NIVA Awards $3M Emergency Grants To Indie Music Venues
The NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) Emergency Relief Fund has awarded its first grants to help some of the most vulnerable indie live music venues stave off disaster until the federal funds from the recently passed Save Our Stages act begin to arrive.
Donations from music fans, artists, and corporations to the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund allowed NIVA to provide a total of $3 millon worth of $25,000 short-term assistance grabts to 153 independent venues and promoters throughout the U.S.
“This aid would not have been possible without the help of everyone who has supported NIVA. Thank you especially to the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund Committee co-chairs, Lisa Gedgaudas, Chris Zacher, and Carl Swanson, who dedicated endless hours to making sure this program could assist as many venues and promoters as possible; we’re immensely grateful to them,” said NIVA Executive Director Rev. Moose. “But the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund is just a temporary life raft for these small businesses. With a maximum grant amount of $25,000, this is only short-term help. And we are pained that we can’t provide grants to all who applied, because our industry’s need far exceeds the donations we’ve collected so far. We’re grateful that Congress passed the latest COVID Relief law, but it will likely take months before the grants are received. We’re trying to help those most at risk of going under while they wait.”
The NIVA Emergency Relief Fund is administered by The Giving Back Fund with resources allocated by a diverse, and impartial third-party panel of industry experts.
“It’s hard to imagine our futures without the lively spirit and culture of independent music venues,’ added Marc Pollick, president of the Giving Back Fund. “They are where we go to elevate our lives. It’s one of the many reasons why The Giving Back Fund is so proud to be partnering with NIVA to facilitate their Emergency Relief Fund. We received hundreds of applications from venues across the country, each with their own unique history and each in dire need of support – far more worthy applications than we can fulfill given the current resources. Grants are set to go out to the first round of recipients this week and we hope to continue our efforts to find the necessary funding to save every last venue.”
However, NIVA said it has received requests for four times as much emergency aid as was available with a total of $11 million still needed to provide business-saving relief to all who have applied for emergency relief so far and donations to the Emergency Relief Fund are still being accepted.
Individuals, foundations, businesses, and organizations that are interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund should visit nivassoc.org/erf.
