The Creative Coalition Diversity Gap Initiative

BACKGROUND
The entertainment industry is difficult to break into, especially for young adults without connections or parents who are able to subsidize spending for them to meet their basic needs like housing, transportation, and food. Moreover, poverty studies show that financial barriers disproportionately impact women and people of color. 

THE INITIATIVE
The Creative Coalition Diversity Gap Initiative will provide $10,000 grants and high-level mentorships to bridge the gap for entry-level, low-income entertainment industry workers who have received a job offer. 

Our goal in the first year is to raise funds to provide a minimum of ten $10,000 grants. The Creative Coalition has a long, strong, and successful history of administering successful grant programs. 

To be eligible to receive this funding, each applicant must meet these minimum requirements for consideration: 

  • confirmation of a full time position or offer; 
  • assistant or equivalent title; and 
  • making a maximum of $40,000 annually. 

The applicant must also demonstrate their need based on financial support received in college (Pell Grant to be used as the main qualifier). 

WHO WE ARE
The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating its members on issues of public importance. The Creative Coalition also creates award-winning public service campaigns including #RightToBearArts to promote the efficacy of the arts. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization’s President. All donations to The Creative Coalition are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Chairing the Initiative is award-winning writer, director, showrunner, and producer Gloria Calderón Kellett (“One Day at a Time,” “With Love,” “Jane the Virgin”). Writer, director and producer Judd Apatow (Bros, The King of Staten Island, “Love”), producer Jason Blum (The Exorcist: Believer, Totally Killer, M3GAN), writer, director, and producer Krista Vernoff (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Station 19,” “Shameless”), and writer and producer Mike Royce (“One Day at a Time,” “Everybody Loves Raymond”) are co-chairing.

THE GOAL
With an initial fundraising goal of $150,000 (which we hope will be exceeded), we will partner with agencies, studios, and networks to support the Initiative. 

The goal for this Initiative is to bring our expertise as educators and partner with other leaders in the industry to encourage growth and change at the entry level of entertainment careers, which have historically only been held by those of privilege. 

With a foot in the door and a more solid financial footing, we will be providing these young adults with a solid base from which they can grow their careers in the entertainment industry.

IN THE NEWS
Dec 16, 2022 
The Creative Coalition Announces Diversity Gap Initiative With Gloria CalderĂłn Kellett, Judd Apatow, Jason Blum Among Co-Chairs (EXCLUSIVE)
By EJ Panaligan

The Creative Coalition announced the launch of the Diversity Gap Initiative, a fund that will provide $10,000 grants for entry-level entertainment industry new hires who come from low-income backgrounds without connections to help them meet their basic needs such as housing, transportation and food.

Writer and director Gloria CalderĂłn Kellett serves as the chair of the initiative. Judd Apatow, Jason Blum, Krista Vernoff and Mike Royce will co-chair the initiative. The Creative Coalition will also partner with agencies, studios and networks to support the initiative.

“If we want to make it possible for new voices to join us in this industry, it starts here. This pay gap initiative bridges the shortfall that industry entrants find in LA and NYC – two of the most expensive cities in the world. By helping to remove the financial barrier of entry, we know more will have the opportunity to thrive,” said Calderón Kellett.

In the first year, The Creative Coalition plans to raise funds to provide a minimum of 10 grants, and mentoring and access to leaders in the entertainment industry to assist the grantee with their career goals.

“The entertainment industry is at its best when there is a wide range of diverse talent at every stage,” Apatow said.

Blum added: “This initiative is a great way to create opportunities for people who might otherwise not be able to get their foot in the door and, frankly, a great way for a lot of us to pay it forward by helping open up those doors.”

Applicants hoping to meet eligibility for the program must complete an application and meet the minimum requirements for consideration, which includes confirmation of a full-time position or offer, an assistant or equivalent entry-level title and a need for financial support.

2024 FUNDRAISING
Help us achieve our goal by DONATING HERE!

Every dollar helps. Share with your friends, family, coworkers, and employer to help make a difference.
GOAL: $150,000

For more information on becoming a member of The Creative Coalition’s NextGen Board, or for other inquiries, please contact Alyssa Dudek at adudek@thecreativecoalition.org.

Your donation will support us in our mission to create a more equitable and diverse arts and entertainment industry, and help to ensure that the arts are accessible for all.