At the start of the COVID-19 Crisis, PiPA used this page to share the various forms of financial support on offer to individuals working in the performing arts. As the industry has reopened, and some funds have closed, this page has evolved to include more every day financial support as well as grants for situations of crisis.

 

PiPA endeavours to keep this page as up to date as possible, and we thank you for your patience on this. If you notice any incorrect information, or a fund that is not listed, please contact lucy@pipacampaign.com.

(last updated 15/12/23).

 

FINANCIAL AID FOR ALL

Acting For Others: provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities.


The Royal Theatrical Fund - provides support to those that have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, for seven years or more, that are unable to work due to illness, injury or old age.


FINANCIAL AID FOR ACTORS

Equity Benevolent Fund - Can support Equity Members with subscription fees.

Equity Charitable Trust - provides educational grants for retraining, and welfare grants to those experiencing hardship.

The Actors Benevolent Fund - supports actors and stage managers who are in need of help due to to illness, injury, or old age. Support can be in the form of weekly payments, small grants and larger one-off payments.

The Actors Children's Trust - Offers financial, practical and emotional support to actor parents. Grants are offered to cover a range of costs, including childcare, school fees, school uniforms and SEND support.


FINANCIAL AID FOR MUSICIANS

Musicians Union – Unpaid Fee Recovery Service

Help Musicians – One off grants for support in a crisis.

Incorporated Society of Musicians – Funding for undergraduate and postgraduate students, covering costs associated with course fees, buying instruments, studying abroad and more.


FINANCIAL AID FOR DANCERS

Dance Professionals Fund – provides one off grants to dancers to support living costs, medical costs, retraining costs and crisis costs.

Equity Benevolent Fund – Can support Equity Members with subscription fees.

Equity Charitable Trust – provides educational grants for retraining, and welfare grants to those experiencing hardship.


FINANCIAL AID FOR OFF-STAGE

Equity Benevolent Fund – Can support Equity Members with subscription fees.

Equity Charitable Trust – provides educational grants for retraining, and welfare grants to those experiencing hardship.

The Actors Benevolent Fund – supports actors and stage managers who are in need of help due to to illness, injury, or old age. Support can be in the form of weekly payments, small grants and larger one-off payments.

The Theatrical Guild – offers grants to backstage and front of house workers. These can be in the form of long term or short term financial help, and contributions otwards the costs of studying.


FINANCIAL AID FOR VARIETY ACTS

Equity Charitable Trust - provides educational grants for retraining, and welfare grants to those experiencing hardship.


FINANCIAL AID FOR DIRECTORS

Directors Charitable Foundation - Their Directors Support Scheme offers emergency help to Directors and dependants of deceased directors in acute need.

 

OTHER GENERAL SUPPORT 

Theatre Support Info - Theatre Support is a centralisde hub of information for anyone working in the theatre industry about how and where you can access sector-specific help and services.

Music Support - For people who are experiencing mental health or addiction challenges who work in music.

MIND - Signposting service to organisations providing mental health crisis support