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September is National Preparedness Month Mollie Quinlan-Hayes, NCAPER Executive Director Being prepared means thinking about what you will do if the unexpected happens. Making decisions ahead of time lets you act more quickly, more safely and more intentionally. Small actions can make a big difference! Here are suggestions for whether you have ten minutes, 30 […]
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month celebrated each May, this year CERF+ is highlighting wellness for craft artists. Wellness matters because it forms the foundation for how people think, create, and connect with others. When physical, mental, and emotional health are supported, individuals are better able to focus, sustain meaningful work, and thrive over […]
By: Nichole Potzauf, CERF+ Director of Advancement At the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), transparency, trust, and a deep culture of care guide how we work with craft artists and the supporters who make our mission possible. We are proud to share that CERF+ has consistently earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, the […]
By: Lindsey Hayakawa, CERF+ Advancement Coordinator The First Decade: 1985 – 1995 The story of the Craft Emergency Relief Fund began with the “passing of a hat.” Glass artist Josh Simpson remembers returning each year to the American Craft Council’s Northeast Craft Fair in Rhinebeck, New York in the early 1980s. “All of us had […]
This past summer, CERF+ tried something new: a four-day workweek pilot! We partnered with ISO Arts Consulting to see how it would affect staff productivity, wellness, collaboration, and overall organizational effectiveness. The results? So positive that, after some careful evaluation, we decided to make the four-day workweek permanent in October 2025. Now, we’re excited to […]
Work-life balance is an important part of overall wellness for employees across all fields, and CERF+ recognizes that the nonprofit sector is especially prone to burnout, poor work-life balance, and excessive time demands. Our commitment to generosity, inclusion, and care manifests in the way we organize resources, interact, communicate, and connect with others. This philosophy […]
How to Make Art Work during Uncertain Times When it feels like the only pattern these days is uncertainty, how can artists and arts organizations continue with their creative journeys? There is no simple answer, but we compiled some resources and considerations that may be helpful as we navigate these challenging times together. Lost a […]
Helene Recovery Resources As part of our efforts to support the long term recovery of craft artists affected by Hurricane Helene, we have compiled several recovery resources for those affected by Hurricane Helene. We will continue to update this page as more resources become available. Appalachian Community Capital Western North Carolina Grant Asheville Water […]
Mindfulness: Spring Clean Your Mind By: Kim Sudol, CERF+ Senior Administrative Manager All photos by Kim Sudol It’s safe to say that spring has finally arrived. In Vermont, this means temperatures rise as snow melts, unveiling not only sprouting flowers and budding trees but also revealing all the garbage that was concealed by snow cover. […]
By: CERF+ Executive Director Ruby Lopez Harper Disaster readiness. I know, no one wants to talk about it. It isn’t “sexy” or “media-worthy.” It isn’t something anyone wants to or has the time or capacity to talk about. Let’s face it, organizations and artists are just trying to live right now. But hear me out. […]
