SAG-AFTRA Foundation

At the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, we believe that the bedrock of a thriving society is formed by cultural expression and artistic achievements, and that the contributions of performing artists are an essential part of our social framework. We foster the contributions of our actors, voiceover artists, broadcasters, dancers and others by providing them with emergency financial assistance and a wide range of professional development opportunities, because perfecting one’s craft is a lifelong pursuit. We also know that there are few support systems for performing artists, and that the limited opportunities available for professional development are often expensive, far exceeding the budgets of many performers. Consequently, we are committed to offering access to the resources, tools, and facilities available in our programs at no cost to SAG-AFTRA artists.

In addition, we help to cultivate the collective potential of the next generation of audiences, storytellers, and performing artists with our Storyline Online children's literacy development program.

Emergency Assistance programming was founded in 1985, and we continually streamline our programming structure based on 35 years of the Foundation's best practices, simultaneously collaborating with partner organizations when feasible to create effective aid packages for SAG-AFTRA artists. Structures for new or expanded assistance programs are often based on preexisting models, allowing us to implement programming on short notice to meet the unanticipated financial needs of recipients who have often been impacted by unforeseen events, including illness or injury, natural disasters, and public health emergencies.

Performers Programs are offered in our Los Angeles and New York facilities, periodically in other regions across the United States, and virtually. We design and present quality programming in a variety of formats, including in-person and virtual moderated panel discussions and highly interactive small group classes, as well as pre-recorded videos for online viewer access on the Foundation's YouTube channel. Maximizing programming caliber in part by cultivating and building upon strong relationships with the established entertainment industry professionals who take active roles as guest speakers and instructors in our programs is an ongoing priority. We also introduce new programming subjects in response to emerging trends and industry conditions affecting our community of performers. Both in-person and virtual attendance is closely tracked, and we survey participants on a quarterly basis. This longstanding practice produces valuable information we use to analyze the level of participant satisfaction, attendance rates, and the avenues through which SAG-AFTRA artists are learning about upcoming scheduled programs. Based on these evaluations, the Foundation is able to better understand the needs and concerns of our community at a given point in time, and we adapt our curriculum accordingly. Our social media platforms and our YouTube channel provide additional options for sharing feedback.

Storyline Online leverages the preponderance of technology both at school and at home to digitally reach as large an audience as possible. Our literacy content is available 24 hours a day for children, educators, parents, and other caretakers via the Storyline Online website (https://www.storylineonline.net), Vimeo, SchoolTube, YouTube, and our mobile app for Apple, Android and Google devices. Given that actors are particularly gifted in the art of storytelling, our literacy development program draws on well-known artists in the SAG-AFTRA community who agree to donate their time to read aloud to children. Video views and downloads of supplemental curriculum are tracked to gauge use and interest.

Emergency Assistance programming is spearheaded by our dedicated in-house Emergency Assistance team, including our licensed social worker. The presence of this fulltime team allows us to provide short-term counseling and collaborate with recipients on individualized budgets, helping them to begin implementing plans based on personal accountability that encourage financial stability far beyond the immediate receipt of emergency financial assistance. Additionally, our long-term relationships with other organizations with similarly aligned missions enables us to periodically partner on both individual aid packages and broader initiatives for disbursement of assistance, resulting in efficient distribution of emergency funding to artists in need.

Performers Programs are available both in-person and virtually. In-person programming normally takes place in our permanent facilities in Los Angeles and New York, allowing us to provide these educational resources in the two US regions with the largest concentrations of SAG-AFTRA artists. Additionally, our in-house tech team works closely with our Performers Programs to provide programming virtually, expanding our reach to performers throughout the nation, those with mobility issues, and those who are not able to attend in-person programs because of scheduling conflicts. Our virtual programming also allows us to provide popular programs to larger audiences, because the number of attendees is not limited by physical capacity thresholds.

Storyline Online also benefits from our in-house tech staff, who ensure that the Storyline Online website and apps are updated and operational, and plan in advance for continued quality of delivery. We film Storyline Online videos with a trusted production team, helping to ensure the quality and professionalism of each video. Additionally, considering the priority often placed by successful performing artists on shaping a positive public image, the enthusiasm with which our storytellers participate in this programming underscores the value they identify in Storyline Online, consequently encouraging other SAG-AFTRA artists to read for future videos.

Our guiding principle of providing emergency assistance and a comprehensive roster of professional development opportunities that help improve our performers’ prospects for success remains unchanged. Regardless of the method of delivery, we are continuing to design and produce high quality programs that are responsive to current industry conditions and the evolving needs of SAG-AFTRA artists. Additional programming offered to reflect emerging production protocols for a pandemic and post-pandemic environment include classes that provide the skills needed for self-taping auditions, as well as techniques for mentally preparing for live virtual callbacks. We are also exploring opportunities to scale up programming, such as ensuring appropriate levels of staffing to facilitate both in person and virtual programs as well as pre-recorded video production.

Since 1985, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation has granted over $26 million in assistance programs to thousands of SAG-AFTRA Artists in need, offered over 10,000 free educational classes to members of the performing arts community, and read to over 740 million children worldwide with our signature and award-winning children's literacy program, StorylineOnline.