The recent devastation of COVID-19 has rippled through the country music community and has some of our country family, like many other Americans, finding themselves in financial need right now.
Whether you are in front of the mic, crafting the lyrics, driving the crew, planning the tours, or assisting behind-the-scenes, we hope to offer support in this unprecedented situation.
ACM Lifting Lives remains dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and has created the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund to continue this mission in wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Started in 1951 with a $10,000 personal contribution from AFM President James C. Petrillo in memory of his late son, the Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund for Disabled Musicians is a charitable trust fund that provides financial aid to disabled members of the American Federation of Musicians. This fund is not intended to replace health insurance or provide general loans, but does supply modest amounts of assistance to qualified applicants on an emergency basis.
Any AGMA member in good standing is invited to apply for financial assistance under the AGMA Relief Fund, which has temporarily doubled the amount of assistance available to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before you begin the online application, make sure you have:
Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource; and co-launch the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, designed by Americans for the Arts, to better identify and address the needs of artists.
To be eligible for a relief grant, applicants must be:
The Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is intended to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is for those who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). If you fit this description and you are in need of short-term, immediate financial assistance – we would like to help...this is a ONE-TIME micro grant of $200.
As part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACA has established The Artists Emergency Relief Fund to help artists in Greater Austin maintain their personal and financial stability in these uncertain times.
Artists may apply for up to $500 to replace verifiable lost income due to the cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (i.e. commissions, performances, contracts) due to COVID-19 precautionary measures. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and are subject to approval and available funds. Priority will be given to ACA members, and to applicants facing food or housing insecurity. ACA is reviewing applications daily, so that funds can be in artists’ hands as quickly as possible.
The Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20200423-040 on April 23, 2020 to provide $1 million for the Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program. This grant will provide direct support to for-profit live music venues, performance spaces, art galleries, arts-focused nonprofits and individual artists facing temporary or permanent displacement.
Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 toward unpaid commercial rent and to defray rent hikes, property acquisition costs, or other space-related needs such as facility improvements or displacement-related expenditures.
A Grant Review Committee comprised of public and private sector leaders in the arts, banking, and real estate sectors will evaluate the applications and make final recommendations for awards. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, and priority will be given to organizations or individuals confronting immediate and critical needs. Organizations serving historically underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.
Application Opens: August 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Application Closes: August 28, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20200604-040 on June 4, 2020 to designate $3.5 million for the Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant. Austin’s individual creatives and industry support staff that have experienced an economic hardship due to COVID-19 may apply for a $2,000 grant to offset expenses like rent, bills, and groceries.
The grant program is designed to provide immediate and equitably-focused grants to individual creatives and industry support staff in Austin. For purposes of the Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant, “creative worker” will be defined as an individual whose current or primary occupation is or has been within arts, music, film, fashion, museums, preservation, and more. This includes both practicing artists and associated personnel within the creative industries.
For technical support and application status, contact Austin Better Business Bureau by email CreativeWorkerGrant@austin.bbb.orgor by phone 512-318-2683.
For eligibility questions and assistance completing an application, contact Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts by email CreativeWorkerGrant@talarts.orgor by phone 512-588-9971.
The Austin City Council approved Ordinance No. 20200423-067 on April 23, 2020 to designate $1.5 million for the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund. These grants are for Austin’s most vulnerable musicians experiencing economic hardship. Eligible local musicians must be able to demonstrate income loss due to the COVID-19 global pandemic to apply for a $1,000 grant.
The Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund application will be live and accepting eligible submissions through the MusiCares Foundation on a first-come first-served basis starting on Monday, June 8th, 10:00 a.m. CST.
The Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant will provide eligible Austin nonprofits with grants up to $20,000 for expenses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applicants may apply for one-time grants up to $20,000 toward reimbursement of eligible expenses including rent, payroll, and other economic needs. The Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant application will be live and accepting eligible submissions through the Austin Better Business Bureau.
Eligible non-profits must be able to demonstrate an economic loss associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic and must be headquartered in a City of Austin Council district.
