The Actors Fund of America
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND IS A NATIONAL HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION THAT FOSTERS STABILITY AND RESILIENCY AND PROVIDES A SAFETY NET FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS OVER THEIR LIFESPAN. (CONTINUED IN SCHEDULE O).
- Income
- $66.1 million
- Spending
- $64.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 9.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 48%
- Employees
- 415
- Volunteers
- 231
- Highest pay
- $1.0 million, president & ceo (non-voting)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (mutual benefit, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (mutual benefit, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2542 of 42 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $26.0 million spent. THE ACTORS FUND HOME IS A 169-BED HEALTH CARE FACILITY PROVIDING SKILLED NURSING, SHORT-STAY REHABILITATION, ASSISTED LIVING AND DEMENTIA CARE IN ENGLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, FOR MEMBERS OF THE PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY. THE HOME IS A GOLD STANDARD FOR SENIOR CARE AND A RECIPIENT OF THE HIGHEST RATING OF 5 STARS FROM THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, AS WELL AS A PERFECT SURVEY FROM THE NEW JERSEY STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. (SEE SCHEDULE O).PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT 1: THE ACTORS FUND HOMETHE ACTORS FUND HOME PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE AT A 169-BED HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN ENGLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY. SKILLED NURSING, SHORT-STAY REHABILITATION, ASSISTED LIVING AND DEMENTIA CARE IS PROVIDED THERE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY.
- $26.0 million spent. HUMAN SERVICES (SOCIAL SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING, HEALTH SERVICES AND SENIOR RESIDENTIAL CARE.) THE FUND HELPED APPROXIMATELY 26,000 PEOPLE THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THESE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS. (SEE SCHEDULE O).PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT 2: HUMAN SERVICES (SOCIAL SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING, HEALTH SERVICES AND SENIOR RESIDENTIAL CARE.)THE FUND'S HUMAN SERVICES OFFER COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MEET THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF ENTERTAINMENT AND PERFORMING ARTS PROFESSIONALS. IN 2024, THE FUND HELPED MORE THAN 25,981 PEOPLE THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.SOCIAL SERVICESTHE FUND OFFERS FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS A WIDE ARRAY OF CHALLENGES FACED BY PEOPLE IN PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. IN 2024, WE HELPED 11,274 PEOPLE THROUGH OUR FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS. THE FUND PROVIDED $7.6M IN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO 5,489 INDIVIDUALS.YOUTH SERVICESLOOKING AHEAD SUPPORTS YOUNG PERFORMERS IN DEVELOPING THE VALUES, SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE THEY NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO FULFILLING ADULT LIVES. IT SERVES YOUNG PEOPLE, THEIR PARENTS AND ALUMNI, THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING, EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL EVENTS. AS OF 2024, 1,102 YOUNG PERFORMERS ARE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM.THE CAREER CENTEROUR CAREER COUNSELING, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, JOB DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERVICES HELP PEOPLE FIND WORK THAT CAN BE DONE WHILE CONTINUING IN THE INDUSTRY OR WHILE DEVELOPING A NEW PROFESSIONAL DIRECTION. OFFERING CLASSES, SEMINARS, GROUPS, TUITION ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING, THE CAREER CENTER EMPOWERS PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO FIND FULFILLING WORK THAT COMPLEMENTS THEIR INTERESTS AND SKILLS. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM SERVED 3,299 PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS. CAREER TRANSITION FOR DANCERS AND THE DANCERS' RESOURCE THE FUND HAS LONG SUPPORTED THE DANCE COMMUNITY IN MANAGING THE DEMANDS OF A LIFE IN DANCE. TO ASSIST DANCERS DURING AND POST-CAREER, OUR CAREER TRANSITION FOR DANCERS AND DANCERS' RESOURCE PROGRAMS HELP OUR COMMUNITY AROUND CAREER PLANNING AND TRANSITION, HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SUPPORT FOR INJURED DANCERS, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS. IN 2024, 763 DANCERS AND CHOREGRAPHERS RECEIVED SERVICES AND CAREER TRANSITION FOR DANCERS PROGRAM PROVIDED $132,250 IN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO 53 DANCERS.HEALTH SERVICESOUR ARTISTS HEALTH INSURANCE RESOURCE CENTER PROVIDES WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS WITH COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON THE LATEST INSURANCE OPTIONS, AND HELPS INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFY AND ENROLL IN HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE. IN 2024, 4,030 PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM, WITH 2,415 COMPLETING ENROLLMENT IN HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM, THE FRIEDMAN HEALTH CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK CITY, IS THE ONLY HEALTH CENTER IN NYC SOLELY FOCUSED ON THE PARTICULAR HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO WORK IN PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. IT OFFERS PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE AND ACCEPTS MOST INSURANCES PLANS, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL INSURANCES, SEVERAL MARKETPLACE/EXCHANGE PLANS, MEDICARE AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION. IN 2024, 10,762 PATIENTS WERE SERVED.
- $3.7 million spent. AFFORDABLE AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS A CRITICAL CONCERN FOR MANY IN THE PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. WITH EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND THROUGH MARKETING OUTREACH, THE FUND HELPS PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS SECURE HOUSING; IT ALSO DEVELOPS AND OPERATES AFFORDABLE, SUPPORTIVE AND SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING THROUGH ITS SUBSIDIARY, THE ACTORS FUND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. (SEE SCHEDULE O).PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT 3: HOUSINGHOUSING IS A CRITICAL CONCERN FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK IN PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. THE FUND WORKS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE DOROTHY ROSS FRIEDMAN RESIDENCE, A 178-UNIT AFFORDABLE, AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING RESIDENCE ON WEST 57TH STREET IN MANHATTAN, NYC, PROVIDES HOUSING TO SPECIAL LOW-INCOME ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING SENIORS, WORKING PROFESSIONALS, AND PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. SOCIAL SERVICES AND A VIBRANT ACTIVITIES PROGRAM HELPED RESIDENTS BUILD COMMUNITY, FOCUS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND STAY ENGAGED, CREATIVE AND ACTIVE.THE PALM VIEW IS A 40 UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING FACILITY IN WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, THAT IS AVAILABLE TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS AND SENIORS WITH DISABILITIES. THE SCHERMERHORN RESIDENCE IN DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PROVIDES 217 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME PROFESSIONALS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND PERFORMING ARTS AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS, AS WELL AS FORMERLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS OR CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS. HOUSED IN THE BUILDING IS THE MARK O'DONNELL THEATER AT THE ACTORS FUND ARTS CENTER, A 2,000 SQ FT BLACK BOX THEATER THAT OFFERS LOW-COST REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE SPACE TO MORE THAN 60 SMALL ARTS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS EACH YEAR. IN ADDITION TO OUR THREE EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESIDENCES, OUR HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS, ONLINE INFORMATION VIA OUR HOUSING BULLETIN BOARD AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SEMINARS IN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1940.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.