DGF Announces Emergency Relief Fund
On June 28, 2023, the Directors Guild Foundation (DGF) announced the creation of the DGA Emergency Relief Fund to aid members facing financial crisis. Although the Directors Guild of America has voted to ratify a new labor contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, entertainment industry workers in film, television and commercial productions remain impacted by the current writer’s strike. The Trustees of the DGF voted unanimously to establish a separate emergency relief fund. The new Fund will support DGA members affected by the shutdowns with $1,000 financial relief grants. The Emergency Relief Fund grants will exist alongside the Foundation’s longstanding interest-free loan program that offers aid to members experiencing financial hardships and emergencies.
DGA Members can call MPTF on its hotline – (323) 634-3888 – or contact them via email at info@mptf.com for more information.
DGA Members, you can also click here for a FAQ
regarding the new Emergency Relief Fund.
Financial Hardship Assistance
For decades, the Directors Guild Foundation's interest-free loan program has provided a vital lifeline to members facing financial hardships and emergencies. For more information or to apply for a confidential loan, please contact the DGF office at (310) 289-2037 or Foundation@dga.org.
IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE DONATE HERE
If you prefer to donate by check, please make it out to the Directors Guild Foundation, and mail it to the Directors Guild Foundation, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046.
New Cornerstone Circles
If you are fortunate enough to be able to give and support fellow members in crisis, please consider a donation or joining one of our new Cornerstone Circles created in honor of leading directors.
JOIN A CORNERSTONE CIRCLE TODAY
$1,200 - JOHN RICH circle
$2,500 - DOROTHY ARZNER circle
$5,000 - JOHN SINGLETON circle
$10,000 - ORSON WELLES circle
DGF Officers:
- Todd Holland, Chairman of the Board
- Scott Berger, First Vice Chairman
- Jay D. Roth, Second Vice Chairman
- Cleve Landsberg, Treasurer
- Michael Zinberg, Assistant Secretary
- Millicent Shelton, Assistant Treasurer
DGF Trustees:
Paris Barclay, Laura Belsey, Scott Berger, James Burrows, Mark Cendrowski, Gil Cates, Jr., Zetna Fuentes, Leonard Garner, Jr., Lesli Linka Glatter, Taylor Hackford, Todd Holland, Joanna Kerns, Cleve Landsberg, Kathleen McGill, Martha Mitchell, Edward Ornelas, Jay D. Roth, Millicent Shelton, Joyce Thomas, Jesús Treviño, Thomas Whelan, Michael Zinberg.
HISTORY
Founded in 1945, the Directors Guild Foundation has a rich history of generosity. Distinguished DGA board members and industry leaders such as Frank Capra, Cecil B. DeMille, John Ford, Gil Cates, Sr., Howard W. Koch, and John Rich were instrumental in developing the mission of the DGF. The current Trustees continue this proud tradition of service by providing confidential loans to Directors Guild of America members: standard loans to assist members who are experiencing short term financial hardship and emergency loans to assist members experiencing an immediate need due to a natural disaster, medical emergency, or the like.
In addition to the DGF’s 70+ year history of helping DGA members in need through its interest-free loan program, the Foundation has established the Directors Guild Foundation Cognitive Wellness Program. In partnership with the Motion Picture & Television Fund and the UCLA Longevity Center, this 10-year commitment supports an ambitious research program exploring ways to delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer symptoms. This partnership with MPTF/UCLA is only the most recent example of how the Foundation is growing to meet the needs of DGA members in new ways and recognizes that we can do so much more to aid the long-term health and well-being not only of DGA members, but the entire entertainment community.
For the last several years the Foundation has underwritten the cost of annual flu shots for more than 1,000 DGA members and their dependents without health coverage through flu shot clinics in Los Angeles and New York. The Foundation also continues its long history of supporting The Actors Fund and the programs and services it provides to DGA members and the entire entertainment community.
In the 21st Century, the Foundation continues its vital mission of serving DGA members in need and directly supporting organizations that are responsible for the physical health and well-being of DGA members and the entertainment community. Please join the Foundation’s Board of Trustees in these worthy initiatives by making a tax-deductible contribution, giving back to those who can use your help the most.