Photo by Todd Rosenberg
CHICAGO DANCE HEALTH FUND
Chicago Dance Health Fund provides short-term financial assistance to Chicago dance professionals diagnosed with a critical health need. In 2020, we broadened our grantmaking to include support for general health and wellness needs.
There are two grant opportunities through the Fund:
The Critical Health Need Grant is intended for those who are experiencing a critical health need in connection with their personal physical or mental health. A critical health need is one which arises from the applicant’s critical illness or injury, diagnosed by a medical or other health professional, which significantly and adversely affects the individual’s ability to work as a professional. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, doctor and hospital visits, surgery, medical testing, therapy, and medication. Funding of up to $5,000 is available annually.
The General Health and Wellness Grant is intended for those attempting to maintain their health and wellness. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, insurance premiums, medical bills, dental bills, and mental health sessions. Funding of up to $1,000 is available annually.
Chicago Dance Health Fund is a temporary assistance resource and is not intended for long-term or recurring support. Previous awardees may reapply after a 12-month period; however, such grant requests will only be considered on a case-by-case basis and where extraordinary circumstances exist.
Eligible expenses
Critical Health Need Grant:
Bills dated within 12 months of application date, but no more than 3 months (90 days) prior to application date
Bills for medical treatment or related services associated with the applicant’s critical health condition
General Health and Wellness Grant:
Bills dated within 12 months of application date, but no more than 3 months (90 days) prior to application date
Bills related to medical care, mental wellness, or dental care
Lab or vaccination fees
Copays or deductibles for medical encounters
Healthcare premiums
Eligible individuals
Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Applicant must be a Chicago area resident at the time of and for at least 6 months prior to the date of the application.
Applicant must be a professional in the Chicago area dance community.
A professional is someone who is a practicing or retired member of the dance community and who can affirm one of the following:
For practicing professionals: A substantial source of the applicant’s income in the prior 24 months was derived from being an active working professional in the Chicago area dance community as a dancer, choreographer, instructor, educator, class musician, and/or artistic, administrative or production personnel.
For retired professionals: A substantial source of the applicant’s income was derived, during an eight year career period, as an active working professional in the Chicago dance community as a dancer, choreographer, instructor, educator, class musician, and/or artistic, administrative, or production personnel.
“Professional” does not require formal affiliation with a dance company or production company; the term includes freelance/independent artists.
“Professional” does not include trainees or students.
Important to note
Critical Need or Health and Wellness Grants are awarded to cover current needs, rather than aged debts. Whenever eligible expenses are foreseeable applicants can apply in advance of such treatment. However, even if awarded in advance of the service, the grant will not be paid until the date when that service is actually provided. CDHF defines current bills as those provided within 3 months (90 days) from the date of the service.
The Fund typically dispenses payment directly to the healthcare provider for incurred and approved expenses on behalf of the awarded applicant. Exceptions, in the form of direct reimbursement to the applicant, may be made if the applicant has already paid for approved expenses. Request for direct reimbursement will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Late fees and penalties are not eligible expenses.
Applications are accepted all year long.
TESTIMONIALS
An enormous ’Thank You’ to Chicago Dance Health Fund for their financial assistance. No question this has been an exhausting year for artists… definitely would like to extend my gratitude for their willingness to help me (an accompanist and composer for dance but not necessarily a dancer specifically)… it speaks volumes to their commitment to helping the dance community at-large.
Robert Garrett
"Chicago Dance Health Fund came to my aid at an extremely vulnerable time personally. I had just founded Chicago Movement Collective, at the same time my husband was unfortunately let go from his job due to COVID cutbacks. We had both been using his insurance for daily health needs as well as weekly mental health visits with a talk therapist. Suddenly, during one of our most emotionally traumatic experiences, my husband and I lost our safety net. With little to no questions, Chicago Dance Health Fund gave us the support we needed. Organizations like the Chicago Dance Health Fund, that lift up the Chicago dance community, inspired me to found Chicago Movement Collective as my way to say "thank you" and also, keep Chicago dancing."
Ethan Kirschbaum
Photo by Todd Rosenberg
“I am incredibly honored to receive such a gift at this trying and uncertain time. Chicago Dance Health Fund was more than supportive as I could not fully pay for my medical bills due to loss of income related to COVID-19 and not having medical insurance. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your care back into our community. Many of us dancers have had the hardest time figuring out where we were going to find the means to pay for our medical expenses and Chicago Dance Health Fund was there for us. I will forever be grateful for all you do for our dance community.”
Cesar G. Salinas
“Thank you to Chicago Dance Health Fund for supporting me during this process with my physical and mental health issues. I have been overwhelmed with Post Covid Syndrome issues since my diagnosis last March with severe Covid. Grateful to have survived Covid my artforms have been affected and that is my livelihood. One of the most overwhelming issues to my body as a dancer is chronic fatigue and my depression which has affected me more than I would like. But the most important health concern taking top priority has been my teeth. Unable to afford dental work in the past, my teeth decayed and had to be extracted. It has been difficult to get this work done because as I lose more teeth, it affects my digestion, chewing and causes discomfort. The fund has allowed me to get some of this work done, alleviating this immense burden while I am unable to work because of this disability. I am extremely grateful to be supported by these emergency funds and honored to be a part of this community.”
Hereaclitus Here Vernon