Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has announced a $1 million emergency grant—made in the name of the Broadway community—to the Entertainment Community Fund.

The grant will provide immediate assistance and services for entertainment professionals who have been affected by the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes. Although the WGA strike ended in late September, actors are still on strike. Broadway Cares is the single largest financial supporter of the Entertainment Community Fund, awarding $7.6 million this year in support of its safety net of services, including the Friedman Health Center, the HIV/AIDS Initiative, and the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative.

“Countless entertainment community colleagues, those in front of and behind the camera, are struggling to cover healthcare expenses, pay for essentials like food and rent, and otherwise care for their families,” said Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS executive director Tom Viola. “The effects of this work stoppage are sure to ripple through the industry for weeks, if not months. Many in our theater community also work in television and movies. We’re committed to doing what we can to help all those who work so diligently to entertain us—who make us laugh, cry and feel—keep a roof over their heads, put food on their tables and get the medical care they need.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Vesnaandjic)