HEATRE BENEVOLENT FUND – THE ART OF CARING FOR ALL IN PROFESSIONAL TV, RADIO, THEATRE, LIVE PERFOMANCE, FILM AND ARTS MEDIA.

WEBSITE: www.tbfza.co.za

Your support is the applause that could save a life – perhaps your own.

WHAT IS THE THEATRE BENEVOLENT FUND?

The Theatre Benevolent Fund exists to maintain the dignity of professionals in that most precarious of occupations – SHOWBIZ.

The TBF is the only Arts & Entertainment Charitable Fund in South Africa, and was founded in 1964.

THE TBF is not a pension fund – it is free, it requires no registration, membership or monthly fee. If you are an Arts and Entertainment Industry professional, you are automatically part of the fund. (This is, to our knowledge - the only free Performing Arts Helpfund globally - in other countries ; a union or equity fee is paid to such a fund.)

The TBF is totally independent and is not in association with any other organisation, union, political party, or any other body in the private, public or governmental sector.

WHAT THE TBF DOES:
ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED:

The TBF is a welfare and humanitarian fund (it is registered as a Public Benefit Organization – PBO no: 930 000 322) with 18a tax certification ; that supports all individuals in all professions who have been connected to the performing arts (theatre, film, radio, tv , live performance , arts media )on a professional basis - at any stage in their lives, and in any manner whatsoever - and who now find themselves in financial difficulties due to old age or ill health, by providing care to them and their legal dependants, in the form of monthly financial grants; donations for funeral expenses; assistance with medical expenses; placement in care centres or old age homes etc.

IF YOU KNOW OF A PERFORMING ARTS PRO IN NEED:

If you know of fellow Performing Arts pro’s in desperate need due to old age or ill health ;having no other means of support- contact us at: (Click Here)

The identity of all beneficiaries are kept confidential to preserve their privacy and dignity.

CURRENT SUPPORT.

Currently the TBF permanently supports a large number of aged, seriously ill and destitute Arts professionals who have no-one else to care for them.

The TBF also helps on an ongoing basis with unforeseen medical costs of working Arts Pro’s and their legal dependants. These are costs not covered by medical schemes – serious cases such as: organ & bone marrow transplants, cancer treatment, hip replacements, cochlear transplants, expensive medication for chronic diseases etc.

The TBF is often required to help pay for funerals.

The TBF’s big dream is to create old age and care homes where members of the Arts and Entertainment Industry would be in a safe and welcoming environment.

THE TBF WORKS IN A PREVENTATIVE AND IN A PRO ACTIVE FASHION:

The TBF also holds free workshops with the voluntary help of various experts; to potential and current Arts & Entertainment Industry Professionals of all disciplines within the Industry on subjects such as :

* Creating your own work –a wide variety of subjects
* Tax issues
* Affordable medical schemes, pension plans, annuities, etc.
* How to run the business of Show business.

WHO RUNS THE TBF?

All board members are volunteers receiving no salaries and fees whatsoever.

The TBF secretary receives a small stipend every month.

The TBF spends no money on offices, company cars, company technology. It is run from board member’s own homes with their own technology at their own expense.

Board members consist of Arts and Entertainment Professionals from different disciplines within the broader industry.

Board members are selected during a well-publicised General AGM , open to the public and entire Arts industry.

This AGM is held every two years. (Most recent AGM – 2018 at The Market Theatre , JHB)

There are Board members, TBF Ambassadors and TBF representatives throughout South Africa.

The Current Executive Committee consists of: 

• Mr Barry Snow – Chairperson .
  
• Mr Peter Terry – Vice chair .
  
• Mr Hendrik van der Hoven – Treasurer .
  
• Ms Nicola Snow - Secretary .
  
• Mr Anthony Fridjon – EXCO .
  

OTHER BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDE:

• Mr Anton Dekker
• Ms Lizz Meiring
• Mr Richard Loring
• Mr Ivor Jones
• Ms Delia Sainsbury

TBF Ambassadors and Representatives:

• Mr Marius Meyer
• Mr Hugo Theart
• Mr Kosie Smit
• Ms. Gillain Linder
• Ms Jane Cross
• Prof Nico Luwes

THE TBF SECRETARY IS MS NICOLA SNOW.
Contact her: (Click Here)

THERE ARE ALSO A HOST OF TBF REPRESENTATIVES AND TBF AMBASSADORS FROM EVERY DISCIPLINE ,IN THE PERFORMING ARTS AS WELL AS THESE INDIVIDUALS HAILING FROM EVERY CULTURAL BACKGROUND IN SOUTH AFRICA.

All EXCO, Board Members, TBF Representatives and TBF Ambassadors are full time freelance Arts and Entertainment Industry Professionals and still have to earn a living and run their own careers, whilst handling the business of the TBF for no renumeration.

FINANCIALS OF THE TBF:
Banking Details:

Theatre Benevolent Fund - PBO Nr: 930 000 322

First National Bank
Account No: 6202 439 8671
Branch: Carlswald – 250 117 

FINANCIAL INFO:

The TBF receives no subsidies and income is solely derived from:

• Voluntary contributions from workers in the entertainment industry and sympathetic members of the public;
• Fund-raising projects by sympathetic theatre managements such as Gala theatre performances or special performances by performing artists.
• Bequests and donations.
• The TBF treasurer is an EXCO board member and a registered financial advisor.
• The TBF Financial records are open to public investigation, and are audited annually by the accounting firm of PJ Botes and associates. This accounting firm has been auditing the TBF’s books for the past decade.
• The Logistical, running and publicity material costs of the TBF amount to 9% per annum. All other funds are directly utilised for beneficiaries.

