The National Independent Venue Association Emergency Relief Fund (NIVA ERF) has announced that it is currently accepting grant applications now through October 15 at 11:59 p.m.

According to the association’s website, “With nearly 2 million letters sent, we’re still hoping Congress does the right thing, and passes legislation that will #SaveOurStages. The truth is that while we wait for Congress, many venues are at risk of closing forever if they don’t get help today. We’re launching the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund to raise money for our most vulnerable venues, and keep them afloat while we wait on Congress. The fund will be administered by The Giving Back Fund; a separate non-profit that will collect the money and oversee the application process for venues to receive grants from the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund.”

Eligibility guidelines stipulate that grants will be distributed to venue owners and promoters following the jury’s recommendations. Applications will be processed through the review panel following each application period, subject to available funding. Grants are designed to assist grant recipients that are experiencing catastrophic revenue loss due to government-mandated closures and have been unable to generate meaningful revenue to replace the cancellation of events, classes, performances, and other related work. Eligibility details are available here. 

Applications may be accessed here and will be open for the initial application period until October 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Contact [email protected] with questions about the guidelines or application process.