The Entertainment Community Fund (ECF, formerly the Actors Fund) has provided more than $4.7 million in emergency financial assistance to more than 2,300 workers during the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes, Deadline Hollywood reports.

The fund currently provides one grant per applicant to cover basic living expenses, such as rent, groceries, health insurance, and medical bills, as well as mental health support. While ECF has raised more than $7 million from 8,400 donors since May, the fund expects inquiries to increase as the work stoppage continues.

The latest update indicates an additional $2 million in assistance from ECF since the end of July. The fund had previously been distributing approximately $400,000 to $500,000 per week to striking film and television workers, compared with an average of $75,000 per week before the strikes began.

“Each day, the calls for help increase; these gifts will immediately assist so many in our industry who are still struggling to recover after the pandemic,” said ECF chair Annette Bening, who also has contributed to the fund. “We also hope that these impactful gifts will inspire others, if they can, to donate to support our crucial work.”

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