least five years in the industry with grants for medical and allied living expenses in the case of emergency situations. 

Learn more and apply.

Pinetop Assistance League (PAL) for Elder Musicians 

Provides financial assistance to elderly musicians for medical and living expenses. The Pinetop Assistance League does not disburse funds direct to individuals. Payments are made by check to the creditor on your behalf.

Learn more and apply.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund 

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems. Sweet Relief offers assistance to all who reach out. While financial grants may not be available to every applicant, other resources including information, counseling, and financial services are additional options each artist may take advantage of. 

Learn more and apply.

American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) 

AGVA offers its current and previous members emergency aid through the AGVA Sick & Relief Fund.

Learn more and apply.

Dancers’ Resource

The Dancers’ Resource was created in response to the unique situation dancers face due to the physically demanding nature of their work, coupled with the significant financial challenges of earning a living in dance. Support includes counseling, healthcare referrals, educational seminars, emergency financial assistance, and more. 

Learn more and apply.

Dramatists Guild Fund 

The Dramatists Guild Fund awards one-time emergency grants to individual playwrights, lyricists, and composers in need of temporary financial assistance due to unexpected illness or extreme hardship. To be considered for personal grant, you must have had a play or musical either presented for a paying audience anywhere in the United States or Canada, and/or published by a legitimate publishing/licensing company; or be an active member of The Dramatists Guild. 

Learn more and apply.

Entertainment Community Fund

The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) assists those working in theater, film, television, radio, music, dance, opera, and circus throughout the U.S. The Fund offers a broad spectrum of programs including emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, secondary career development, senior care, and more. Programs are administered through offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and eligibility varies by program.

Learn more and apply.

Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants

One-time grants of up to $3,000 to professional dancers facing dire financial emergencies, due to the loss or lack of recent/current live performance work because of circumstances outside of their control. Grants are for up to three months of essential expenses; you must demonstrate an urgent and critical need for emergency support in order to apply.

Learn more and apply.

Renaissance Entertainers, Services, and Crafters United (RESCU) Foundation

The RESCU Foundation was established to promote and maintain the health and medical well-being of the participants of Renaissance Fairs, historical performances, and other artistic events through several programs including financial assistance and counseling for emergency medical needs.

Learn more and apply.

California: Theatre Bay Area

The Mary Mason Lemonade Fund is a confidential resource for San Francisco Bay Area theater practitioners with terminal or life-threatening illnesses who are in need of supplemental financial assistance to improve the quality of their lives as they deal with medical conditions.

Learn more and apply.

Foundation for Contemporary Arts 

Emergency grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 are available by application to U.S.-based artists in all disciplines who have sudden opportunities or unexpected expenses to present work to the public. Artists should apply six to eight weeks before funding is needed for last-minute support.

Learn more and apply.

Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants 

One-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to artists in financial need who are creating in the visual arts, film/video/electronic/digital arts (not performers), and choreography, and who live in the U.S., District of Columbia, U.S. Territories or tribal nations. Cycles continue bimonthly through at least June 2025.

Learn more and apply.

Pennsylvania: Erie Arts & Culture Emergency Financial Assistance Fund 

Creative and cultural professionals of all disciplines who have experienced a disruption to their income stream can request up to $500 in assistance from Erie Arts & Culture. Awarded funds can be used to assist with basic living expenses, such as housing, utilities, or groceries. The objective is to provide financial support in moments of crisis to those in the sector who are experiencing financial hardship.

Learn more and apply.

Colorado: Martha Kate Thomas Fund for Artists

Grants from this fund will be awarded to artists who live or work in Boulder County from any of these priority groups: artists with unforeseen needs due to special circumstances, Artists of Color, artists with disabilities, Indigenous artists, and/or new generation artists (18 – 30 years old). Grant awards will not exceed $3,000. Art forms can include but are not limited to: Music, Theater, Dance, Film/Video, Literature, and Visual Art.

Learn more and apply.

Florida: Pinellas Arts Community Relief Fund 

The Pinellas Arts Community Relief Fund provides rapid response awards to meet urgent needs and provide immediate financial relief to Pinellas County artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses who have been impacted by an emergency situation or disaster.

Learn more and apply.

Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation, Inc.

The Emergency Assistance Program provides interim financial assistance to qualified artists whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. An applicant must be able to demonstrate a minimum involvement of 10 years in a mature phase of his or her work in the disciplines of painting, sculpture or printmaking. The maximum amount of this grant is $15,000; an award of $5,000 is typical.

Learn more and apply.

Artists’ Fellowship, Inc.

The Artists’ Fellowship, Inc. is a private, charitable foundation that assists professional fine artists (painters, graphic artists, sculptors) and their families in times of emergency, disability, or bereavement.

Learn more and apply.