The Los Angeles Press Club is pleased to announce the establishment of an Emergency Fund for Southern California journalists. The fund is made possible through a grant from HFPA, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
“The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has long been committed to giving back to the community,” said Lorenzo Soria, president of the HFPA. “The pandemic has greatly impacted our industry and we wanted to provide aid to fellow journalists in these difficult and uncertain times.”
The fund is immediately open for applications, recognizing the hardship put on journalists through the Coronavirus pandemic and/or the changing media landscape.
Applicants do not need to be members of the Los Angeles Press Club nor HFPA, but need to reside in Southern California. The application form is available on the L.A. Press Club website and the distribution of funds will start in April.
“So many of our colleagues are on the front lines covering the Coronavirus pandemic trying to keep you — and themselves — safe. Other journalists are reeling from the economic impact — pay cuts, reduced hours, loss of jobs and the realization some jobs may not be coming back soon,’’ said L.A. Press Club President Emeritus and NBC4 Anchor/Reporter Robert Kovacik. “We are very grateful to our friends at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who reached out to us with the willingness to help journalists who may be struggling during this difficult time.” Kovacik will spearhead the Emergency Fund Committee. A four-person committee will review the applications and all information received will remain confidential.
The Los Angeles Press received $25,000 as seed grant money from HFPA for this fund and are pursuing contributions from other sources. The LAPC is hoping to make this a permanent emergency fund. To contribute to the fund, click here! All donations are fully tax-deductible.
The Los Angeles Press Club is a 501c3 charitable organization and has a long and storied history as one of the oldest and most prestigious journalist organizations in the country, serving the Southland since 1913. It is the only journalist organization in Southern California that represents journalists of all stripes — print, TV, radio and online.
The club hosts two major awards shows each year, the SoCal Journalism Awards and the National A&E Journalism Awards. More information at www.LApressclub.org.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association was founded in 1943 by a group of entertainment journalists based in Los Angeles. Since 1944, the group has hosted the annual Golden Globe® Awards — the premier ceremony which honors achievements in both television and film. The licensing fees from the Golden Globe® Awards have enabled the organization to donate more than $37.5 million to more than 70 entertainment-related charities, film restoration, scholarship programs and humanitarian efforts over the last 25 years. For more information, please visit www.GoldenGlobes.com.
