Programs & Services

What CERF+ Offers

Any craft artist can contact the CERF+ office for resources on emergency preparedness, health and business insurance, health and safety information and other sources of financial and recovery support.

Applicants who request this assistance and are determined eligible may receive:

Booth Fee Discounts and Waivers at Craft Shows

CERF+ will act on behalf of an approved artist to solicit booth fee waivers and discounts for shows in which the artist has an exhibition history.

Discounts and Donations of Craft Supplies & Equipment

CERF+ will solicit discounts on and/or donations of craft-related supplies and equipment by brokering directly with suppliers, manufacturers and others.

Financial Support

Quick Loans and Emergency Grants

CERF+’s Quick Loans and Emergency Grants are designed to provide immediate help to eligible craft artists after career-threatening emergencies.

The maximum Quick Loan is $3,500 and no interest is charged. Quick Loans must be repaid within 5 years.

The maximum Emergency Grant is $1,500. If you are applying due to losses from a disaster that has activated CERF+’s Disaster Relief Grant, apply for a Disaster Relief Grant, not an Emergency Grant. (Please note that if you receive a grant, you are required to report the grant as income when filing your taxes to the IRS.)

Applicants may request a loan, grant, or both.

The maximum Emerging Professional Craft Artist Emergency Grant is $1,000. CERF+ loans and other CERF+ grants are not available to those qualifying for this grant program. (Please note that if you receive a grant, you are required to report the grant as income when filing your taxes to the IRS.)

Disaster Relief Grants

When a catastrophic disaster strikes and sufficient funding is available, CERF+ may offer special Disaster Relief Grants of up to $5,000 for craft artists who have been seriously injured or whose homes or studios have been severely damaged as a result of the disaster. (Maximum Disaster Relief Grant amounts may vary based upon the severity of the disaster, the number of artists affected, and the ability of CERF+ to raise funds.)

The application procedure is the same as for an Emergency Grant. If an Emergency Grant is made to a craft artist before funds for Disaster Relief Grants become available, the artist will automatically be considered for additional funding under a Disaster Relief Grant. (All CERF+ grants must be reported to the IRS by the recipient as income.)

This grant program is currently activated for: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes.

Phoenix Loan

CERF+’s Phoenix Loan is a business loan used by eligible craft artists to re-establish, improve, or possibly expand their crafts making capacity. The Phoenix Loan program was developed primarily for craft artists who are no longer in the initial stage of emergency recovery. Phoenix Loans range from $3,500 to $8,000. No interest is charged and loans must be repaid within 5 years. To be considered for a Phoenix Loan, applicants must answer all applicable questions and provide a cash flow projection statement for the next 12 months.