The Brooklyn Museum Mutual Aid Fund
Donation protected
The Brooklyn Museum Mutual Aid Fund supports fellow and former colleagues facing financial hardship, food insecurity, and housing insecurity. Following the March 13th closure of the museum in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and more recent furloughs and layoffs, this fund aims to provide direct support to Brooklyn Museum community members who need it.
During the crisis, our team has been giving their heart and soul to care for the museum. The Brooklyn Museum draws its strength from its staff, and we want to give back and support them.
The overburdened unemployment system of New York State is unable to offer immediate relief. At the time of this writing, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation that offers $600 additional benefits per week is slated to end July 30th. We are concerned that our friends and colleagues most likely will not have access to this federal program. Additionally, many have already been struggling to thrive in gentrified New York; at minimum wage and part-time for our front-of-house staff, or on the salaries of the cultural sector.
The Brooklyn Museum is a part of New York City’s tourism industry, which normally welcomes approximately 53.1 million domestic visitors and 12.4 million international tourists annually. We are now operating in a moment where funding for the arts has been dramatically slashed. As the pandemic continues to ravage the national and global economy, we do not know what the future holds.
What we do know is that in Brooklyn, we take care of our own.
Where will our donations go?
Donations will go directly to current and former Brooklyn Museum staff ( FT, PT, Fellows, Teen Staff, Interns, Volunteers) who need support covering rent, bills, food, student loans, and medical expenses. We will try to prioritize those hardest hit.
How do you decide who gets help?
The fund is for Brooklyn Museum staff who were furloughed or laid off, and current struggling staff members. Depending on the amount of money we are able to raise, individuals will have the option to receive amounts between $100-$500. 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 you withdraw and distribute the money?
A separate bank account has been established specifically for the BKM Mutual Aid. Individuals will have the option of receiving a check or online transfer.
What will you do with leftover funds?
We have a large staff, and with the uncertainty of the near and long-term future, we hope to continue to support our staff as long as needed with this fund.
Who we are
The BKM Mutual Aid Fund is a community-based fundraiser independent of the Brooklyn Museum established by and for the workers of the Brooklyn Museum. It is run by current and former colleagues who support and love our BKM family.
If you want to join in these efforts, please reach out to us through the "contact" option via the GoFundMe Platform at the bottom of the page.
[Photo Credit: Jonathan Dorado]
During the crisis, our team has been giving their heart and soul to care for the museum. The Brooklyn Museum draws its strength from its staff, and we want to give back and support them.
The overburdened unemployment system of New York State is unable to offer immediate relief. At the time of this writing, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation that offers $600 additional benefits per week is slated to end July 30th. We are concerned that our friends and colleagues most likely will not have access to this federal program. Additionally, many have already been struggling to thrive in gentrified New York; at minimum wage and part-time for our front-of-house staff, or on the salaries of the cultural sector.
The Brooklyn Museum is a part of New York City’s tourism industry, which normally welcomes approximately 53.1 million domestic visitors and 12.4 million international tourists annually. We are now operating in a moment where funding for the arts has been dramatically slashed. As the pandemic continues to ravage the national and global economy, we do not know what the future holds.
What we do know is that in Brooklyn, we take care of our own.
Where will our donations go?
Donations will go directly to current and former Brooklyn Museum staff ( FT, PT, Fellows, Teen Staff, Interns, Volunteers) who need support covering rent, bills, food, student loans, and medical expenses. We will try to prioritize those hardest hit.
How do you decide who gets help?
The fund is for Brooklyn Museum staff who were furloughed or laid off, and current struggling staff members. Depending on the amount of money we are able to raise, individuals will have the option to receive amounts between $100-$500. 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 you withdraw and distribute the money?
A separate bank account has been established specifically for the BKM Mutual Aid. Individuals will have the option of receiving a check or online transfer.
What will you do with leftover funds?
We have a large staff, and with the uncertainty of the near and long-term future, we hope to continue to support our staff as long as needed with this fund.
Who we are
The BKM Mutual Aid Fund is a community-based fundraiser independent of the Brooklyn Museum established by and for the workers of the Brooklyn Museum. It is run by current and former colleagues who support and love our BKM family.
If you want to join in these efforts, please reach out to us through the "contact" option via the GoFundMe Platform at the bottom of the page.
[Photo Credit: Jonathan Dorado]
Organizer
BKM Mutual Aid
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY