The history of DGF is rooted in knowing that there is a community that will support you when you are facing hard times. We are proud to be a part of that community and to support writers in times of need so that you can get back to doing what you do best.

DGF provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness. By supporting and nurturing the creators of today, we protect the stories of tomorrow.

If you or a writer you know is going through a hard time, we are here to help.

“I applied for a DGF grant while working on a rewrite of a play that’s deeply personal to me. The grant provided not only financial relief but also emotional reassurance—something that’s hard to come by in this industry. At the time, I was short on rent, and the support allowed me to avoid late fees and stay afloat without having to take on another hustle job. As playwrights, we grow accustomed to a constant stream of rejections, so receiving this grant was a beautiful and unexpected moment of affirmation. Amid the chaos of rebuilding—both personally and professionally—it reminded me that my work matters.”
Kilo, Los Angeles

Crisis Relief Grants 

Timely support to help you navigate hardship and continue your work

DGF offers Crisis Relief Grants to theater writers who experienced a recent, unexpected, and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.

Learn More And Apply For A Crisis Relief GRant

Bridge Grants 

$500 Grants to bridge the gap and ease transitions.

DGF offers Bridge Grants to theater writers facing non-emergency challenges that pull focus away from their creative practice. Whether you are a little short on a monthly utility bill or medication payment, need to pay for childcare while in production or residency, or have a few weeks between paying gigs, Bridge Grants allow writers to smooth over those difficult patches. At this time DGF Bridge Grants are one time awards only. You must have not previously received a DGF Bridge Grant.

Learn More and Apply for a Bridge GranT

 

Since 2020, DGF has granted over 4 million dollars to hundreds of theater writers representing 44 different states. Our grantees live in big cities and small towns. They are artists at the beginnings of budding professional careers and established writers navigating the complexities of old age. They are parents and caretakers. They work in every nook and cranny of the American Theater.

Since the founding of DGF in 1962, our Emergency Grants Program has responded to countless disasters including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, 2008 Great Recession, Hurricane Katrina, the COVID-19 pandemic, WGA/SAG-AFTRA Strikes, California Wildfires, as well as continually responding to systemic issues in housing and healthcare which disproportionately affect artists and gig workers.

Determination Process:

All grant applications are read by DGF’s grant team. We review primarily for eligibility, making sure all applicants fulfill our requirements, are indeed professional dramatists living and working in the United States. Then we review whether the applicant’s emergency is an eligible one. Certain applications may be sent to our Grants Committee for additional review. Applicants will typically receive a determination within one month of their application. 

Repeat Applicants:

Applications from dramatists who have received support from DGF in the past may take longer to process. First time applicants will be prioritized. We generally do not fund applicants that received funding from DGF in the last 12 months.

Questions?

Please Check Our FAQs

If you have additional questions, please contact us either at grants@dgf.org or by phone. You can reach us by phone Monday through Thursday from 10am-6pm EST and on Friday from 10am – 1pm EST.

“The Dramatist Guild Foundation was instrumental in my immigration process. Through the Crisis Relief Grant, I was able to receive the financial support required to expedite my visa application process. In amongst the chaos of immigration, DGF has been a strong and steady support, and I am truly grateful.”
Kate, New York City