Invest in Artists: Launch an Emergency Relief Fund

An Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) provides short-term, immediate relief to artists who are facing lost income or unexpected expenses due to a personal or community-wide emergency. This might include illness or injury, loss of equipment or materials, natural disasters, pandemics, or other catastrophic events that disrupt an artist’s ability to work.

Sometimes a small amount of money at just the right time can help artists keep their livelihoods on track. Beyond material support, an ERF tells artists that their work is seen and valued, a message that can sometimes get lost in an emergency.

This toolkit by Springboard for the Arts walks agencies and organizations through the key steps to launching your own Emergency Relief Fund for Artists.