HOW THE TBF OPERATES:

Once the TBF is informed or becomes aware of a potential beneficiary – a legally required form (in accordance with SARS and the regulations on operating a PBO) is sent to the potential beneficiary to complete.

If the individual in question is unable to complete the form by themselves, someone is sent to help them.

The information on the form is then taken under advisement by the TBF EXCO.

At times, if required , discreet further enquiries are made.

If the beneficiary’s specific needs are found to be within the legal requirements PBO & SARS and mandate of the TBF, immediate action is taken to support the individual.

The TBF constantly monitors the situation of each beneficiary - providing not only financial aid, but practical help and support with specific needs.

THE IDENTITY OF THE BENEFICIARY REMAINS FULLY CONFIDENTIAL KNOWN ONLY TO EXCO AND OTHER BOARD MEMBERS.

HELPING THE TBF:

• You can make a monthly contribution by signing a debit order. Remember, it’s 18A – tax deductible.
• Make the TBF your beneficiary on the Woolworths My School/ My Village/ My Planet card- it’s free and can be done in retail shops and online. You could even split your beneficiaries between the TBF and your current one.
• Deposit a once off contribution directly into our bank account. Remember, it’s 18A –tax deductible.
• Buy a ticket to the shows that are donated by sympathetic managements and theatres.
• You can donate a show to the TBF by giving us a call or send an e mail: (Click Here) and we'll gladly collaborate with you regarding the arrangements.
• Visit and join our Facebook page, Twitter and stay informed with upcoming events, make comments and suggestions or trade information with other members in the entertainment industry.
• Donate a percentage of your box office, proceeds of CD, DVD, Book sales, sales of an Artwork to the TBF.
• Promote the TBF at your show/ performance/ event/festival and send a container around through the audience for immediate cash donations. Simply deposit the proceeds in the TBF bank account.
• Help the TBF to spread the word. Talk about the TBF in media interview, at events and performances. You could even send a hat round for cash donations!
• Display the TBF logo and details on your publicity material, a TBF banner and donation boxes at your venue or on screen at any event – high res logos available from the TBF. Simply contact us (Click Here)
• Organise an event, golf day, fundraising dinner, function, concert , charity auction in aid of the TBF. Contact us (Click Here)
• If you know of an Arts Professional in need within your area – take them a plate of food, provide transport, friendship, practical help.
• Artist Agents nationwide annually donate Christmas boxes filled with basic and a few luxury items to our permanent beneficiaries. Help them with donations of toiletries, groceries etc.
• The TBF can provide you with professionally recorded TBF information voice overs in all 11 official languages .These are all under 30 seconds and can be broadcast on radio , tv or at any Performing Arts event of any kind. Currently these voice overs are available on MP3 & MP 4 format which can be played at theatres performances and events. Contact us (Click Here)
• At times we are in need of well-known Industry “Faces “ to simply attend a TBF function or event to provide their presence and “Star Power “ as a means of supporting and promoting the TBF.
• The TBF sms line is sponsored by Die Boer theatre and is now permanently open: SMS TBF to 49701, donate R30.

WEBSITE: www.tbfza.co.za
FACEBOOK : Theatre Benevolent Fund
TWITTER: @TBFofSA
INSTAGRAM : tbfofsa

Postal Address
PO Box 583,
Halfway House
1685.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TBF:

WHY IS THE TBF NOW SUDDENLY RUNNING AWARENES AND FUND RAISING CAMPAIGNS:

The TBF has always raised awareness. However the main focus has always been on immediate help to those in need. And that, in itself is very time and energy consuming. Especially if you keep in mind that all TBF Board members, representatives and ambassadors are volunteers, receiving no renumeration and still have to run their own careers to earn a living.

Before the early 90’s Arts and entertainment Industry professionals could voluntary sign a document at the SABC, Artist agents and Arts Councils – donating 5% of every income cheque to the TBF.

This system has completely fallen by the wayside as our country and its operational systems in the Arts and Entertainment Industry evolved.

WHY ARE SOME PROFESSIONALS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTY UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR DEPENDANTS?

It’s a fickle industry. And most are self-employed with no other benefits or social grants. Often, especially amongst the more senior members of this Industry – they simply earned too little to afford a pension plan, medical plan or any other nest egg for their dotage. Some of them, for various reasons, don’t even qualify for a government pension.

A lot of them do not have families to support them.

Most of the current Professionals can only afford a basic hospital plan or an affordable medical scheme for themselves and their dependants and when a seriousmedical condition occurs, it doesn’t nearly cover the comprehensive costs.

WHY IS IT CALLED THE THEATRE BENVOLENT FUND IF IT ALSO INCLUDES TV, RADIO, FILM, LIVE PERFORMANCE AND ARTS MEDIA?

When it was originally founded in the 1960’s, it was called “THE ACTOR’S BENEVOLENT FUND.

Then the name changed to TBF and after many years of lobbying – PBO status was awarded.

If there is a name change now – the PBO status will be lost, along with the 18A tax certification and a number of years will be spent on a new application process.

WHAT THE TBF CANNOT DO:

In accordance with the regulations on PBO’s, SARS and the TBF mandate.

The TBF cannot:

• Provide loans.
• Financially support able bodied, healthy, younger professionals who find themselves in dire need simply due to a lack of employment.
• Provide study bursaries.
• Provide support to those in the Visual Arts.
• Provide funding for projects, productions , production companies , community groups or any other performing arts group or initiative.

THE THEATRE BENEVOLENT FUND - GIVING SUPPORT TO SOUTH AFRICAN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS LONG AFTER THE APPLAUSE HAS FADED AWAY INTO DISTANT MEMORY!!!

END.