The CA wildfires have devastated many lives, including many in the music industry. Whether you’re an artist, crew member, venue worker, or industry professional, we want you to know that support is available. Here are some immediate resources, financial assistance, weekly support groups, gear replacement and mental health support that can help you navigate this difficult time.
Emergency Financial Assistance and Grants for Music Professionals
Music’s Mental Health Fund
- Who can apply: Individuals whose primary income source is the music industry + their immediate family.
- What it covers: Mental health and wellness services such as therapy.
- Grant amount: $500 sent directly to your care provider.
- How to apply: Submit online.
- Click Here To Apply
- Who can apply: Professionals in theater, film, television, music, radio, and dance with documented industry earnings.
- What it covers: Basic living expenses such as health care, housing, and utilities.
- Grant amount: Determined based on individual financial needs.
- How to apply: Submit online.
- Click Here To Apply
Sweet Relief Natural Disaster Relief Fund
- Who can apply: Those with at least 3 years where more than 50% of your income came from employment in the music industry or as a musician, and currently negatively impacted by a natural disaster.
- What it covers: Loss of music-related equipment, medical bills related to the event, and other vital-living expenses, including mental health resources.
- Grant amount: Varies based on need and available funds.
- How to apply: Submit an online application with proof of industry involvement and financial hardship.
- Click Here To Apply
The Entertainment Community Fund
- Who can apply: Professionals in theater, film, television, music, radio, and dance with documented industry earnings.
- What it covers: Basic living expenses such as health care, housing, and utilities.
- Grant amount: Determined based on individual financial needs.
- How to apply: Submit online.
- Click Here To Apply
- Who can apply: Music industry professionals with verified financial need.
- What it covers: Ongoing, long-term support in the form of various outpatient mental health resources and medical care resources such as dental care, group health services, healthcare advocacy and confidential guidance, individual/family health insurance, senior care support, and vision resources. *Note – MHA is a Backline partner.
- How to apply: Request assistance online
- Click Here To Apply
- Who Can Apply: Artists and crews who have experienced unexpected hardship, including natural disaster
- What it Covers: Unspecified
- Grant Amount: Unspecified
- How to Apply: Online application
- Click Here To Apply
- Who can apply: Individuals currently employed within the industry facing displacement expenses due to mandatory evacuation orders, damage, or loss.
- What it covers: Unspecified
- Grant amount: Up to $5,000
- How to apply: Online application
- Click Here To Apply
We Are Moving the Needle Microgrants Wildfire Relief Fund for Audio Professionals
- Who can apply: Music producers, engineers, and creators in the Los Angeles area impacted by the LA wildfires
- What it covers: Provides micro grants for housing, transportation, and essentials
- Grant amount: Varies
- How to apply: Submit online
- Click Here To Apply
- Who can apply: Professional songwriters, producers, artists, or music professionals with verifiable industry contributions who are residents of wildfire-impacted areas of LA County and can demonstrate wildfire-related loss and financial need
- What it covers: Available grants are split between needs of immediate financial requirements of housing, transportation, and essentials, rebuilding efforts to replace equipment and spaces, and mental health support.
- Grant amount: Immediate financial assistance up to $2,500, rebuilding support up to $10,000, and mental health support up to $2,000.
- How to apply: Application link not live yet
- Click Here To Apply
Instrument and Equipment Replacement Programs
For the Future
Guitar Center Foundation
Fender
National Music Education Disaster Relief Coalition
The California Jazz Foundation
- Who can apply: Artists impacted by the Altadena Fires (though likely also of other fires as well)
- What it covers: Replacing lost instruments and essential equipment, access to studio time and creative spaces, and connecting artists with resources to help them rebuild
- Grant amount: Unspecified
- How to apply: Online application
- Click Here To Apply
Guitar Center Foundation
- Who Can Apply: Los Angeles-based musicians impacted by the LA wildfires
- What it covers: Instrument Replacement (via gear)
- How to apply: Submit a request for instrument replacement
- Click Here To Apply
Fender
- Who Can Apply: Los Angeles-based musicians impacted by the LA wildfires
- What it covers: Instrument or gear replacement
- How to apply: Submit a request
- Click Here To Apply
National Music Education Disaster Relief Coalition
- Who Can Apply: School music programs that have been affected by a natural disaster
- What it Covers: Will provide instruments and essential resources to rebuild music programs
- Grant Amount: Unspecified
- How to Apply: Email or phone call
- Contact: musicrising@mhopus.org or 818-762-4328
The California Jazz Foundation
- Who Can Apply: California Jazz musicians affected by the LA wildfires – validation will be required.
- What it Covers: Unspecified
- Grant Amount: $1,000
- How to Apply: Email name, email address, phone, former/current address and zip code of your affected area, instrument, and specific reason for request (lost home, evacuated, lost gigs/instruments, etc.). Deadline is April 1.
- To apply, email: help@californiajazzfoundation.org
Support for Songwriters and Royalty Holders
The SONA Foundation Songwriter Fund
- Who can apply: Songwriters and composers demonstrating need in areas of homelessness, job security, and medical care.
- What it covers: Unspecified
- Grant amount: $500
- How to apply: Online application
- Click Here To Apply
Sound Royalties Wildfire Relief Program – Advances
- Who can apply: Royalty rights holders earning a minimum of $5,000 in annual royalties whose primary residence or work is located in FEMA or CA state-designated emergency zones
- What it covers: Unspecified
- Advance amount: Up to $50,000
- How to apply: Online form or call (877) 795-0094
- Click Here To Apply
ASCAP
- Who can apply: ASCAP Writer Members in good standing who have suffered loss or damage to their primary residence, or studio, or been evacuated from their homes as a result of the LA fires.
- What it covers: Unspecified
- Grant amount: $1,500
- How to apply: Online application
- Click Here To Apply
Other Industry-Specific Support
CERF + Emergency Relief Grant
- Who can apply: Craft and visual artists affected by emergencies such as natural disasters or medical crises.
- What it covers: Studio repairs, medical bills, replacement tools, and lost income.
- Grant amount: Up to $5,000 per emergency.
- How to apply: Submit an online application with proof of emergency and financial need.
- Click Here To Apply
American Federation of Musicians
- Who can apply: Members of the AFM in good standing and who reside in or were employed as a musician in impacted areas designated by FEMA as Federal Disaster Areas for Individual Assistance
- What it covers: Unspecified
- Grant amount: Unspecified
- How to apply: Apply online, must log into the AFM dashboard
- Click Here To Apply
