Emergency Assistance
Financial assistance is available for musicians who have suffered major losses as a result of hurricanes or natural disasters.
To check if your county or parish has been designated as an area eligible for “Individual Disaster Assistance,”visit:
- US Federal Emergency Management Agency: Current disaster declarations page (Note: Not all FEMA disaster declarations include “Individual Disaster Assistance.”)
- Government of Canada Website: Emergencies and Disasters – Canada.ca
- Government of Nova Scotia Website: States of emergency – Government of Nova Scotia
AFM Hurricane Relief Fund
This fund assists musicians impacted by hurricanes. AFM members in good standing who reside in or were employed as a musician in areas designated by FEMA as Federal Disaster Areas for Individual Assistance and were impacted by a hurricane may apply to the AFM Hurricane Relief Fund for assistance. Any loss must be a loss that is not covered by insurance and must be fully documented when the member makes an application. (The Hurricane Relief Fund is not accepting any new donations, new donations may be made to the AFM Emergency Relief Fund.)
Download the AFM Hurricane Relief Fund Application.
AFM Emergency Relief Fund
This fund assists musicians adversely affected by major disasters such as earthquakes, flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, or tornadoes. AFM members in good standing who reside in or were employed as a musician in impacted areas designated by FEMA as Federal Disaster Areas for Individual Assistance (or in the case of Canada a provincial state of emergency declaration) and were in good standing at the time of the loss may apply to the AFM Emergency Relief Fund for assistance.
Download the AFM Emergency Relief Fund Application here.
To donate to the AFM Emergency Relief Fund, click here.
Additionally, checks made payable to “AFM Emergency Relief Fund” can be mailed to the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada at 1501 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10036. All Relief Fund donations go into a separate bank account for distribution to AFM members in good standing.
Please note: Contributions can only be accepted from AFM members and are not tax-deductible.
Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund for Disabled Musicians
The AFM’s Lester Petrillo Fund was established to assist members-in-good standing who become ill or disabled and cannot accept work. The following COVID-specific circumstances would qualify for assistance:
- An AFM member is diagnosed with Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- An AFM member tests positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and must quarantine
Members and local officers may download the Lester Petrillo Fund application here. Completed applications, along with supportive medical documentation, should be submitted by members to their local unions, which will then submit them to the Federation.
Entertainment Community Fund
Musicians affected by natural disasters and public health crises, such as COVID, can contact Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) for information on additional emergency financial assistance and other resources.
Musicians Foundation
Musicians Foundation provides financial assistance to professional musicians and their families in times of need, crisis, and transition. Musicians Foundation is committed to the singular mission of providing critical and life-changing financial assistance to professionals in the music industry. Visit the Musicians Foundation website for more information.
Union Plus
Musicians participating in certain Union Plus programs who have been impacted by natural disasters may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program. Please visit the Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund here to learn more about the benefits and eligibility requirements.