Applicants may apply for up to $40,000 toward their business needs including rent, payroll and other economic needs.
Eligible local businesses must be able to demonstrate an economic loss associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic and must be headquartered in a City of Austin Council district.
In August, the City of Austin and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) will launch the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants Assistance Program (RENT). The program is for income-eligible Austin renters that live within the city limits and are financially impacted by COVID-19. The program will provide direct rent relief of $12.9 million between August 2020 and January 2021. Renters who think they may be eligible must apply through the RENT online application portal (open in August). Applicants will be randomly selected and qualified per program requirements and funding availability. Full monthly rent payment will be made directly to landlords on behalf of the tenant.
We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Banding Together ATX has secured philanthropic donations to support workers in the music, hospitality, and service industry businesses who have suffered economically as a result of event cancelations and business closures. The funds and subsequent distribution are being managed by the Red River Cultural District (RRCD), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. While our organization focuses primarily on efforts related to the Red River District of downtown Austin, affected individuals across the city are encouraged to apply.
Based on the current and most urgent needs of our community, this round of funding will be disbursed via grocery gift cards of denominations up to $100. We plan to be responsive to the needs of our community and with the situation evolving at such a rapid pace, future funds may be dispersed with different criteria or via different mechanisms.
The Blues Foundation established the HART Fund (Handy Artists Relief Trust) 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.
A group of Folk and Traditional Art organizations, with the support of Texas Folklife, will award grants of $500 to community-based folk and traditional artists impacted by COVID-19. Grants are a one-time award made to individuals to assist with their financial well-being. The panel will be intentional in the distribution of awards, striving to reach those most in need.
The fund will offer grants to Houston-area artists and arts managers to supplement lost wages as a result of COVID-19. Grants will help cover basic need expenses such as food, rent, and medical needs. After we help our arts community with the most basic needs, we will turn to help nonprofits to sustain their work.
Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Council announced a new relief program for musicians and music venues that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Houston's Musicians and Music Venues Economic Relief Program is being funded with $3 million of the City's allocated CARES Act 2020 funds.
Musicians will be eligible for up to $5,000 in relief funding, and music venues will be eligible for up to $50,000 or $100,000, depending on budget size.
"As a city, we have provided rental assistance and supported small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, we will focus on Houston's musicians. Music venues, and iconic performance spaces are a big part of our city and an important segment of Houston's cultural life," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "They were delivering great live music before the pandemic, and we want them to be able to do that again, as soon as they can, and by being safe."
The $20 million City of Houston rental assistance program is funded with $15 million from the CARES Act and $5 million in private donations. Mayor Turner thanks the Houston Endowment ($2 million), United Way/Greater Houston Community Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund ($1 million), McNair Foundation ($1 million) and the Kinder Foundation ($1 million) for their generous support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tenant applications are still being accepted.
The Houston Music Foundation was created as a crisis relief fund, created to help Houston's musicians in times of need. "Our goal is to raise funds for local musicians residing in Harris County during times of crisis, and our goal is to get donations into the hands of those in need as quickly as possible," they wrote during their launch on Tuesday, April 7th.
Qualified applicants are eligible for a one-time grant of $500.
Creating Our Future is a group of artists and arts advocates in Dallas who are raising money to support artists and freelancers who are taking financial hits as a result of closures and lost income from COVID-19. The GoFundMe campaign has set a goal of $5,000 to raise funds to provide emergency and preventative resources to those at financial risk. The donated grant funding is aimed at helping with financial assistance for low-income, BIPOC, trans/GNC/NB/Queer artists.
In response to the pandemic, Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses around the world, including music and live events businesses. Facebook also has a new Business Resource Hub to help small businesses prepare for and manage disruptions like COVID-19.
Hear Fort Worth and Film Fort Worth with assistance from United Way of Tarrant County announced expansion of a creative industry relief fund to help support musicians, visual artists and filmmakers who have lost work due to COVID-19.
