The Broadcasters Foundation of America is circling Thursday, July 20, on the calendar ("Giving Day") as a time to highlight its efforts to support colleagues in broadcasting who need financial assistance due to critical illness, accident or disaster. It's also using the day to raise awareness of the foundation so that anyone in radio and television who might qualify for aid knows about its charitable mission and can apply.
“Giving Day is an opportunity for everyone in radio and television to help our colleagues,” Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation, said in a statement. "As broadcasters, we are storytellers. Whether behind the scenes in marketing, sales, or administration, part of the production team, or on-air talent, everyone in the radio and television broadcasting profession has a common goal: to share vital stories with their communities. But who is there to help these essential community members when a natural disaster strikes, or an illness disrupts a family’s financial security and safety? The Broadcasters Foundation of America’s unique mission is to support our professional community during these hard times, when our colleagues are unable to work and struggling to pay basic living expenses.”
To read what some recipients have said about the help they received — in their own words — click here.
“Support for the Broadcasters Foundation of America comes directly from within our broadcasting community,” added Scott Herman, chair of the Broadcasters Foundation. “Over the past 15 years, our grantmaking has increased dramatically, distributing $400,000 in 2007 to almost $2 million in 2022. We currently help an average of 400 broadcasters each year through our two grant programs. Our monthly grants support broadcasters on a continual basis while they recover from an illness or accident. Our emergency grants provide one-time financial aid following a devastating natural disaster or home emergency."
To make a donation to the Broadcasters Foundation click here. To apply for financial aid or make a general donation, radio and TV professionals may visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.
