Publisher's Lunch: King's Haven

BevVincent

The Haven Foundation, created by Stephen King to provide financial assistance to  writers and artists "experiencing career-threatening illness, accident, natural disaster or other emergency or personal catastrophe," has announced that they are now able to start making grants of up to $25,000 a year to those in need. Seed money for the foundation was raised in part by last year's Harry, Carrie and Garp readings at Radio City Music hall.



Foundation site

http://www.thehavenfdn.org/

BevVincent

The full Haven Foundation press release:



KING’S “HAVEN” FOR WRITERS & ARTISTS IN NEED



Just about one year after Stephen King, John Irving & J. K. Rowling performed in the two-night, sold-out, “HARRY, CARRIE and GARP” Radio City Music Hall benefit, Stephen King and the Board of Directors of The Haven Foundation announce that they have raised enough money to begin offering grants. The Haven Foundation was founded by King to provide financial assistance to writers and artists who, because of an injury or illness, are not able to provide for themselves or their loved ones. The charity offers a wide range of support for artists who make their living on a freelance basis and might not be able to work for a period of time.



King, who survived a near fatal accident in June of ’99, required several years of medical attention. But he often wondered what it would have been like had he not had his own financial resources. Recovery was a struggle but he realized at the time how overwhelming it would be for someone who suffered from an injury or an illness and, as a result, also lost their ability to earn a living. These people need help and there are few organizations they can turn to. Even with medical insurance, when a freelancer is not working, they are not being paid and that adds an enormous financial burden to an already traumatic situation. The Haven Foundation was set up to deal with people in situations like this.



As King has noted:



The majority of mid-list writers, audio readers, artists and freelancers have little or no financial cushion in the event of a sudden catastrophic accident. Many aren’t affiliated with any professional associations or guilds that can help them in the event of such reversals. Even those who are affiliated with organizations such as The Authors’ Guild cannot look for much beyond token help over a short period of time.



My response to this has been the creation of The Haven Foundation.



… to establish a compassionate and committed group of board members willing to sift through cases and identify those where the need seems to be the greatest. These “greatest need” cases would be freelance artists who have found themselves unable to work due to disease or accident.



… to help a number of these individuals each year, based on need.



King and the Foundation want to get the word out through groups and associations that this aid is available. At the same time, the Foundation itself needs continuing support so writers, publishers and artists (especially those who have done well in these businesses) are urged to make a donation to help those less fortunate. Both donors and potential recipients can find out more information by visiting Stephen King’s website, www.stephenking.com and clicking on The Haven Foundation or going directly to www.thehavenfdn.org .