CERF receives its largest gift

The Craft Emergency Relief Fund has received a $2 million endowment from the Windgate Foundation, which will provide an annual grant to help underwrite CERF’s administrative expenses in perpetuity, and thus support the organization’s mission to help artists working in craft disciplines build strong and sustainable careers.

“This gift from Windgate Foundation is really a game changer for CERF as it ensures our long-term sustainability, which is a very hard thing to do these days in the non-profit world,” says its executive director, Cornelia Carey.

Founded in 1985, CERF has assisted hundreds of professional artists working in craft disciplines - including woodworking - with emergency financial assistance, as well as resources and educational programs designed to strengthen and sustain their careers.

The foundation has been a long-time supporter of CERF.

“The Windgate Foundation is pleased to have been a partner with CERF since 2005 and appreciates how they have grown their programs and resources for craft artists, particularly with disaster relief assistance,” says Pat Forgy, the foundation’s executive director.

“We are proud to continue our support by establishing an endowment fund at the Arkansas Community Foundation on their behalf. It is our hope others will also donate to this fund to help CERF continue with their vitally important work.”

For more, visit www.cerfplus.org.

This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue.