COVID-19 RELIEF RESOURCES
A2IM
A2IM is surveying indie music companies about how the coronavirus pandemic is disrupting their businesses. The results will inform the organization’s discussions with the New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, as well as its investigations of federal assistance programs.
Q&A Regarding Government Assistance for Artists
This page is intended to help impacted workers navigate and access various sources of government support, including support that was included in the CARES Act.
Backline: Come Together COVID-19 Crisis Initiative
Backline has launched the Come Together COVID-19 Crisis Initiative, providing virtual mental health & wellness support to the music industry through bi-weekly support groups, yoga, meditation, and breathwork sessions.
HOB Music Forward: Crew Nation
In partnership with Live Nation, Music Forward Foundation, a charitable 501c3 organization, has established Crew Nation— a global relief fund for live music crews. Music Forward Foundation will be administering the fund, and managing the application, review, and award process.
The Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund
To provide direct financial assistance to musicians who have lost work as a result of corona related event cancellations.
AGMA Relief Fund
Any AGMA member in good standing is entitled and encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the AGMA Relief Fund.
Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
Supporting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) individual artists and arts administrators of color who are financially impacted by COVID-19.
The Jazz Foundation’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund
https://jazzfoundation.org/musicians-emergency-fund/
Provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and direct financial support in times of crisis
Boston Artist Relief Fund
The Boston Artist Relief Fund will award grants of $500 and $1000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices ad incomes are being adversely impacted by COVID-19.
CERF +
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.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
Provides urgent funding for visual and performing artists who have sudden, anticipated opportunities to present their work to the public when there is insufficient time to see other sources of funding; or incur unexpected or un-budgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates.
Music Gateway
With a platform providing online international collaboration, Sync opportunities and Music Promotion, Music Gateway are offering a free account for 6 months. We hope that this will encourage collaboration, connection and creativity by combatting the logistical difficulties around collaborating during the COVID-19 lockdown.
To access your free account, simply email [email protected] and quote code ‘COLLAB2020’.
Her Hustle
Her Hustle have created an online noticeboard for female founders or freelancers whose work is being impacted by COVID-19. The aim is for these creatives to tell people what help they need.
The International Bluegrass Music Association
If you are or have been a professional in the business of bluegrass and are in a time of emergency need, you may apply here for assistance from the Bluegrass Trust Fund.
Sound Royalties
Sound Royalties has set up a $20 million fund for music creators impacted by coronavirus to receive no-fee advances on their royalties. Applications are being accepted through April 16, 2020.
HealthWell Foundation: COVID-19 Ancillary Fund
HealthWell Foundation’s COVID-19 Ancillary Fund provides individuals assistance with costs associated with delivered food, medication, diagnostics, transportation, and telehealth as a result of COVID-19 risk or incidence. Qualifying individuals include those that have had a positive diagnosis for COVID-19, those that are part of a high-risk group that should be especially mindful of contact with COVID-19, and those that have had a physician or healthcare provider or other official recommend self-quarantine. Grants range up to $250.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts: Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund
The Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund will disburse $1,500 grants to artists who have had performances or exhibitions canceled or postponed because of the COVID-19 virus. Applicants must be individual artists, or an individual representing an artist collective, ensemble, or group.
The Red Backpack Fund
Applications will be accepted from April through August of 2020.
The Red Backpack Fund, an initiative of The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation managed by GlobalGiving, will make at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis. Eligible applicants include majority women-owned businesses and nonprofits with annual revenues less than $5M, at least one additional paid employee, and fewer than 50 individuals on staff.
Artist Relief
The Artist Relief program is an initiative that provides immediate, unrestricted emergency funding of $5,000 for individual artists throughout the United States, of all disciplines, and resources to help those in need due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Artist Relief Project
The Artist Relief Project will support artists in any discipline who have been directly impacted by event cancellations and venue closures due to COVID19-related health concerns. Relief will be provided to artists in the immediate short term in the form of an emergency stipend, and in the longer term in the form of programs, resources, and support for alternative, sustainable marketing opportunities. Anyone pursuing the arts as a career (any discipline, any level of experience) is eligible to apply.
The Creator Fund
The Creator Fund provides financial assistance to active creators who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The Fund covers medical, childcare, housing, or grocery needs.
Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund
The Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund provides direct financial assistance to musicians in the U.S. who have lost work as a result of Corona-related event cancellations. The Fund will pay out a maximum of $500 per gig on a first-come, first-served basis.
Facebook for Business: Small Business Grants Program
The Facebook for Business Small Business Grants Program is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to help small business, including funds to keep workforces going strong, help with rent costs, connect with more customers, and cover operational costs. Eligible businesses must be for-profit companies, have between 2 and 50 employees, have been in business for over a year, have experienced challenges from COVID-19, and be in or near a location where Facebook operates.
The Photographer Fund
The Photographer Fund aims to help self-employed photographers who are facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. Assistance of up to $500 per person is provided.
Freelancers Union: Freelancers Relief Fund
Freelancers Relief Fund will offer financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household in the U.S. to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs, including food or food supplies, utility payments, and cash assistance to cover income loss. (Applications will open on April 2, 2020.)
Hello Alice: COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grant
The COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grant supports small business owners impacted by coronavirus. In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive ongoing support from the Hello Alice community.
Motion Picture & Television Fund: COVID-19 Relief Fund
The COVID-19 Relief Fund aims to help those workers in the entertainment industry who are suffering COVID-19 related hardships. Applicants must be industry members that demonstrate financial need and meet minimum earnings or hours thresholds.
National Geographic: COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists
The National Geographic Society is launching an emergency fund for journalists all over the world who wish to cover COVID-19 within their own communities. The Fund will distribute support ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 for local coverage of the preparation, response, and impact of this global pandemic as seen through evidence-based reporting. Eligible applicants include writers, photographers, videographers, audio journalists, cartographers, filmmakers, and data visualization experts.
One Fair Wage Emergency Fund
The One Fair Wage Emergency Fund is providing cash assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers, and more who need the money they aren’t getting to survive. At the moment, the Fund is prioritizing tipped workers, gig workers and service workers in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. However, they are currently taking applications nationally and are actively raising money to support workers in all states as soon as possible.
The Actors Fund
To help the community during this public health crisis The Actors Fund has partnered with other entertainment industry organizations to provide emergency financial assistance to those who have immediate financial needs. Support is provided through a number of funds to actors, dancers, film and television workers, musicians, theater workers, and Hollywood support staff.
Twenty Summers: Emergency Arts Fund
The Emergency Arts Fund provides grants to artists (up to $500) and arts organizations (up to $1,000) suffering from unexpected and unmanageable financial loss as a result of the coronavirus. Arts organizations and artists must be nominated by a board member, staff member, supporter, or other person.
Livenation's Global Relief Fund
Crew Nation is powered by Music Forward Foundation, a charitable 501c3 organization, that will be administering the fund. This fund is to help Crew members during the global pandemic.
Positive Legacy
The fund aims to support these behind the scenes players who are just as critical to events’ success as the musicians themselves, and don’t have a platform or outlet to obtain income during this pandemic.
Soundgirls CoronaVirus Relief
The SoundGirls CoronaVirus Relief Fund helps production techs across the globe that are now unemployed due to the CoronaVirus Pandemic by providing a small amount of aid to purchase necessities and slightly ease the stress.
Artist Relief
Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing information resource.
Artist Relief Project - Financial Support for Artists
The Artist Relief Project is an initiative by Artly World to provide financial support to artists impacted by cancellations due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Artist Relief Tree
Artist Relief Tree is a new fund created to financial support artists who are affected by cancellations due to COVID-19.
Musicians' Corona Relief Fund Application
If you are a musician who has lost income due to a cancelled gig as a result of the Corona Virus / COVID-19 outbreak, please fill out the form above to apply to receive support from Equal Sound's Corona Relief Fund.
EMA Relief Fund: Supporting Early Musicians In Need
Providing grants to early musicians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
#MusicUnited | Immediate Help In The Midst of Crisis
Around the world there are thousands of musicians and music industry workers who've lost their income the next months and are wondering how they will make it through this crisis. If you are one of them, please apply for help here too.
New Music Solidarity Fund
The New Music Solidarity Fund is designed to help new/creative/improvised music freelancers whose projects have bene cancelled during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Creator Fund
Apply to receive financial assistance up to $500. We are providing financial assistance to active creators who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.
IBMA Trust Fund - IBMA
The IBMA Trust Fund provides real support for bluegrass professionals in times of emergency need. If you have a little, give; If you need a little, ask.
