$1,000 Grant Applications Go Live May 13^th, Writers Should Submit Immediately

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has created a non-profit organization called the WRITER Foundation (We’re Ready In Time of Emergency Relief).  The foundation will accept applications Wednesday, May 13^th at Noon CDT for $1,000 assistance grants. 
 
“We created the WRITER Foundation after receiving a generous grant from SONY/ATV,” said WRITER Foundation Treasurer Bart Herbison.  “Songwriters are in great need now since the live segment of the global music industry has essentially shut down.  Performance royalty income will be dramatically affected.  Advertising revenues have dropped precipitously also impacting songwriter royalties.  And songwriters who perform or produce songs have witnessed those income streams dwindle.”
 
To be eligible, a songwriter/composer must qualify as a “professional” under the definition that they “currently earn the majority of their annual income from songwriting or related activities.”  Further, the WRITER Foundation application for the grants will ask writers to provide a written explanation of how their income has been adversely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Due to limited available grant money, the application asks that writers do not apply unless they need the funds to subsist. 

• Must be a Professional Songwriter/Composer to Qualify
• Fill out the Application at writerfoundation.org beginning at Noon May 13^th
• First Come, First Served Grant Process
• DO NOT Apply Unless Funds are Needed to Subsist
• All Professional American Songwriters/Composers in Need Are Eligible
• You Do NOT Have to Be A Member of NSAI to Qualify

The new WRITER Foundation Board of Directors who will review the grant applications includes:

President--Josh Osborne, Vice-President--Lori McKenna, Secretary--Jennifer Turnbow, Treasurer--Bart Herbison, Tim Nichols, Bluebird Café GM Erika Wollam-Nichols and Jimmy Yeary.
 
Applications will be honored on a first-come basis beginning at Noon CDT at the writerfoundation.org website and processed sequentially.  Any professional writer or composer in the United State is eligible except for NSAI and WRITER Foundation Board Members.
 
The WRITER Foundation is continuing to solicit donations to this fund and as of printing have received donations from the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation and Concord Music Publishing.
 
“The WRITER Foundation extends a special thank you to SONY/ATV CEO Jon Platt for the initial contribution and encourages others to make donations to help American songwriters and composers in need.”