empowering performers nationwide

Assist, Educate, Inspire

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering comprehensive professional development and educational resources as well as emergency financial and health assistance programs to SAG-AFTRA artists nationwide.

The Foundation values the essential contributions of performing artists to entertainment, media, the arts, and culture. In a rapidly changing industry and world, the Foundation is dedicated to providing SAG-AFTRA actors, voiceover artists, broadcasters, dancers, and other members with new and valuable tools to navigate industry shifts, along with training opportunities to hone and develop their craft.

In addition, the Foundation supports SAG-AFTRA artists throughout the various phases of a career in the arts, offering emergency assistance and scholarship programs to ensure no performer faces tough times alone.

The Foundation also encourages celebrated performers to give back through its children’s literacy program, Storyline Online, fostering a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.

Committed to education and community, the Foundation strives to create a supportive and innovative environment where performers can expand their skills to achieve their highest potential while staying grounded and knowing they have support in times of urgent need.

As a nonprofit organization, the Foundation relies entirely on gifts, grants, and donations to maintain all of its programs at no cost, and appreciates and applauds all of its generous donors and sponsors for their vital support.

To become a supporter, donate today.

Our Mission

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation provides vital assistance and educational programming to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA while serving the public at large through its signature children’s literacy program Storyline Online®.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is committed to equity, inclusivity and diversity in all of its programs, and strives to assist, educate and inspire SAG-AFTRA members so they may fully participate in their careers, regardless of race, national origin, ancestry, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, age or disability.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation has a zero tolerance policy against discrimination and harassment of SAG-AFTRA members, its employees and all persons involved in the operations of the Foundation.

Our Vision

We believe in a world where all artists can realize their dreams and children are empowered to create their own.

Our History

1985

SAG Foundation Incorporates

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation incorporates as a nonprofit organization and assumes responsibility for the Emergency Assistance Program, providing emergency financial assistance to SAG members in urgent need.

1987

Foundation Launches Dales Scholarship Fund

The Foundation begins fundraising and administering the John L. Dales Scholarship Fund, awarded to SAG members and their dependents for study at higher education institutions.

1991

Foundation Grants First $1M in Financial Assistance

The Foundation reaches its first milestone, raising and granting $1 million in financial assistance to SAG members and their families in need.

1996

Foundation Establishes Catastrophic Health Fund

The Catastrophic Health Fund is established to provide health plan coverage for SAG members and their dependents with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

1999

Storyline® Begins

The Foundation launches Storyline, a children’s literacy program where kids can dial-in and listen to children’s stories over the phone, read by well-known actors.

2001

The Business of Acting

The Business program is created, providing panels and workshops to educate SAG members on the business side of acting. Topics include auditions and self-tapes, professional reels, money management, social media, finding representation, branding, resume building, and career management.

Empty Date

Conversations Commence

The Conversations program is created featuring film and TV screenings and Q&As with actors and casts, as well as Career Retrospectives with acting legends. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were the first actors to participate in the Conversations program.

2002

The Start of Storyline Online®

Storyline becomes Storyline Online (storylineonline.net), a website that streams videos of well-known actors reading children’s books alongside animated illustrations. Storyline Online launches with five read-alouds.

2003

Foundation Grants $5M in Financial Assistance

The Foundation reaches $5 million granted in emergency financial assistance to SAG members and their families.

2004

The Creation of Casting Access

Casting Access is created and is named “Best Way to Meet Casting Directors” by Backstage Magazine.

2005

Storyline Online's First Million Views

Storyline Online reaches 1 million views worldwide.

2008

Actors Center Opens in LA

The Foundation’s Actors Center opens in Los Angeles. It includes a screening room, computer lab and classroom. It is the first professional facility and resource of its kind to provide free programs to support the careers of working actors.

2009

Foundation Grants $10M in Financial Assistance

The Foundation reaches $10 million granted in emergency financial assistance to SAG members and their families.

Empty Date

President JoBeth Williams

Actress and board member JoBeth Williams is elected President of the SAG Foundation.

2010

Conversations Go Live

The first live-streamed Conversations is ‘Conversations with Young Performers.’

Empty Date

Voiceover Lab Opens in LA

The Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab opens in Los Angeles as part of the Actors Center. The DLF VO Lab offers educational workshops in the field of voiceover, as well as recording booths for voice actors to book time to record independent projects or collaborative recording sessions with a trained audio engineer.

Empty Date

Annual Golf Classic Tees Off

The Inaugural Golf Classic is established in Los Angeles to benefit the Catastrophic Health Fund and the Emergency Assistance program.

Empty Date

Storyline Online Milestone

Storyline Online reaches 50 million views globally.

2014

Actors Center Opens in NY

The Foundation’s New York Actors Center opens, and includes a voiceover lab, computer lab and classroom for educational programs.

Empty Date

Foundation's YouTube Milestone

The Foundation’s YouTube channel reaches 1 million views.

2015

30th Anniversary Celebration

The Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Celebration, the inaugural Patron of the Artists Awards, honoring Rob Marshall, Megan Ellison and Lee Daniels with Patron of the Artists Awards, and Leonardo DiCaprio with the Actors Inspiration Award, is held in Beverly Hills.

Empty Date

Becoming the SAG-AFTRA Foundation

The Foundation announces it has become the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and will now support and assist all SAG-AFTRA members nationwide with a vital safety net and educational programming.

Empty Date

Breaking Ground in NY

The Foundation breaks ground on The Robin Williams Center for Entertainment and Media, a 154-seat, state-of-the-art screening room in New York.

