SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS — Financial and other

UPDATED JUNE 2023

Financial Literacy Tools and Info -- TEST

MUSICIANS FOUNDATION

Up to $3000 to help pay essential bills which are defined as: an unpaid medical or dental bill; help paying rent or mortgage while living with a medical or dental condition; help paying rent or mortgage due to eviction or foreclosure (must have a notice); help with a utility bill while living with a medical or dental situation. Must have five or more years of professional experience as a performer, composer, or educator AND file taxes as a musician. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; no deadline.

JEWISH COMMUNITY COVID-19 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Must be member of the Jewish Community, live in the Greater New Orleans area, be 25 years old or older, and have exhausted other avenues of assistance. Open as of May 12, 2021.

JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

No set amount; a fund to cover basic living expenses for musicians in crisis. Expect about 2-3 weeks for a response. Open as of May 12, 2021.

BLUES FOUNDATION COVID-19 BLUES MUSICIAN EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

For professional blues musicians whose revenue streams have been severely diminished by the current coronavirus pandemic. Award amounts are intended to assist primarily with immediate essential needs such as food, rent/mortgage, utilities, phone and car payments. Medical insurance premiums will also be considered. E-mail Keisha Moore-Alston at keisha@blues.org to request an application. Open as of May 12,2021.

ACTOR’S FUND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE GRANT

Open to everyone who works in performing arts and entertainment including theater, film, television, music and dance. Those who work on stage, on camera or behind the scenes are encouraged to apply. Must be able to show entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years (2015-2020). Income from teaching does not qualify. Dancers, comedians and comedy professionals must document three years of recent earnings of at least $2,000 a year. Need to be able to provide most recent bank statements and proof of address (lease, mortgage statement, or bill addressed to applicant). Open as of May 12, 2021.

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

LOUISIANA STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Maximum weekly benefit of up to $247, but amounts vary based on documented income.

Assistance for Unemployment Denials:

Contact Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) | 504-529-1000 | www.slls.org

Assistance for First Time Applicants:

Contact Gene Meneray @ The Ella Project | 504-250-0429 | gene@ellanola.org

UNCONFIRMED GRANTS

(POSSIBLY ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS)

RECORDING ACADEMY/MUSICARES COVID-19 RELIEF FUND

Grants up to $1000 to help cover rent/mortgages for music industry professionals. Must complete a Musicares application; document either 5 years working in the music industry/6 commercially released recordings (singles)/6 commercially released or promotional videos; have proof of cancellations of bookings; copy of lease/mortgage with name, account number, and vendor address.

KEEP NOLA MUSIC ALIVE

Grants starting at $250; Open to musicians, Black Masking/Mardi Gras Indians, and Second Line Dancers who are native New Orleanians or performed professionally in New Orleans for 10 years or more.

SWEET RELIEF COVID-19 FUND

Must have proof that 50% of Income comes from ‘the music community’; proof of lost bookings; priority given to applicants with medical issues. Accepting applications, but with a long wait list.

UPDATED JULY 6, 2021

CULTUREAID FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES (MEALS AND GROCERIES)

Every Wednesday at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1835 St Roch Ave, New Orleans, 6PM-til
Every Saturday at Bell Artspace, 2111 Dumaine St, New Orleans, 10AM-til

JEFFERSON PARISH FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES

Unverified, so call and double check before you go.

NEW ORLEANS COMMUNITY FRIDGES

NEW ORLEANS MUTUAL AID SOCIETY

Free meals Mon-Thurs 5-7 PM and Sat 1-3:30 | Free groceries Tues & Thurs 5-7 PM and Sat 1-3:30 | No barriers | 3122 Cleveland Ave | neworleansmutualaid@gmail.com

Free or Discounted Meals for Musicians/Service Industry

Meals For Musicians | Howlin’ Wolf, 907 S. Peters St. | FREE meals for all entertainers, hospitality, and service industry workers every WED from 12-2PM

NOLA READY MAP OF FOOD ASSISTANCE

Type in your address to find the food assistance site closest to you.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

Call 211 to find the location of the food pantry closest to you.

SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

Monthly benefits that help eligible low-income households cover food costs. Limits on who can apply and amount of benefits vary based on family size and income.

LOUISIANA WIC

Supplemental Nutrition Program for women who are pregnant or have children 5 and under

UPDATED JUNE 23, 2021

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Orleans Parish

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS COVID-19 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Accepting applications as of June 23 for the waiting list only. Financial assistance is available for both tenants and landlords, and can cover up to 12 months of rent (though there is a maximum limit per month). Payment will generally be sent directly to landlords, and applications are being accepted online, in person, or by mail. Households that meet the one of the following criteria are eligible to apply: Current income at or below 60% of Area Median Income (about $42,000/yr for family of 4); experiencing significant financial hardship due to COVID-19; at risk of homelessness/housing insecurity.