Writers

Emergency Grants

If you are a writer in need, we can help. DGF provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness.

To be considered for an Emergency Grant, you must have had a play or musical produced for a paying audience anywhere in the United States or Canada, and/or published by a legitimate publishing/licensing company. Active members of the Dramatists Guild also qualify. Emergency Grants can only be awarded once per individual.

After submitting the Grant application form, please complete your application by sending a recent bank statement, resume or biography, and any other pertinent information you wish to include. Without this additional information, your application will be considered incomplete and considered ineligible for review. This information can be emailed to grants@dgf.org or by mail to the Foundation’s offices: 

ATTN: Executive Director
Dramatists Guild Foundation
356 West 40th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018

Call 212.391.8384 for more information.
Fax: 212.202.4093

Hurricane Relief

For 55 years, DGF has provided financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters in need. We want to extend a special expedited process to those writers affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

In conjunction with the application form, please email hurricanerelief@dgf.org to submit as many of the following documents as you are able:

• Proof of address: a utility bill with your name and address
• A recent itemized bank statement
• A resume or bio including your experience as a writer for the stage

If you have any questions about DGF Hurricane Relief, please contact us at 212-391-8384 or hurricanerelief@dgf.org.

George Bailey Fund

The George Bailey Fund has been established to benefit the participants of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. The fund is open to first and second-year workshop members and will provide financial assistance for unforeseen expenses that go beyond the normal day-to-day cost of living and can hinder the pursuit of the craft.

The name of the fund was inspired by a scene in It’s A Wonderful Life, which stems from an assignment given during the workshop. In the scene, George Bailey gives his friends and neighbors what they need to tide them over financially, which is exactly what the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, hopes the fund will achieve. As someone who has participated in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, the donor has seen firsthand how unexpected expenses can interfere with the creative process needed to succeed in the program and wanted to offer financial support to those in need during the early stages of their careers.

Grants of up to $500 per person will be awarded during each workshop term, September through August and eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

All applications will be managed by The Dramatists Guild Foundation and workshop director Patrick Cook, BMI’s Director of Jazz & Musical Theatre, along with workshop administrator Frederick Freyer, will determine the eligibility for grants.

All applicants’ personal information will be kept strictly confidential.