The Actors Fund Financial Wellness
Free financial counseling and planning services for entertainment industry professionals
Overview
The Actors Fund Financial Wellness program provides free financial counseling, budgeting assistance, and long-term planning services to entertainment industry professionals. Their counselors specialize in the unique financial challenges that actors face, including irregular income and career transitions.
Services include one-on-one financial counseling, group workshops on budgeting and debt management, and referrals to additional resources for specific financial needs. The program helps actors build sustainable financial habits despite unpredictable earnings.
How It Works
The Actors Fund has served the entertainment community for over 140 years, and their financial wellness program reflects decades of experience understanding how performers manage money. Counselors are non-judgmental and accustomed to working with clients at every income level.
All financial counseling services are provided free of charge to entertainment industry professionals. There is no income requirement or means testing to access the program.
Who Uses It
Take advantage of this free resource whether you are struggling financially or simply want to build better habits. Proactive financial planning during earning periods can provide critical stability during the inevitable dry spells in an acting career. The Actors Fund — now operating as the Entertainment Community Fund — has provided safety net services to entertainment industry professionals since 1882, making it one of the oldest and most trusted support organizations in the performing arts. Their financial wellness counselors are not generic financial advisors; they understand the specific realities of entertainment industry income, including the psychological aspects of managing feast-or-famine cash flow. The program is designed to be accessible and judgment-free, welcoming actors at every income level and every stage of financial wellness.
Pricing & Plans
All financial wellness services through The Actors Fund are completely free, with no income requirements, means testing, or eligibility restrictions beyond working in the entertainment industry. One-on-one counseling sessions are available by appointment, and group workshops on budgeting, debt management, and financial planning are offered regularly both in person and virtually. The program also provides referrals to pro bono or low-cost financial professionals for needs that go beyond counseling, such as tax preparation, bankruptcy guidance, or retirement planning. There are no hidden fees, no upselling to paid services, and no obligation to continue beyond a single session. The organization is funded through donations, grants, and the entertainment industry itself, which means the services are genuinely free in every sense. For actors in financial crisis, The Actors Fund also offers emergency financial assistance, which is separate from but connected to the financial wellness counseling program.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The greatest strength of The Actors Fund's financial wellness program is that the counselors genuinely understand the entertainment industry's income patterns — they do not judge actors for having irregular earnings or give generic advice designed for nine-to-five workers with steady paychecks. The program's completely free price point removes all financial barriers to accessing professional financial guidance, which is particularly important for actors who are struggling financially and cannot afford to pay for a financial advisor. Counselors help actors develop practical budgeting strategies that account for the reality of months with no income followed by months with substantial earnings, rather than assuming a steady monthly paycheck. The combination of one-on-one counseling and group workshops means actors can access both personalized guidance and community-based learning. The program's connection to The Actors Fund's broader support services means counselors can connect actors with emergency assistance, career counseling, and other resources when financial issues are symptoms of larger challenges. The confidential, non-judgmental approach encourages actors to be fully honest about their financial situation, which leads to more effective guidance.
What Could Be Better
Appointment availability can be limited, particularly during periods of industry downturn when demand for services increases, which means actors may need to wait for an available counseling slot. The program provides financial counseling and guidance but does not offer direct financial services like loans, investments, or tax preparation, so actors with needs beyond advice will need additional resources. While the counselors understand the entertainment industry, they are financial counselors rather than certified financial planners or licensed investment advisors, which limits the scope of guidance they can provide on complex financial matters. The program is most accessible to actors in New York and Los Angeles, where The Actors Fund maintains its primary offices, though virtual services have expanded access to regional markets. Some actors may feel uncomfortable discussing their financial situation even in a confidential setting, which can limit the effectiveness of the counseling. Additionally, financial counseling can identify problems and suggest strategies, but it cannot solve the underlying issue of insufficient income, which is the root cause of financial stress for many actors.
Our Recommendation
Every actor should take advantage of The Actors Fund's financial wellness program at least once — it is free, confidential, and tailored to your specific industry, so there is genuinely no reason not to use it. It is particularly valuable for actors who are just starting their careers and want to establish good financial habits before bad ones take root, as well as for experienced actors facing financial challenges due to industry changes or career transitions. If you are in financial crisis, do not wait — contact The Actors Fund immediately, as they offer emergency financial assistance in addition to counseling. Actors who are financially stable but want to optimize their saving, investing, or retirement planning should still consider a session, as the counselors can identify opportunities and strategies specific to entertainment industry professionals. For actors who need more specialized financial services than counseling provides, the program can refer you to vetted financial professionals who offer pro bono or reduced-rate services to performing arts professionals.
Pro Tips
Schedule a financial wellness appointment during a period when your income is stable rather than waiting until you are in crisis — proactive planning is far more effective than reactive damage control. Be completely honest with your counselor about your income, expenses, debts, and financial habits, as the quality of their guidance depends on having an accurate picture of your situation. Ask your counselor to help you create an entertainment industry-specific budget that includes a savings buffer for slow periods — the standard advice of three to six months of emergency savings is a minimum for actors, and many counselors recommend six to twelve months. Take advantage of the group workshops even if you have already had individual counseling, as hearing other actors' financial experiences and strategies can provide valuable perspective. If your financial situation changes significantly — a major booking, a long dry spell, or a career transition — schedule a follow-up appointment to adjust your financial plan. Keep the financial wellness program's contact information readily available so you can reach out quickly if an unexpected financial challenge arises.