Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507954
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3 I 3 Directors Guild Foundation Emergency Relief Fund In August, the Directors Guild Foundation (DGF) announced the creation of the DGA Emergency Relief Fund to aid members facing financial crisis. The Trustees of the DGF voted unanimously to establish a separate emergency relief fund. The Fund supports DGA members affected by the shutdowns with $1,000 financial relief grants. The Emergency Relief Fund grants will exist alongside the Foundation's longstanding flagship interest-free loan program that offers aid to members experiencing financial hardships and emergencies. The flagship loan program has offered millions in financial assistance over the decades since first instituted. To qualify, an individual must: Be an active member in good standing • Have $25,000 in earnings under the Basic Agreement or Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement/Network Freelance Entertainment Agreements in the 12-month period prior to June 1, 2023 • Have less than $10,000 in liquid assets (bank statements will be required) • Have a demonstrated financial need. The application process begins with a call to the MPTF hotline (323) 634-3888. DGA members will speak to an MPTF social worker who will assess their eligibility and specific circumstances/needs. MPTF will work with the Directors Guild to confirm recent employment and that the applicant is a DGA member in good standing. Next, the assigned social worker will walk the member through the process of applying for financial assistance, which includes the completion of a financial assistance application and providing current bank statements showing the most recent 30-day transaction history and account balances. Members will be notified by their assigned social worker of the determination. If approved, financial assistance will be granted directly to the member. DGA Members can call the MPTF hotline (323) 634-3888 or email info@mptf.com. See the FAQ regarding the Emergency Relief Fund on www.dga.org/Resources/Directors-Guild-Foundation. DGF Contributes $100,000 to MPTF to Assist Film & TV Crews On August 30, the Directors Guild Foundation (DGF) announced that it has authorized the contribution of an additional $100,000 in new financial assistance to the MPTF for industry workers affected by the ongoing strikes. This new contribution to the MPTF will enable funding for a broad range of assistance options the MPTF currently provides for industry crew members facing financial hardship. The DGF, DGA and MPTF for decades have had a close relationship, with the Foundation and Guild providing longstanding financial support to MPTF – including millions of dollars of contributions to the general MPTF fund. For more information about the Directors Guild Foundation, visit the webpage on www.dga.org. For more information on the Pension & Health Plans, visit www.dgaplans.org or call 323-866-2200. DGF Offers Free Financial Training for Freelance Employees Managing income highs and lows as a non-traditional earner can be daunting. The Directors Guild Foundation wants to empower you to weather changing times via these free financial training courses for freelance employees. Provided by Abundance Bound, these sessions will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from September 26 - November 9, 2023 in an online forum. The Trainings will take place on Tuesdays from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific (no session on October 17th). The follow-up Q&A sessions will take place on Thursdays from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (no session on October 19th). Registered participants will gain in-depth knowledge on how to achieve financial clarity by following a step-by-step process tailored to the needs of non-traditional earners. Throughout the course, you will learn how to: Create a detailed monthly profit and loss statement • Devise effective strategies for addressing debt and building wealth • Develop a personalized plan for maintaining long-term financial stability. In these challenging times, this comprehensive course ensures you can confidently navigate your unique financial journey with a solid foundation and the tools necessary for ongoing success. A one-time registration is required. But once registered, participants will be able to attend courses live via webinar — and also review your recorded webinars on-demand to sharpen your understanding. Each week a follow-up "Q&A workshop" will offer more intimate assistance on the week's assignments. See more information regarding these trainings on www.dga.org/Resources/Directors-Guild-Foundation. DGA Members During the Strikes