The initiative spearheaded by Hear Fort Worth is an extension of Fort Worth musician Rachel Gollay’s Artist & Service Worker Relief Fund, which raised $10,000 and provided support of $200 per qualified applicant.
Visit Fort Worth, parent organization of Hear Fort Worth and Film Fort Worth, will manage the application process and United Way of Tarrant County will spearhead collection of donations and fund distribution.
United Way of Tarrant County will host the donation and application page on their website https://www.unitedwaytarrant.org/artistsrelieffund/. The goal is to reach a total of $20,000, however, the fund will stay open as long as donations continue to come in. Gifts to the fund will be 100% tax-deductible, with tax acknowledgements provided by United Way of Tarrant County for any individual donations of $250 or more.The fund is open to Fort Worth musicians, filmmakers and visual artists. Qualified applicants will be eligible for a one-time grant of $300.
The Purpose of the Gospel Music Trust Fund is to give financial assistance in the nature of gifts in time of need, in the event of an emergency or major catastrophe, 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. An individual requesting assistance within the purpose of the Trust Fund, for themselves or their children must have ten years of full-time employment within the Gospel/Christian music field.
Requests for financial assistance should be made in writing to the Gospel Music Trust Fund. All requests are reviewed and considered by the GMTF trustees and are kept in the strictest of confidence. Financial assistance meeting the Trust Fund guidelines and approved by the trustees is paid directly to the applicant’s creditors.
If you are or have been a professional in the business of bluegrass music (or who have been actively involved at some point in their career) and are in a time of emergency need, apply to the Bluegrass Trust Fund for financial grants and loans, which are generally between $500 and $5,000.
This fund offers financial support, housing assistance and pro bono medical care for musicians who have made a living playing blues, jazz and roots music.
Live music inspires millions around the world, but the concerts we all enjoy wouldn’t be possible without the countless crew members working behind the scenes. As COVID-19 puts concerts on pause, we want to extend a helping hand to the touring and venue crews who depend on shows to make a living.
Crew Nation was created to do just that.
Crew members are the backbone of the live music industry, and we hope you’ll join us in supporting them through this temporary intermission until we can once again unite millions around the world through the power of live music. Crew Nation is powered by Music Forward Foundation, a charitable 501c3 organization, that will be administering the fund.
Live Nation has committed $10 million to Crew Nation – contributing an initial $5 million to the fund, then matching the next $5 million given by artists, fans and employees dollar for dollar.
Grants in the form of forgivable loans of up to $50,000 will be available to local small business owners through the Mesquite Emergency Business Assistance Program, which opens July 13. Up to $3.5 million will be available to those who are able to demonstrate a 25 percent loss in income since March 1 due to COVID-19.
Mesquite is joining forces with Dallas County to offer the grants, which means business owners will only have to fill out one application to be eligible for two programs. Applicants will first be entered into a lottery selection process for Dallas County grants. If a Mesquite business is not successful in getting a Dallas County grant, the business will automatically be entered into a lottery for a City of Mesquite grant.
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.
With many of its retailers, restaurants, bars, breweries, entertainment venues and events closed or operating at reduced capacity, Fort Worth's Near Southside creatives and service industry employees are experiencing significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. Near Southside is now offering $250 relief grants to members of its community who need it most.
The fund has been made possible by a $15,000 matching funds lead gift from Marilyn and Marty Englander, owners of Kent & Co, and relies on community contributions to serve applicants. Since opening one week ago, Southside C.A.R.E.S. has received broad support from the Near Southside community. The Englander's spirit of giving has been carried forward by additional matching-funds gifts from Amanda and Eric Behn of Vandervoorts Dairy, First Financial Bank, and the DuBose Family Foundation.
You can double your community impact by making a financial gift to support those in need.
The relief grants are intended for any person currently, or previously immediately prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, employed in Fort Worth's Near Southside who is facing a financial hardship in these professions: culinary, art, retail, entertainment, service and other.
To make a financial donation to the fund, donate via wegetbytogether.com, or use the PayPal app on your phone and direct payment to @southsidecares.
