Photo by Janko Ferlič.
This is an awesome program that helped me during a very financially critical time.
Playwrights Guild of Canada
Playwrights Guild of Canada
Compassion Fund for Service Organization Members
Level UP! Strategy Area: Compassion Fund
Pilot Project: Offering a Compassion Fund to members with caregiving responsibilities
Project Duration: 2022/2023 Season
Continuing to Implement: Yes
Resources Shared: Project Field Notes, Caregiver Compassion Fund Pilot Program Overview, Compassion Fund Application Form, Compassion Fund Email Templates, Individual Information Form
About Playwrights Guild of Canada
Location: Ontario
Artistic Discipline: Theatre
Operating Budget: $100,000 to $1,000,000
Playwrights Guild of Canada champions the role of the playwright in the creation of vibrant Canadian theatre. Established in 1972, PGC strives to advance the creative rights and interests of professional Canadian playwrights, promotes Canadian plays nationally and internationally, and fosters an active, evolving community of writers for the stage. PGC serves the business and advocacy needs of playwrights, and negotiates with the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres on behalf of Canadian creators. We operate an online bookstore, organize RRSP program for our playwrights, administer Amateur Rights nationally and internationally, offer a highly recognized awards program, support playwright readings and provide Professional Development opportunities.
Playwrights Guild of Canada‘s Level UP! Project
Playwrights Guild of Canada’s Level UP! pilot focused on developing and launching the Caregiver Compassion Fund to provide direct financial support to member playwrights with caregiving responsibilities or who require caregiving support. Led by Executive Director Nancy Morgan and shaped through collaboration with staff, the Board, and Level UP! partners, the pilot offered small, flexible grants to members, prioritizing artists from historically marginalized communities. Funding could be used for expenses such as childcare, home care, and transportation. The fund was administered through an anonymized, needs-based process that emphasized accessibility, confidentiality, and participant feedback.
Project Highlights:
- Member feedback highlighted strong appreciation for the fund’s simplicity, kindness, and practical impact.
- Over $4,000 was distributed to nine members during the fund’s first year, and PGC has continued to offer Compassion Funding, allocating $2,000 annually.
Resources
Playwrights Guild of Canada | Project Field Notes
About This Resource Playwrights Guild of Canada shared these Project Field Notes in 2023 as part of their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project. Their pilot focused on developing a system to administer a Compassion Fund to their large membership.
Playwrights Guild of Canada | Caregiver Compassion Fund Pilot Program Overview
About This Resource Playwrights Guild of Canada created the following Caregiver Compassion Fund Pilot Program Overview in 2023 as part of their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project.
Playwrights Guild of Canada | Compassion Fund Application Form
About This Resource Playwrights Guild of Canada developed this Compassion Fund Application Form in 2022 as part of their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project.
Playwrights Guild of Canada | Compassion Fund Email Templates
About This Resource Playwrights Guild of Canada developed a set of Compassion Fund email templates in 2023 as part of their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project.
Playwrights Guild of Canada | Individual Information Form
About This Resource Playwrights Guild of Canada created this Individual Information Form in 2023 as part of their Level UP! Pilot Project. The form was used to collect information from Compassion Fund recipients, if needed, in order to transfer funds.
More Information
For more information about the Playwrights Guild of Canada visit playwrightsguild.ca.
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