Emergency Relief Fund
A responsive cash grant program for disabled creatives in crisis.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
Program Impact
$120,000
in hardship grants distributed to 128 disabled creatives since 2023.
95%
of grantees say the Fund helped their overall emotional wellbeing.
100%
of our most recent grantees had improved financial stability within 30 days of receiving funding.
$22,000
distributed to disabled creatives in immediate response to the 2025 L.A. Wildfires.
From the Grantees
"The financial element was of course helpful, but I don't want to understate the emotional significance of this program. Having someone extend a hand and offer that assistance was monumental."
"I live paycheck to paycheck, and the funding was a crucial lifeline that helped me cover unexpected housing costs after the wildfires forced me to relocate from my apartment."
"It was not just stressful to have a major job contract paused then dropped, it was devastating to see and worry over friends and family in the [wildfire] affected areas. Receiving the grant was a blessing that no one was giving at the moment — the only one I received."
FAQ
Who can receive money from the Fund?
The Fund provides grants to disabled writers, filmmakers and writer-producers experiencing financial hardship. This includes creatives who work in narrative, documentary, and unscripted film and television. Need will be considered and includes but is not limited to housing costs, health impacts and medical costs, and lost employment. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be prioritized according to need and available funds.
At present, the fund also supports disabled writers, filmmakers and producers who are students, with grants covering education-related costs along with emergency need. To qualify as a student, you must be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-undergraduate degree, graduate-level program, certificate, or in select nonprofit education and training programs.
Do I need to be disabled to receive funding?
The Emergency Relief Fund is intended for writers and filmmakers who identify as disabled, including those with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, chronic health conditions, mental illnesses, blindness, low vision, deafness, neurodivergence, etc.
How does the Fund define an emergency?
Emergency has a wide definition, and we review applications on a case-by-case basis, so there is no single answer. But the reason for your application should be recent and related to ensuring you can continue doing work in your creative career in TV or film. If you are in a financial crisis due to compounding challenges that have gone unaddressed over time, detail how they are connected or have contributed to the current crisis you are facing (loss of housing/eviction, healthcare or a specific job, access needs that support continued work, transportation needed for your creative career).
We cannot address non-emergency issues such as paying for a downpayment on a car, updating your filmmaking equipment or screenwriting hardware/software, cushioning your savings for upcoming financial demands, or addressing your credit card debt. The Fund is also not designed to cover repeated or future expenses, costs that are not your own, costs of care for someone else, or to support your work in another field unless that work allows you to continue employment in the screenwriting or filmmaking industry.
What kind of creative work qualifies me for emergency support?
One of the main eligibility requirements for the ERF is that you are actively working in or pursuing work in screenwriting or filmmaking. So when applying, we encourage you to include context about how you qualify as a TV or film writer, writer-director or writer-producer if it's not clearly denoted in the links to your work (IMDb pages, personal portfolios, reels, resume, etc.) provided.
For example, if a link to your reel does not contextualize the projects it features or your roles on those projects, provide that information in your application. If any of your work is currently in development or was being developed and has come to a halt, note that. If you worked as a writer's assistant, but don't have that credited anywhere publicly, briefly describe the project and work you did.
If I am not yet officially enrolled in a program but am looking to start or re-enroll, am I eligible for the Student Fund?
If you are not currently enrolled but are considering starting or returning to school, to be considered for the Student Fund, please indicate what degree program(s) you are considering, what the financial requirements for enrollment or re-enrollment would be, and what steps you have taken already in order to register for a program.
Do I include past or future financial needs in my application?
In recent years, the industry at-large has been affected by a shrinking project and job market. As an ongoing barrier, that alone does not qualify you for the Fund. In your application, we encourage you to indicate how a recent emergency (disaster, medical, financial) or disabling event has impacted your ability to work as a screenwriter or filmmaker.
If you are facing compounding issues that have put you behind on rent, food, utilities, etc. or you are now at a crucial point in maintaining your housing, feeding yourself or your family, or being able travel to your non-industry job as you continue seeking industry work, we encourage you to outline the cascading challenges that have put you in crisis and if applicable, to indicate when these past financial obligations were due (e.g. last month, this month).
How quickly will I receive payment?
In order to be as responsive as possible, we aim to review applications in 14 days or less. However, our expediency is dependent on available funds and how many applications we receive, so we appreciate your understanding if we aren’t able to complete the granting process in the window we aim for. If you are awarded a grant, we will reach out via email to complete the Grant Agreement and initiate the payment process.
How will I receive payment?
Funding is provided in the form of hardship grants through ACH Direct Deposit or check. Hardship grants are generally intended to be non-taxable income, but we recommend you speak to an accountant to make a determination on the tax status of the grant.
What are the Emergency Relief Fund Terms and Conditions?
Have another question?
Email us at advocacy@inevitable.foundation