COVID-19 Blues Foundation
General information about the COVID-19 Blues Musician Emergency Relief Fund. The Blues Foundation established the COVID-19 Blues Musician Emergency Relief Fund to provide immediate resource to full time blues musicians whose revenue streams have been severely diminished by the current coronavirus.
Apply | Musicians Foundation
Welcome to the Musicians Foundation CV19 Emergency Aid Grant Program Application. This application is available online only. Modest, one-time grants up to $200 will be available to professional performers, educators and composers who meet the following requirements.
Opry Trust Fund - Grand Ole Opry
Started in 1965, the Opry Trust Fund's mission is to help those in the country music industry when they need it the most, by offering financial assistance during their time of need.
Save NYC Nightlife
NYC Nightlife is an emergency fund providing immediate relief to shuttered cultural spaces affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hit hard are all the members of its ecosystem, affecting every aspect - safe spaces, musicans, comedians, sound techs, bar staff, and DJs who depend on bars, nightclubs.
Gospel Music Trust Fund
The purpose of 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 effecient insurance, to individuals who derive or have derived a substantial portion of thier income from the field of gospel music.
Pinetop Perkins Foundation - PINETOP ASSISTANCE LEAGUE
The goal is to provide emergency financial assistance to elderly musicians for medical and living expenses.
WINSTON HOUSE | Creative Community Fund
We pair people in the music industry who need financial help due to COVID-19 with people who can help.
Freelancer COVID-19 Emergency Fund
We will be funding creative freelancers who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 virus and resulting public response.
Donate Now
how to apply:
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.
Sweet Relief is here to provide immediate assistance and we have 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. Those wishing to apply must provide the following:
Sweet Relief is here to provide immediate assistance and we have 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. Those wishing to apply must provide the following:
- A completed Sweet Relief COVID Application and submit a form at the bottom of our Request Assistance page with the filled out application attached.
- Supplementary documentation proving that at least 50% of all income comes from working within the music community
- Proof of cancellations and bookings and/or relevant medical documentation
Please note: You do not need to be sick to be able eligible for assistance from our COVID-19 Fund.
HOW TO FUNDRAISE FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS:
We invite any artist or music industry professional to fundraise for themselves by starting a local “peer to peer” campaign via the COVID-19 Fund @ Sweet Relief. This will provide you with a fundraising link to share via all of your social media channels, and allow you to fundraise directly for yourself and others in your area/city. Please note that 20% of all funds raised with your peer to peer campaign will be earmarked for all other musicians applying for COVID-19 aid after the allotted grant amount ($400) is reached.* Should your fundraising efforts fall below the allotted grant amount, you will still be eligible for an emergency grant.
The steps for creating a Peer to Peer fundraiser are below:
*Once the campaign is over, Sweet Relief will pay third parties directly. For example, you would provide your landlord’s payment information and we would send them the rent money directly. Same for any other vital living expenses, including:
The steps for creating a Peer to Peer fundraiser are below:
- Click “Become a Fundraiser” via the Donate Now button on the COVID-19 Fund page
- Sign up via email or with Facebook and drop a photo on your Fundraiser
- Name the title of your Campaign, set your fundraising goal for yourself, set an end date (optional, we recommend at least 30 days), and give your campaign a story
- Team Association: Choose yourself (Individual), choose an existing team, or create a new team for you and your bandmates
- Start fundraising!
*Once the campaign is over, Sweet Relief will pay third parties directly. For example, you would provide your landlord’s payment information and we would send them the rent money directly. Same for any other vital living expenses, including:
- Any medical bills, prescriptions, health insurance etc.
- Utility/Telephone Bills
- Auto Related Expenses
- Groceries/Clothing
Donate Now
How To Help
To donate online click the DONATE NOW button above.
To donate by check:
Write check to:
COVID-19 Fund at Sweet Relief
Mail to:
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
2601 East Chapman Ave., Suite 204
Fullerton, CA 92831
If you wish to donate items, services or develop a fundraising event please contact us at [email protected] or call 949-215-9620
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. Federal ID# 95-4443269
To donate online click the DONATE NOW button above.
To donate by check:
Write check to:
COVID-19 Fund at Sweet Relief
Mail to:
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
2601 East Chapman Ave., Suite 204
Fullerton, CA 92831
If you wish to donate items, services or develop a fundraising event please contact us at [email protected] or call 949-215-9620
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. Federal ID# 95-4443269
General Fund | Musicians Cancer Fund | Designated Artist Funds | Regional & Genre Funds | Mental Health Fund
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund Mission
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.