FAQ

What kind of emergency relief does CERF+ provide?

CERF+ provides grants and no-interest loans. CERF+ also works with businesses in the craft community to broker craft supplies, equipment and services (such as booth fees at craft fairs) at no or low cost to those found eligible for emergency relief assistance.

Who can receive CERF+ emergency relief?

CERF+ provides emergency relief to professional craft artists who have had a recent career-threatening emergency and are US residents. Craft artists with a recent emergency whose livelihood is not from their craft may be eligible for CERF+ emergency relief through the more stringent Alternative or Emerging Craft Artist eligibility guidelines.

What does CERF+ consider craft?

A detailed description is in the CERF+ emergency relief guidelines, but CERF+ considers craft to be the creation of original objects by the skillful manipulation of materials. While objects may be created out of traditional or non-traditional materials, and be functional or non-functional, they should speak to an association with a traditional craft form (chair, vessel, garment, implement, etc.) and/or craft technique.

What does CERF+ consider a career-threatening emergency?

A detailed description is in the CERF+ emergency relief guidelines, but CERF+ defines a career-threatening emergency as a recent, unforeseen or triggering event that has significantly and adversely affected your ability to produce your work. Financial distress that results from the normal uncertainties of doing business is not considered an emergency for CERF+ eligibility purposes.

How does CERF+ determine that an applicant’s livelihood is from craft?

Additional information on craft income is in the CERF+ emergency relief guidelines, but to be eligible for CERF+ assistance you must have earned at least 50% of your income from the sale of your craft during the three years previous to your recent emergency. Tax returns showing craft income during that period are required supporting documents.

How do I apply for CERF+ emergency relief?

Fill out and send in a CERF+ confidential application for assistance along with all necessary supporting documentation. This may be done through the mail or the Internet.

How long does it take to receive emergency relief from CERF+?

Within two weeks of receiving a complete application and all necessary supporting documentation, CERF+ will notify you of the eligibility determination, and if eligible, the award determination. A check will be mailed after you have signed and returned the grant and/or loan agreement(s).

Can I apply for a grant, loan and brokered assistance?

Yes, but loans are not available if you are provided assistance through the Emerging Craft Artist eligibility guidelines.

Once found eligible, how much financial assistance will I receive?

The maximum potential grant is $1,500 ($1,000 if you are provided assistance through the Emerging Craft Artist eligibility guidelines). The maximum potential loan is $3,500 ($8,000 if you applying for the Phoenix Loan—an assistance program for the later stages of emergency recovery). The actual award(s) will likely be lower, based on CERF+’s review of factors such as severity of emergency, credit score (for loans), degree of distress, and quality of work.

Once found eligible, how much brokered assistance will I receive?

When an applicant requesting brokered assistance is found to be eligible, CERF+ does its best to match the needs of the craft artist with the offers of goods and services from the craft business community. Sometimes no matches are found and sometimes the matches take months to find and complete. For those receiving brokered assistance, the average value is $1,000 to $2,000.

I have a big craft show coming up soon, but due to my emergency, I can’t make it. The show producer won’t give me a booth fee refund. Can CERF+ help?

CERF+ will not ask a show producer to change their refund policies, but if you are found eligible for CERF+ assistance, we will approach the show producer about a booth fee waiver or discount for a future show that you have yet to pay for.

Does CERF+ provide emergency relief to fine artists or photographers?

No, but there are links to other emergency relief resources for artists on the CERF+ website. If you are unsure if CERF+ would consider your art craft, review the eligibility guidelines carefully and then contact the CERF+ staff if you still have questions.