The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly The Actors Fund, is a 501(c)(3)

charitable organization A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definition of a ...

that supports performers and behind-the-scenes workers in performing arts and

entertainment Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience or gives pleasure and delight. It can be an idea or a task, but is more likely to be one of the activities or events that have developed over thousa ...

, helping more than 17,000 people directly each year. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, the Fund's programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, healthcare and insurance counseling, supportive and affordable housing, and employment and training services. The Fund owns and operates the

Lillian Booth Actors Home The Lillian Booth Actors Home of The Actors Fund is an American assisted-living facility, in Englewood, New Jersey. It is operated by the Actors Fund, a nonprofit umbrella charitable organization that assists American entertainment and perform ...

, a skilled nursing and assisted living facility in Englewood, New Jersey.

History

The Entertainment Community Fund was founded as the Actors Fund of America by Albert Marshman Palmer on June 8, 1882, largely due to the efforts of former

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, th ...

student

Harrison Grey Fiske Harrison Grey Fiske (July 30, 1861 – September 2, 1942) was an American journalist, playwright and Broadway producer who fought against the monopoly of the Theatrical Syndicate, a management company that dominated American stage bookings ...

, editor of the ''

New York Dramatic Mirror The ''New York Dramatic Mirror'' (1879–1922) was a prominent theatrical trade newspaper. History The paper was founded in January 1879 by Ernest Harvier as the ''New York Mirror''. In stating its purpose to cover the theater, it proclaimed t ...

'', who was aware of the many problems faced by those in the profession. The Actors Fund's first meeting was held in the theatre of president J. Lester Wallack. The Actor's Fund's first officers were Lester Wallack,

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...

; Albert M. Palmer,

vice president A vice president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vice president is on ...

; Daniel Frohman,

secretary A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a ...

; and Theodore More,

treasurer A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The significant core functions of a corporate treasurer include cash and liquidity management, risk management, and corporate finance. Government The treasury ...

. The original bylaws said that the organization existed to "foster and benefit the physical, as well as advance the intellectual, welfare of the actors of America." Funds raised at the 1892 Fair, held at Madison Square Garden, enabled the charity to provide individuals and families with assistance, including burial plots in a

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

cemetery and accommodations in the Actors' Fund Home. During the next decades, benefit performances held throughout the country raised significant amounts of revenue to subsidize the Fund's many projects. From 1960 through 1978

Louise Heims Beck Louise Payton Heims Beck (1889 – March 16, 1978), sometimes referred to as Mrs. Martin Beck, was an American librarian who became a vaudeville performer and the wife of theatre impresario Martin Beck. She assisted her husband in his theatrical ...

was chairman of the Actors Fund's governing board. Today, the Fund sponsors many special events and performances, with numerous

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

stars and Hollywood celebrities hosting, performing, and attending. Theatres throughout the country frequently pledge proceeds from regularly scheduled performances to the charity. Offices are maintained in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Additionally, the Fund is associated with a range of sister organizations which raise money through donations, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the guild/union relief funds of

Actors' Equity The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a book ...

, AFTRA; AGMA; AGVA; Episcopal Actors' Guild; the Jazz Foundation; the Professional Dancers Society; MusiCares, Society of Singers, and the Lambs. In 1997, the Actors' Work Program (AWP) was incorporated into the Actors Fund's full spectrum of services. Today, the Actors Fund Work Program (AWP) assists entertainment industry and performing arts professionals in identifying and finding sideline work and new careers. The Fund in New York also hosts a weekly creative writing workshop held on Thursdays for disabled and senior citizen performers. The Fund operates the Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence (formerly the Aurora), a site which provides supportive housing to special low-income groups including seniors, working professionals and people living with AIDS. The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence opened in 1996 (as the Aurora) and the Actors Fund provides on-site social services for residents. The social services group provides information and referral to community resources, entitlement program advocacy, coordination of home care and medical services, outreach, health education and support groups. The on-site social services staff includes two social workers, three case managers, and an activities coordinator. The Actors Fund developed this supportive housing project with its partner, the Related Companies. The Actors Fund's Palm View residence is a similar residential facility, located in

West Hollywood, California West Hollywood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Incorporated in 1984, it is home to the Sunset Strip. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, its population was 35,757. It is considered one of the most prominent gay villages ...

. The Palm View, opened in 1998, is a 40-unit apartment complex that provides homes to low-income people with HIV/AIDS. The Palm View is a collaborative project between the Actors Fund, the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, Housing for Entertainment Professionals and various funders. The buildings are managed by the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation. The Fund also owns and operates the

, in Englewood, New Jersey, a

nursing home A nursing home is a facility for the residential care of elderly or disabled people. Nursing homes may also be referred to as skilled nursing facility (SNF) or long-term care facilities. Often, these terms have slightly different meanings to i ...

and assisted living care facility for

retired Retirement is the withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from one's active working life. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours or workload. Many people choose to retire when they are elderly or incapable of doing their j ...

members of the entertainment community. The home is licensed by the Department of Health and qualifies for Medicaid and Medicare. Individuals who have dedicated a major portion of their professional lives to the entertainment industry are eligible for admission. The Actors Fund provides funds to subsidize the care residents receive. One of the earliest services the Actors Fund provided was assistance with the cost and arrangements of funerals and burials. In 1886, the Actors Fund purchased its first plot at the

Cemetery of the Evergreens The Cemetery of the Evergreens, also called Evergreen Cemetery, is a non-denominational rural cemetery along the Cemetery Belt in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. It was incorporated in 1849, not long after the passage of New York's Rural Cemeter ...

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

and, in 1904, a second plot was purchased at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. These plots are the final resting place of over 2,000 members of the entertainment industry. Today, the Fund continues to assist with the cost of funerals and provide a grave site with a headstone to those in need. In addition, the Fund offers pre-pay arrangements for those interested in purchasing a grave site. In 2014, Fund President and CEO Joseph P. Benincasa received the

Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre The Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre is a non-competitive award created by the American Theatre Wing in 1990. They are presented to institutions, individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theatre, but ...

for outstanding contribution to the theatrical community for 25 years service to the Fund. In May 2022, the organization changed its name to the Entertainment Community Fund, reflecting the broad scope of professionals the organization serves.

Services

The Fund's programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, healthcare and insurance counseling, supportive and affordable housing, and employment and training services.

Merger with Career Transition for Dancers

On September 21, 2015, the organizatio
announced
that it would merge with Career Transition for Dancers. The former activities of Career Transition for Dancers will thereafter be carried on as an operation of the Actors Fund.

The Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts

In March, 2017, the Actors Fund opened the Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. This facility (located at 729 Seventh Avenue and 49th street in the heart of the theater district) is in partnership with Mount Sinai Hospital and offers medical care for everyone in entertainment.

References

External links