On May 9, SAG-AFTRA leadership was in attendance at The Actors Fund’s annual fundraiser gala — this year, a bi-coastal affair — when something historic happened: The 140-year-old non-profit, which provides health and wellness, career and life, and housing services to industry professionals throughout the country, announced that it is now known as the Entertainment Community Fund.
The updated name not only reflects the Fund’s continued commitment to professionals within the industry, but reinforces the scope of who is open to receiving their services and where.
“It’s a new name and a new look, with the same mission,” said Entertainment Community Fund Chairman Brian Stokes Mitchell. “We recognize the dedication of technicians, camera operators, stagehands, writers, musicians, stage managers, actors and thousands more who work in film, television, radio, music, theater, dance and opera. They all contribute to our country’s cultural vibrancy. We value them. We support them. And the Fund is here for all of them.”
“This rebranding embraces everyone on set and behind the scenes,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Crabtree-Ireland. “Our work is a collaboration and that collaboration is expressed beautifully in the new name.”
Added Fund Chief Executive Officer and President Joseph Benincasa, “We’ve long worked to meet the needs of those working throughout the entertainment industry, across the country. Now, with our new name, we can reflect the full scope of what we do and the broad range of performing arts and entertainment professionals we serve.”
The annual gala, which took place via simulcast in New York and Los Angeles, raised a record-breaking $1.7 million in fundraising efforts and awarded noted industry professionals the first Entertainment Community Fund Medals of Honor. SAG-AFTRA members Uzo Aduba and Mercedes Ruehl were among the night’s honorees.
To learn more about the Entertainment Community Fund and its services, visit entertainmentcommunity.org.
From left, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, member and Entertainment Community Fund Medals of Honor recipient Uzo Aduba, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair and VP, Actors/Performers William Charlton in Los Angeles on May 9. Photo courtesy of the Entertainment Community Fund.
Actor and Entertainment Community Fund Medals of Honor recipient Mercedes Ruehl on the red carpet. Photo by Natalie Powers.
SAG-AFTRA members and actors Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster present at the Entertainment Community Fund Gala. Photo by Rebecca J. Michelson.
From left, SAG Awards Executive Producer Jon Brockett; SAG-AFTRA Foundation Executive Director Cyd Wilson; and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, EVP Ben Whitehair, VP, Actors/Performers William Charlton; SAG-AFTRA Chief Finance Officer Arianna Ozzanto, Chief Governance and Equity & Inclusion Officer Michelle Bennett and Chief Communications & Marketing Pamela Greenwalt. Photo courtesy of the Entertainment Community Fund.
Top row, from left, N.Y. Local Board members Kevin Scullin, leslie Shreve, Marc Baron and Janette Gautier. Bottom row, from left, SAG-AFTRA Foundation Treasurer and SAG-AFTRA Motion Picture Player Welfare Fund Chair Maureen Donnelly, SAG-AFTRA Motion Picture Player Welfare Fund Board member Kim Sykes, New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon, N.Y. Local Board member Avis Boone in New York on May 9.
SAG-AFTRA member and actor Brian Stokes Mitchell presents at the Entertainment Community Fund Gala. Photo by Rebecca J. Michelson.
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