Less than two months after the Recording Academy and MusiCares established their COVID-19 Relief Fund, the latter has revealed that the entire fund is depleted and MusiCares is no longer accepting applications for funds.

Since being announced on March 14, the fund has raised almost US$14 million for music industry professionals whose livelihoods have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

MusiCares is a non-profit established in the late 80s as a place for musicians to turn to in times of financial, personal or medical crisis. Each year it raises funds at its annual MAP Fund Benefit Concert.

“Unfortunately, until we can raise more money for our COVID-19 Relief Fund, we can no longer accept new applications from those seeking assistance,” announced MusiCares in a statement, via Billboard. “While our goal is always to provide support to everyone in need, we are currently bound by the funds available.”

MusiCares also revealed that the $14 million raised is the most for any single event in the history of the foundation. “To date this year, we’ve vetted and approved 20,200 individuals to receive assistance. For context, that’s more than double the number of music people we typically serve in one year. But, there’s still so much work to be done.

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“We aren’t giving up and continue to work relentlessly to raise additional funds, while furthering our commitment to provide leadership in other ways.

“These initiatives include continuing our advocacy work in Washington D.C., providing guidance for artists as they navigate this new territory, and fostering discussions with a broad group of leaders about the future of our industry.”

Contributors to the fund have included companies like SiriusXM, Pandora and Spotify, but MusiCares ended its statement calling for more help.

“The effects of COVID-19 have been devastating to our music community and the need for relief remains dire.

“While we are incredibly grateful for all the support we have received and are humbled to be in a position to help those who are so desperately in need, the fight to help those struggling in our community is far from over.”

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