Building for the Future

Posted July 20, 2009

The AFTRA Foundation is building for the future of performers, broadcasters and recording artists.

Founded by the AFTRA National Board of Directors in 1997 as a separate legal entity from the union, the AFTRA Foundation is a charitable and educational organization funded through tax-deductible voluntary contributions, grants and bequests—not AFTRA member dues—to support projects outside the scope of normal activities of AFTRA, including charitable endeavors, special conferences, studies, seminars and other events.

Here’s how some of the almost $1 million in grants made by the AFTRA Foundation have helped AFTRA members and the arts, entertainment and media industries:

• Offers performers across the country access to comprehensive social, health care, employment and training and housing services by ongoing support to the Actor’s Fund.
• Provides scholarships, workshops, counseling, mentoring and outreach to dancers through continuing support to Career Transition for Dancers.
• Provided crucial support to performers affected by the 9/11 tragedy by donations to the American Red Cross, New York City Central Labor Council and Support New York Initiative.
• Helped AFTRA members learn more about the history and mission of AFTRA through completion funding for the video documentary "AFTRA: Commitment to Action."
• Helped create a six-week educational pilot program to raise the technical and creative skills of Native Americans through a partnership with the Institute of American Indian Arts in 2004.
• Provided AFTRA members with a better understanding of the Spanish-language market and how to help give broadcasters a voice at work through funds for a Spanish Language Broadcast Study in 2001.
• Assisted performers in exploring alternative compensation models for commercials appearing on television, radio and the Internet through funds for a joint performer unions and advertising industry study in 2007.
• Encourages diversity in the media by ongoing support of the AFTRA American Scene Awards program.

The AFTRA Foundation also serves as a partner with other organizations to help achieve common goals and interests, including:

• The International News Safety Institute— The only global organization solely dedicated to the safety of journalists and other news professionals. Created in 2003 by a unique coalition of news organizations, journalist support groups and concerned individuals alarmed by the ever-rising numbers of colleagues dying while trying to tell the story, INSI is a dedicated source of safety information and advice for journalists in or planning to visit danger areas.
• The Kaufherr Members Resource Center— A full service, multi-purpose resource center in Chicago available to AFTRA members and other union performers. With a mission to support Chicago's professional actors in marketing their talent, enhancing their skills and support their resolve to make a living at their craft, the 2,500-square-foot Center adjacent to the AFTRA Chicago Local office provides access to new technology including digital audio and video equipment and computers.

AFTRA members support the AFTRA Foundation through contributions with dues payments and donation of residual checks that are too small to bother with.

AFTRA members and other people are also furthering their tax, financial and estate planning goals through a planned giving program that a wide range of contributions in cash or a variety of other assets, immediate or deferred, during lifetime or posthumously, through trusts, annuities, wills or pooled funds.

AFTRA Partners & Events