Rapid Response Fund
Support for our community artists and activists during these trying times.
Due to the overwhelming response, we have temporarily closed the application to give our staff the time to review the second round of applicants. Please check back soon and follow us on social media for updates. Thank you.
We have created a rapid response fund to support the personal expenses of Muslim artists and activists whose livelihoods are being negatively impacted by this current moment. We will be making $500 grants to individuals through a short application process.
As we anticipate the secondary consequences of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of activists and artists, we know that the need will far exceed the current fund, and only continue to grow as time passes. For the first round of rapid response grants, Pillars distributed $15,000 in grants to 30 individuals. For our second round of rapid response grants, Pillars is distributing $25,000 to 50 additional Muslim artists and activists.
The Process
As a community-based fund, we are aiming to keep the application and distribution process as transparent, simple, and quick as possible.
Please reach out to our staff at fund@pillarsfund.org if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments. This is the account we will use for any communication related to this rapid response fund. If this form is inaccessible to you, please contact us to complete this form over the phone or Zoom.
These grants are for individual artists and activists who identify as Muslim and who are in the United States. Our process is based on trust, and we trust that applicants are people who have financial constraints that have emerged or been exacerbated as a result of this public health and economic crisis. These awards are available to individuals who have not previously been awarded a grant from this rapid response fund.
Pillars encourages feedback from community members throughout this process. We remain committed to responsive, community-informed funding as we continue to confront this evolving situation.
Distribution
Our second round of rapid response grant applications closed on April 17, 2020 at 5 pm CST.
We will review applications within a week of our acceptance deadline, and our goal is to release funds within days of the decision.
For questions, suggestions, or comments email fund@pillarsfund.org
