Theater professionals—actors, designers, directors, stage managers, box-office staff, choreographers, administrators, technicians, and more—experience unforeseen personal emergencies like everyone else.

But unlike many others, professionals in the arts rarely earn wages that are commensurate with their contribution to the vitality and richness of our community. Often, they don't have access to health insurance. We created the Taking Care Fund in 2012 to help colleagues in need. The Taking Care Fund assists area theater professionals in times of unforeseen financial hardship. Support is provided in the form of an outright gift that never needs to be repaid.

In March 2020, in response to the pandemic outbreak, we created additional opportunities for the long-standing Taking Care program to provide grants to theatre professionals who faced financial hardship from closings, postponed productions, and other lost wages. Over the course of 2020, the Fund provided over 500 microgrants to individuals in need.

As it became clear that the future of in-person productions remains uncertain and likely will for some time, and the need persists, a committee-led decision was made to shift from short-term, paycheck continuity relief and focus on longer-term expenses like rent coverage, debt relief, and medical care. As a result, larger grants are now funded, up to $5,000 per individual.

As of February 2021, the Fund has raised nearly $500,000 from more than 1,200 community donors. To date, 669 grants have been awarded totaling over $419,000.

As we’ve stated before, we are committed to keeping the Fund open – for applications and donations – for as long as the community needs it, increasing the level of support, and providing a continuous monthly grant cycle. With a generous $100,000 matching gift from The Revada Foundation of the Logan Family, we have set a new goal of raising a total of $1,000,000 for the Taking Care Fund by the end of 2021.

To donate to the Fund, click here.

theatreWashington welcomes questions on the Taking Care Fund and its application process. Contact our team at takingcare@theatrewashington.org.