Click here to download the TCBF Individual Revised 2022 Application
For more information or to request an application be mailed to you, you may contact the Theatre Community Benevolent Fund at TCBFBoston@gmail.com.
Highlights of Individual Application
- Applicants are limited to three applications for the same incident
- Applicants should expect a delay in response of at least five business days
- Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis
- Please note new guidelines regarding companies are being established. The revised protocols and form will be available by August 1st
Who is eligible to apply?
All theatre practitioners, regardless of amount of income from theatre work and all operational non-profit organizations of Greater Boston and the surrounding areas are eligible to apply for TCBF funds. It is expected that individual applicants have an established and documented history of theatrical performance, directing, design, writing, production, or administration in Greater Boston and/or the surrounding areas.
What qualifies as income from theatre work?
Income from theatre related work includes, but may not be limited to, payments from: acting, directing, music directing, stage management, playing as a pit musician or band member for a theatrical production, choreographing, fight-choreographing, intimacy coaching, dialect coaching, playwriting, design, technical/production work, crew positions, producing, administrative/staff positions at theatre companies, front of house, box office, teaching theatre (all ages and settings), puppetry, historical re-enactment, dramaturgy, and theatre criticism.
If you are uncertain whether a particular job or gig would be considered “theatre related,” please contact the TCBF board.
What emergencies fall within TCBF funding parameters?
TCBF funds may be applied toward costs associated with, but not necessarily limited to:
- Extreme illness
- Devastating acts of nature such as floods or hurricanes
- Housing emergencies
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Loss of income during COVID-related shutdowns
TCBF funds do not cover costs associated with, but not necessarily limited to:
- Failed business ventures–this includes failed real estate ventures (e.g., buying a house to rent or sell and not finding a renter or a buyer, owning an AirBNB that is not being occupied, etc.)
- Seed money for businesses or organizations
- Elective surgery
- Tuition for classes or academic programs
- Artistic projects
- Non-essential purchases (i.e., not relevant to sustaining livelihood)
Application Process
A review panel comprised of the TCBF Board of Directors assesses all applications. The process is as follows:
- Individuals should fill out the Individual Application form
- Please redact any sensitive information on attached documents. You can find some resources on ways or programs to do that here.
- The panel will assess the full application, and applicants will be notified of the panel’s determination in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the full application form
- Please note that currently applications are reviewed every other week
- If a grant is awarded, the financial assistance, in most cases, will be paid directly to service providers (hospitals, doctors, utilities, mortgage companies, etc.) Grants paid directly to the applicants are disbursed within thirty (30) calendar days of an award determination.
Nondiscrimination
The Theatre Community Benevolent Fund shall not practice discrimination against any applicant for any reason including on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political persuasion or belief, age, or disability.
Confidentiality
It is the policy of the Theatre Community Benevolent Fund that board members will not disclose confidential information obtained through their affiliation with TCBF to any person, including their relatives, friends, and business and/or professional associates. All information concerning applicants and the funds, including financial data and business records is confidential. “Confidential” means board members are not permitted to disclose applicants’ names or talk about them in ways that will make their identity known. Board members are cautioned to demonstrate professionalism, good judgement, and care to avoid unauthorized or inadvertent disclosures of confidential information. At the end of a board member’s term, he/she/they shall return and/or be removed from all documents, papers, and other materials, that may contain confidential information. This policy is not intended to prevent disclosure where disclosure is required by law.