People Donated More Than $1 Million Dollars to Striking Actors

By: Katelyn Wei

For its emergency financial assistance fund, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation has raised $15 million in the previous three weeks thanks to donations of $1 million or more from some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

Courtney B. Vance, an actor and the president of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, announced on Wednesday that the group has received 400 applications for the emergency fund, which is 30 times the average amount. He remarked, “The response to help their fellow performers has been incredible, immediate, and heartwarming. I appealed to our community to remember how tough it was growing up.”

According to Streep, “I remember my days as a waitress, cleaner, typist, and even my time on the unemployment line.” “I am fortunate to be able to support those in this strike who will fight for a long time to prevail against Goliath.”

“We are prepared to return to the negotiating table and reach a fair agreement with the AMPTP, according to George Clooney. In the interim, I’m honored to be able to help the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and any other actors who might be in need during this momentous time,” said George Clooney.

Separate from SAG-AFTRA is the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. The foundation’s emergency fund assists in paying for eligible applicants’ essential costs, such as groceries, utilities, rent or mortgage, and health care. Although radio journalists have a different contract than Hollywood actors, many NPR employees are SAG-AFTRA members.

Other foundations have also provided financial assistance to the writers and actors on strike.

Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, gave the Entertainment Community Fund $1 million. Since May 1, according to the organization, more than $6.3 million has been raised; the Writers Guild of America strike started on May 2.

According to the charity, the fund has given out around $3 million to more than 1,500 people impacted by the strikes. According to the organization, it is now disbursing $400,000 to $500,000 every week, up from an average of roughly $75,000 in the first half of 2023.