Newport Festivals Foundation has established the Newport Festivals Musician Relief Fund to provide financial relief to musicians in our Folk & Jazz communities experiencing a loss of income as a result of COVID-19 through rapid micro and full grants. Our focus and priority will be on artists who have played the Newport Jazz or Folk Festivals and those in our Rhode Island community. All other applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
SAG-AFTRA members who are in an emergency financial crisis related to COVID-19 may request assistance to cover basic expenses like rent, mortgage, utilities and medical bills. To apply to the fund, members must have paid their dues through October 2019.
The Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project has been created to amplify the efforts of organizations that focus on helping those most in need, beginning with those listed below. Spotify is making a donation to these organizations and will match donations made via this page dollar for dollar up to a collective total of $10 million.
The Sun Radio Foundation has pledged an initial funding of $20,000 towards the “Sun Radio Recharge” COVID-19 relief program, giving Central Texas Musicians and Community Radio Stations nationwide the opportunity to apply for grants towards paying their electricity bills.
The 501C3 Not for Profit Sun Radio Foundation is now accepting applications for:
Sun Radio Recharge for Central Texas Musicians: The foundation has allocated initial funding in the amount of $10,000 for one-time gifts of up to $200 each for Local Austin and San Antonio area musicians and crew members who are struggling to pay electric bills.
Sun Radio Recharge for Community and Non-Commercial Radio Stations Nationwide: The foundation has allocated another $10,000 for one-time gifts of up to $250 each for Community Radio Stations throughout the country currently void of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding, or tax-payer subsidies.
The world has been shocked by the devastating effects of COVID-19. We are aware of the enormous medical and financial burden that COVID-19 is having on the music community and we are actively taking steps to provide assistance where it’s needed most. Due to massive cancellations, artists are struggling to find the means to make ends meet during these unprecedented times.
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On March 17, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott requested the Economic Injury Disaster Declaration for all Texas counties through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Today, Governor Abbott announced that the SBA has now granted Texas’ Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance declaration, making loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Next Steps: Small businesses who believe they may be eligible for an SBA EIDL should visit the SBA’s website where they can directly apply for assistance. The online application is the fastest method to receive a decision about loan eligibility.
For additional information on Texas business-related COVID-19 resources, including a list of required documentation for the SBA Loan process, visit gov.texas.gov/business/page/coronavirus.
We know this is a difficult time for all Texans. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if we can provide any additional information.
Stay safe, keep healthy and continue to check in with us as we provide the latest updates and resources.
The overriding message of this time in history is that we are all in this together," said Governor Abbott. "From people responsibly remaining at home to protect themselves and their communities to the small businesses adapting to serve them, Texans are showing their willingness to serve the greater good and that’s why we’ll overcome this together. That’s what Texans do. We are not only Texas Strong, we are #TexasBizStrong.
The SBA recommends prospective applicants Start Now to assemble their documents required for the loan app, thus getting a head start on “step two” in the loan review process.
Below is the list of ten documents prospect applicants should assemble and scan to prepare for uploading them into the EIDL website, in addition to forms required by SBA.
All forms and further details are available on the SBA Disaster Loan website sba.gov/disaster. Click on the Coronavirus link at the top of the page.
If you are or have been a professional in the business of bluegrass music (or who have been actively involved at some point in their career) and are in a time of emergency need, apply to the Bluegrass Trust Fund for financial grants and loans, which are generally between $500 and $5,000.
If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) encourages you to apply for benefits by utilizing the online claim portal, or by calling the Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
TWC may be experiencing increased call volumes and hold times on Tele-Center phone lines. You are encouraged to use the online claim portal, Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS), to handle your claim needs quickly. UBS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also sign up for electronic correspondence so you can receive TWC communications online as soon as possible.
TWC will investigate why you lost your job and mail a decision explaining whether you are eligible for unemployment benefits.
For additional information and resources for job seekers, visit TWC's webpage: twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-job-seekers.
If you need assistance finding food, paying for housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services, visit 211.org or dial 211 to speak to someone who can help. Run by the United Way.
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