8 Resources Freelancers Need to Take Advantage of Right Now

According to a survey done by the Freelancers Union, 76% of freelancers have lost out on work due to the coronavirus. With the gig economy reeling, a lot of financial resources have been put in place in the form of grants, loans, contests and donations, to help out those who need some to make ends meet. Here are some that all freelancers should be aware of.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

This is a part of the CARES Act that freelancers can benefit from. To be clear, this is a loan, but it has less requirements to meet and less work to do on your end. The PPP is open to all small-businesses with less than 500 employees, and self-employed folks like freelancers fall into this category. Applications for freelancers and other self-employed individuals are now open. If you want to read up on this in more detail, click here.

Storyhunter’s #CreativeUnderQuarantine Contest

Two weeks ago, Storyhunter launched the #CreativeUnderQuarantine Contest. All it requires is that freelancers create a video, photo series, or some form of media with advice on how to get through this pandemic. Do that and you could win a $3,000 grand prize, or two smaller cash prizes. Submissions are being accepted until Sunday, May 3rd, so check out the contest details here, and get to work!

Fund for Investigative Journalism

The Fund for Investigative Journalism is looking for stories on the coronavirus that break new ground and expose wrongdoing — such as corruption, malfeasance, or abuse of power — in the public and private sectors. They’re awarding freelancers with exceptionally strong pitches with grants worth up to $10,000. This is an opportunity for you to do some really important investigative journalism. For more information, and to apply, click here.

Freelancer’s Relief Fund

Since not all government aid packages will benefit freelancers as much as they do regular full-time employees, the Freelancers Union established the Freelancer’s Relief Fund, which is offering up to $1,000 to freelancers of all disciplines. The fund is currently accepting donations, 100% of which will go directly to freelancers in need. If you’re one of the few freelancers who hasn’t experienced a loss of work, or has the ability to work under quarantine, consider donating and helping out your nomadic colleagues. If you’re interested in donating or applying, click here.

International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF)

The International Women’s Media Foundation is taking applications from female journalists who are facing economic hardships during this time. The initiative is a part of IWMF’s Journalism Relief Fund. The organization is doling out grants of up to $2,000 to those who are eligible. Click here to apply.

National Geographic Society’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund

This is a grant available to journalists all over the world who aim to cover how COVID-19 is impacting their communities. In particular, National Geographic is looking to support stories that will bring knowledge to an underserved area, in terms of journalism and accessible information. Eligible applicants can receive anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000 to support their work. For more information head to National Geographic’s website.

Artist Relief Project

The Artist Relief Project is an initiative to help artists, musicians and performers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and freelance video creators are eligible. The application process is simple and the two requirements are that you have a website or portfolio with your work, and that you share the fund on your social media pages. Funds are being distributed or a first come-first serve basis, but they’re always accepting donations, so as long as people continue giving, creators will continue to benefit. You can apply or donate here.

Rauschenberg Emergency Grants

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is providing one-time grants of up to $5,000 to visual artists who are experiencing unexpected medical costs related to COVID-19. The grants will go directly to the artists, not to any health care provider, and are available to active creators in the United States. Applications will be reviewed and accepted monthly beginning in May. For more information, click here.

Since a lot of funds are being funded by donations, it’s imperative that those who are in a more fortunate position donate and support our world’s freelance creators. Share these with your fellow freelancers and on your social channels. Encourage those who need assistance to apply, and more fortunate individuals to contribute to these programs however they can.

To find more resources for freelancers impacted by COVID-19, check out this amazing list put together by Adobe.

By Jake Watkins, Head of Stories