How the industry, including the WGAW, rallied to save the historic charity.

(1/20/2023)

Last year presented the biggest challenge in MPTF’s history to its long-term sustainability as pandemic-driven financial shortfalls truly jeopardized their ability to take care of the most vulnerable members of the entertainment community. They sent out a direct, urgent, and bold message for support to sound the alarm to the entire industry that their ability to sustain the enterprise for current and future generations of entertainment industry members was at risk.

And the industry responded.

Between efforts like end-of-year donations, their live KTLA telethon, and many other kinds of contributions in the last two months by individuals, unions, and companies, the MPTF raised nearly $12 million and will continue to move forward.

The WGAW was among the industry unions that stepped up.

“WGAW is proud to play our part in bringing the MPTF onto sound financial footing for the new year. For a century, MPTF has been a safety net for the entertainment community, and with this gift we are saying, ‘We’ve got your back, too.’ We hope the outpouring of support from individuals and institutions in the industry continues and leads to a sustainable future for the MPTF,” said Writers Guild of America West President Meredith Stiehm.

That doesn’t mean the need to support MPTF is over: its fundraising starts over again in 2023. “We’ve stepped back from the brink,” president and CEO Bob Beitcher told Deadline last week. “We squeaked through our ‘whew moment,’ but the need is still there; it’s still urgent.”

You can support this vital charity by visiting the MPTF website.