Generous Disbursement of $324,000 in Non-repayable Funds Planned in Prominent American City, Adopting Model from Basic Income Schemes
Splash down on some $$$ with the Dance Workforce Resilience (DWR) Fund, a brand new financially boost for New York City's dancing scene! Inspired by basic income programs and powered by some big-name donors, this program will be dishing out a thousand bucks no strings attached to over 320 dancers.
Swing onto the DWR Fund stage! This fairy godmother for dancers was brought to life by Dance/NYC, a non-profit dance advocacy organization, and is funded by the likes of the Ford Foundation, New York Community Trust, and other generous folks.
How does it work? The DWR Fund uses a weighted lottery system that aims to support underpaid and unprotected dance workers. If you've been shaking your stuff on the NYC stage between January 1st, 2025, and April 30th, 2026, you're eligible to take a spin at the prize wheel!
According to Sara Roer, the interim executive director of Dance/NYC, this initiative isn't just about throwing cash at dancers; it's about shifting the culture of labor in dance and safeguarding workers from financial hardships.
Dance/NYC's 2023 research report revealed that the dance industry is a finanically precarious environment - on average, dancers bring home just $22 per hour, which is 15% below the city's living wage standard[5]. The report also found that over 40% of dancers take on work without formal contracts, contributing to their economic instability.
Ready to moonwalk your way to some extra cash? Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis from June 18th, 2025, to March 3rd, 2026[6]. Winners will be announced after each monthly application round. Follow us on X, Facebook, and Telegram to stay up-to-date on this and other stories that matter to you!
[5] https://www.dance.nyc/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FINALWEBREPORT.pdf
[6] https://www.dance.nyc/dance-workforce-resilience/
News 💰 RegulatorsA fabulous new initiative is rolling out in NYC: the Dance Workforce Resilience (DWR) Fund! This program will be dishing out the dough to over 300 struggling dancers.
Dance/NYC, a non-profit dance advocacy organization, masterminded this fund with support from the Ford Foundation, New York Community Trust, and other donors. The program, known as the DWR Fund, will distribute one-time grants totaling $324,000 to underpaid and unprotected dance workers who've completed contracted work between January 1st, 2025, and April 30th, 2026.
Grants are awarded through a weighted lottery system aimed at uplifting the most vulnerable members of the dance community. Application rounds occur on a rolling basis until March 3rd, 2026.
Dance workers in NYC can enjoy a boost in financial stability and protection from economic precarity, thanks to the DWR Fund.
Resources:- Dance/NYC's website: https://www.dance.nyc/dance-workforce-resilience/- Dance/NYC's 2023 research report: https://www.dance.nyc/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FINALWEBREPORT.pdf
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts might find an unusual investment option in the Dance Workforce Resilience (DWR) Fund, a blockchain-powered initiative distributing one-time grants to underpaid dancers in New York City. The DWR Fund, engineered by Dance/NYC, leverages contributions from the Ford Foundation, New York Community Trust, and other philanthropists, aiming to enhance the financial situation of dance workers in a precarious industry.
