The mission of The Haven Foundation is to offer interim financial assistance to freelance professionals in the arts who face crises. The Foundation’s reach is the United States, and its awards are granted with a view to helping individuals overcome temporary adversity and return to full-time work.

Guidelines for Assistance

In order to be eligible for assistance an applicant must be:

• A freelance qualified person. The Foundation defines the group as persons connected with the artistic or entertainment industries including, but not limited to authors, actors, singers, dancers, directors, producers, choreographers, musicians, artists and screenwriters selling work or services by the hour, day, job, etc. rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer. The Foundation considers the following media categories as part of the entertainment industry: books (including audio books), movies, music, theatre, dance and television.
• A professional. An individual who is committed to his/her industry or work, who has derived at least forty percent (40%) of his/her annual income over the past three (3) years from his/her personal production, performance or other work in the industry. A qualified person that makes a portion of his/her income in a related activity such as teaching classes relevant to his/her field to supplement his/her freelance income may also be eligible for support.

• Experiencing a specific career-threatening emergency. The qualified person must have experienced a recent, unforeseen emergency or triggering event that has significantly and adversely affected the qualified person’s ability to produce, perform and/or market his/her work and, thus, creates the need for immediate relief funds and/or assistance. The Foundation is not able to assist in situations of financial need that result solely from lack of employment, poor sales and/or poor business practices.
• Legal US resident. All work must be done by the qualified person; all work must be done in the United States.

Criteria for Assistance

All applicants must meet the basic eligibility requirements described above and submit completed applications with all required supporting documents in order to have their applications reviewed.

Application Procedure

Applicants must fill out and mail the application form with all requested information. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

The completed, signed and dated application and supplementary materials should be sent to The Foundation’s office. If the application package is deemed complete by The Foundation’s staff it will be submitted to The Foundation’s Grant Committee for consideration. The Foundation will make every effort to expedite the decision-making process so that we can respond to applicants quickly. If the application is not complete, the applicant will be notified.

The Foundation does not discriminate against applicants based on sex, race, religion, color, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Approval, Disbursement of Funds & Reporting

Once the application has been reviewed and approved by The Haven Foundation Board, the applicant will be notified. The award letter must be returned signed before any funds are dispersed.

Grants are not transferable.

Confidentiality

All information provided by applicants remains confidential, unless the applicant has deemed otherwise.

For more information, visit: https://www.thehavenfdn.org/guidelines/