Empty Date

On-Camera Lab Opens in NY

The New York On-Camera Lab opens at 1900 Broadway. It provides audition and self-taping services to SAG-AFTRA members. A technician records the session, serves as a reader, and offers creative feedback.

2016

The Robin Williams Center Opens

The Foundation’s Robin Williams Center for Entertainment and Media opens in New York with a Conversations tribute to Robin Williams featuring his colleagues Hank Azaria, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Bonnie Hunt and Barry Levinson.

Empty Date

George Heller Memorial Scholarship Assumed

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation assumes administration of the George Heller Memorial Scholarship Fund from the AFTRA Foundation, presenting the inaugural George Heller Memorial Scholarship.

Empty Date

Storyline Online Milestone

Storyline Online reaches 100 million views globally.

2017

Actors' Council Forms

The Actors’ Council is formed by charter members George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Helen Mirren, enlisting several fellow actors to champion the Foundation’s vital mission.

Empty Date

2nd Annual Patron of the Artists Awards

The 2nd Annual Patron of the Artists Awards, honoring Judd Apatow, Kathryn Bigelow, and Ted Sarandos with Patron of the Artists Awards, Lionel Richie with the Recording Artists Inspiration Award, and Kate Winslet with the Actors Inspiration Awards, is held in Beverly Hills.

2018

Formation of the Entertainment Industry Council

The Entertainment Industry Council is formed by charter members J. J. Abrams, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, enlisting fellow industry leaders to champion the critical work of the Foundation.

Empty Date

3rd Annual Patron of the Artists Awards

The 3rd Annual Patron of the Artists Awards, honoring Jeffrey Katzenberg and Spike Lee with Patron of the Artists Awards, and Harrison Ford and Lady Gaga with the Artists Inspiration Awards, is held in Beverly Hills.

Empty Date

First Emmy® Nomination

Storyline Online receives its first Emmy® nomination from the Daytime Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Special Class - Short Form Daytime Program.

2019

President Courtney B. Vance

Actor Courtney B. Vance is elected President of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

Empty Date

4th Annual Patron of the Artists Awards

The 4th Annual Patron of the Artists Awards, honoring Ava DuVernay, and Greg Berlanti with Patron of the Artists Awards, and Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Aniston with the Artists Inspiration Awards, is held in Beverly Hills.

Empty Date

On-Camera Lab Opens in LA

The Los Angeles On-Camera Lab opens at 5757 Wilshire. It provides audition and self-taping services to SAG-AFTRA members. A technician records the session, serves as a reader, and offers creative feedback.

2020

COVID-19 Drives Foundation to Virtual

The COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the industry, shifting the Foundation’s in-person business model in Los Angeles and New York, to serving all members nationwide through virtual programming.

Empty Date

President Vance's Weekly Fireside Chats

During the pandemic, President Courtney B. Vance initiates his weekly Fireside Chats, aiming to maintain a strong connection with the SAG-AFTRA community. Vance delivers 25 heartfelt video chats, offering solace and motivation to thousands of members throughout the challenging times.

Empty Date

Storyline Online Surges Amid Remote Learning

Storyline Online surges by more than 1000% in YouTube subscribers, video views and activity guide downloads due to school closures and remote learning at home.

2021

4,800+ Virtual Programs Produced for SAG-AFTRA Members

From 2020-2021, the Foundation offered over 4,800 virtual educational programs to more than 87,000 SAG-AFTRA participants online nationwide.

Empty Date

Storyline Online Milestone

Storyline Online reaches 500 million views globally and achieves a milestone of 500,000 subscribers on YouTube.

2022

Grants Over $7 Million in COVID Relief

From 2020-2022, the Foundation grants over $7 million in Emergency Financial Assistance for COVID relief to more than 7,500 members during the pandemic.

Empty Date

Testimonial of Support

“I am grateful for the resources the Foundation has made available for us actors during this unprecedented time. It’s really great to have an organization that is aware of our everyday needs.” - Joe H, SAG-AFTRA actor

2023

Breaking Ground in LA

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation breaks ground on a new state-of-the-art Center for Performing Artists in Los Angeles.

Empty Date

Grants over $11.5 Million in Assistance

During dual historic industry strikes, the Foundation grants over $11.5 million in Emergency Assistance to SAG-AFTRA members in financial crises, keeping roofs over heads, food on tables, and essential medical bills and utilities covered for thousands of members and their families nationwide.

Empty Date

Second Emmy® Nomination

Storyline Online receives its second Emmy® nomination from the Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards for Short Form Program.

2024

Meryl Streep Center Opens

The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists opens in Los Angeles, featuring the Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson Screening Room, Steven Spielberg & Kate Capshaw Reception, George & Amal Clooney Lobby, Cate Blanchett Classroom, Courtney B. Vance Boardroom, Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab including a main booth and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lin Manuel Miranda Solo Booths, Leonardo DiCaprio On-Camera Studio, Oprah Winfrey and Julia Roberts Virtual Classrooms, Nicole Kidman Lounge, Dwayne Johnson Editing Bay, Hugh Jackman & Deborra-lee Furness Performers Programs, Matt & Luciana Damon Balcony, Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively Balcony, Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez Balcony and our main offices.

Empty Date

50 Million Views

The Foundation's YouTube channel reaches 50 million views.

Employment

SAG-AFTRA Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, ancestry, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, age or disability.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Financial Transparency and Documents

View our 501(c)(3) letter.

View our Donor Privacy Policy.

View our Fundraising Disclosure Statement.

View our Anti-Harassment Policy.

View our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Statement.

View our Audited Financials for 2022, 2021, and 2020.

View our 990s for 2022, 2021, and 2020.