MFA Boston Staff Mutual Aid Fund
Donation protected
The MFA Boston Mutual Aid Fund is a community-based fundraiser independent of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston established by and for the workers of the MFA. It is run by current and former colleagues who believe in mutual aid as one significant way to demonstrate collegiality and support.
This Fund aims to provide support to MFA Boston staff members who need it following the March closure of the museum in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent furloughs, and staff layoffs announced Friday July 31, 2020. While the MFA has provided severance packages to many staff members whose positions were eliminated and MFA board members and volunteers have continued to support the institution, the MFA Boston Mutual Aid Fund aims to signal solidarity and offer direct immediate support to current and former colleagues facing financial hardship, food insecurity, and housing insecurity.
Overburdened unemployment systems have often been unable to offer immediate relief, and at the time of writing, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation that offered $600 additional benefits per week ended July 30, 2020. We are concerned that our friends and colleagues who have experienced job loss or extended furlough most likely will not have access to this federal program.
Who we are
We are a group of current and former MFA colleagues who wish to support one another through mutual aid. If you want to join in coordinating these efforts, please reach out to us through the "contact" option via the GoFundMe Platform at the bottom of the page.
Where will our donations go?
Donations will go directly to MFA Boston staff (Full time, part time, MFA Restaurant Associates staff , MFA C&W Services staff, term contract staff, fellows, teen staff, interns) who have been laid off or had their furloughs extended between March and July 2020, and who need support covering rent, bills, food, and medical expenses.
We will try to prioritize those hardest hit, especially those who are getting laid off now in the absence of enhanced pandemic unemployment compensation, those who have had their furlough continued without continued recourse to pandemic unemployment compensation, and those who have seen a drastic drop off in their income since March because unemployment compensation does not cover them adequately.
How do we decide who gets help?
The Fund is for MFA Boston staff who were laid off or furloughed, or experiencing financial hardship. Depending on the amount of money we are able to raise, individuals can expect to have the option to receive amounts up to $500, with consideration of additional funds for extraordinary circumstances. Requests will be processed by Google Form submission. Please reach out to us via the "contact" option on this page in order to receive it.
How do we withdraw and distribute the money?
A separate, no-interest bank account has been established specifically for the MFA Boston Mutual Aid Fund. After submitting a request, individuals will be contacted to determine the best method of disbursement, whether through check or online transfer to their bank account. Organizing members of the MFA Boston Mutual Aid Fund will review the Google form requests to ensure accurate information is provided for distributing the funds.
What will you do with leftover funds?
We do not anticipate leftover funds. We understand financial need will be immediate upon news of layoff or extended furlough and we will be working hard to fundraise and to disburse the funds. We have a large staff, and with the uncertainty of the near and long-term future, we hope to continue to support colleagues in an immediate and concrete manner by fully disbursing this Fund carefully, thoughtfully, but efficiently and quickly.
This Fund aims to provide support to MFA Boston staff members who need it following the March closure of the museum in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent furloughs, and staff layoffs announced Friday July 31, 2020. While the MFA has provided severance packages to many staff members whose positions were eliminated and MFA board members and volunteers have continued to support the institution, the MFA Boston Mutual Aid Fund aims to signal solidarity and offer direct immediate support to current and former colleagues facing financial hardship, food insecurity, and housing insecurity.
Overburdened unemployment systems have often been unable to offer immediate relief, and at the time of writing, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation that offered $600 additional benefits per week ended July 30, 2020. We are concerned that our friends and colleagues who have experienced job loss or extended furlough most likely will not have access to this federal program.
Who we are
We are a group of current and former MFA colleagues who wish to support one another through mutual aid. If you want to join in coordinating these efforts, please reach out to us through the "contact" option via the GoFundMe Platform at the bottom of the page.
Where will our donations go?
Donations will go directly to MFA Boston staff (Full time, part time, MFA Restaurant Associates staff , MFA C&W Services staff, term contract staff, fellows, teen staff, interns) who have been laid off or had their furloughs extended between March and July 2020, and who need support covering rent, bills, food, and medical expenses.
We will try to prioritize those hardest hit, especially those who are getting laid off now in the absence of enhanced pandemic unemployment compensation, those who have had their furlough continued without continued recourse to pandemic unemployment compensation, and those who have seen a drastic drop off in their income since March because unemployment compensation does not cover them adequately.
How do we decide who gets help?
The Fund is for MFA Boston staff who were laid off or furloughed, or experiencing financial hardship. Depending on the amount of money we are able to raise, individuals can expect to have the option to receive amounts up to $500, with consideration of additional funds for extraordinary circumstances. Requests will be processed by Google Form submission. Please reach out to us via the "contact" option on this page in order to receive it.
How do we withdraw and distribute the money?
A separate, no-interest bank account has been established specifically for the MFA Boston Mutual Aid Fund. After submitting a request, individuals will be contacted to determine the best method of disbursement, whether through check or online transfer to their bank account. Organizing members of the MFA Boston Mutual Aid Fund will review the Google form requests to ensure accurate information is provided for distributing the funds.
What will you do with leftover funds?
We do not anticipate leftover funds. We understand financial need will be immediate upon news of layoff or extended furlough and we will be working hard to fundraise and to disburse the funds. We have a large staff, and with the uncertainty of the near and long-term future, we hope to continue to support colleagues in an immediate and concrete manner by fully disbursing this Fund carefully, thoughtfully, but efficiently and quickly.
Fundraising team: MFA Boston Mutual Aid Fund (2)
Jordan Barnes
Organizer
Boston, MA
Sophia Walter
Team member