Elizabeth Brim, Blacksmith, teacher, and CERF+ grant recipient. Elizabeth has earned numerous honors throughout her career, including recognition as an Outstanding Artist Educator by the Penland School of Craft and as a Master Metalsmith by the Metal Museum.
Letter from Ruby Lopez Harper, CERF+ Executive Director
In 2025, we witnessed both the fragility and the fortitude of the craft community. Disasters did not slow. Day-to-day emergencies did not lessen. And yet, craft artists continued to show up for one another with extraordinary generosity and clarity about what they need to sustain their practice. This year was not only about responding to crisis, it was about deepening readiness. Artists are thinking differently about safeguards. Organizations are thinking differently about care. And together, we are strengthening the systems that allow craft to continue through uncertain times.
Our commitment remains steady and our purpose remains clear; provide meaningful, responsive, and accessible support when it matters most. We expanded participation in our programs, strengthened our educational offerings, and continued building the long-term organizational financial positioning necessary to meet the increasing need. None of this happens alone. It is made possible by donors, partners, peers, and the broader support infrastructure that understands that craft is not an individual pursuit but a shared ecosystem. We are grateful to stand shoulder to shoulder with the craft community and honored to play a role in its continued strength and thrive-ability.
Our Mission Statement
The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) provides craft artists with support and resources for disaster and emergency relief, education programs, and readiness grants to strengthen preparedness. Committing to generosity, inclusion, and care, we advocate for the thrive-ability of craft artists and craft as an art form.
Our Work in 2025
CERF+ distributed 1,483 grants totaling $3,592,303 to craft artists throughout the United States and its territories. Throughout this report, all data for 2025 refers to fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024-September 30, 2025).
Emergency Relief
In 2025, CERF+ disbursed a record $3,171,000 in Emergency Relief grants to 1,057 craft artists affected by practice-threatening emergencies. 2025 was an exceptional year marked by major disaster events that affected large numbers of craft artists. Over half of the grants distributed went to craft artists affected by Hurricane Helene. Other significant disaster events that affected multiple artists include the California wildfires, a severe windstorm in Vermont, and Hurricane Milton. Further, CERF+ assisted 59 craft artists who experienced accidents and 41 craft artists facing significant illnesses.
In addition to CERF+'s Emergency Relief grants, a total of $16,419 of gifts from Resource Partnerships (donations of equipment, materials, booth fee waivers, etc.) was also distributed.
Extended Relief Program for Craft Artists affected by Hurricane Helene
The Craft Emergency Relief Fund launched the Extended Relief Program for craft artists affected by Hurricane Helene in order to continue supporting their work and recovery. Working with the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), River Arts District, ArtsAVL, MountainBizWorks, Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, and Center for Craft, this pilot program provided long term relief for craft artists in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. The program awarded unrestricted $6,000 relief grants to 150 craft artists, distributed in monthly installments of $500 from late January 2025 through December 2025. Craft artists who received CERF+ Emergency Relief grants following Hurricane Helene and who were located in western North Carolina were considered eligible, and recipients of the Extended Relief Program were selected through a randomized lottery process. In addition to CERF+ general operating funds, the program is generously supported by contributions from the Ford Foundation, the Windgate Foundation, Haven Foundation and the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts.
Education Programs
CERF+ offers many preparedness resources online. Our Studio Protector is a comprehensive preparedness guide tailored to the needs of creative professionals. In addition, we offer resources on self-care for makers and past recordings of our webinars.
In 2025, 21 artists were selected to participate in the Native Craft Artist Readiness Program (NCARP), which included comprehensive training, networking opportunities, and resources. After successfully completing the program, each artist is awarded $10,000 in funding from CERF+ and the Windgate Foundation to support the development and implementation of sustainable art practices. Learn more about the 2025 selected artists.
NCARP is administered by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums in partnership with the Craft Emergency Relief Fund and Nest. Funding is provided by the Ford Foundation and Windgate Foundation. Additional support is provided by the National Folklife Network, a project by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Advocacy
We continue to engage in national cultural advocacy efforts, participating in cross-sector coalitions, contributing to policy conversations, and sharing field-informed perspectives on the needs of craft artists. Through invited panels, peer consultations, and ongoing connection with federal colleagues, we contribute to advancing stronger practices across the sector while ensuring timely information flows to and from the craft community.
Artwork by Andrea Vail, fiber artist and CERF+ grant recipient
Readiness Grants
In 2025, CERF+ awarded $404,884 in Get Ready grants to 412 craft artists. These grants provide up to $1,000 for activities to safeguard craft artists' studios, protect their practices, and prepare for emergencies.
"I will document past and current work to create a comprehensive digital archive of my portfolio. Not only will this protect my carer as a craft artist by expanding my audience and network, it will also provide protection for the equipment and a fail-safe backup of the documentation taken in case my physical work is lost or damaged." –Mia Donalson, artist and CERF+ Get Ready Grant recipient
Resource Partner Program
CERF+'s Resource Partner Program connects businesses and organizations that support CERF+ and help artists experiencing emergencies. We extend our deepest gratitude to the seven businesses and organizations that contributed $35,103 of supplies, equipment, and services to support CERF+’s mission and work in 2025.
American Craft Council (ACC)
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)
Penguin Pottery Supplies
Rio Grande
Salesforce
Skutt Ceramic Products
Sunshine Artist
If you have questions or would like more information about the Resource Partner Program, please contact CERF+ Advancement staff at (802) 229-2306 or at [email protected].
Major Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of our major sponsors, whose commitment and partnership make it possible for us to provide vital emergency relief and resources to craft artists in need.
Windgate Foundation
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
Mellon Foundation
Tremaine Foundation
Lenore G. Tawney Foundation
Ford Foundation
United States Artists
David Yurman
The Opportunity Fund
Snap Foundation
Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts
Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM)
Our Donors
CERF+ donors come from all walks of life, connecting around the goal to sustain CERF+ and support the artists we serve. Sustaining donors, Legacy Circle members, individual donors, and donors who made commemorative gifts each play a critical role in our work.
"I hand craft my furniture using primarily locally harvested wood. The wood is sometimes from salvaged trees. My pieces are made-to-order and designed to embody the Ghanaian artistry of my heritage as well as the simplicity of Scandinavian design by which I am so inspired." –Kwadwo Som-Pimpong, wood artist and CERF+ grant recipient
2025 Operating Revenue and Expenses
2025 Revenue
2025 Expenses
*Please note: these figures do not include net investment income of $411,621. These figures are unaudited.
Reflections from the Front Lines of Recovery
In 2025, craft artists across the country faced extraordinary challenges as major disasters—including Hurricane Helene in the southeastern United States and the devastating southern California wildfires—left widespread destruction in their wake. Hurricane Helene reached one of the largest concentrations of craft artists ever affected by a single event, placing unprecedented pressure on CERF+’s resources and capacity. As recovery efforts began in the Southeast, catastrophic wildfires in southern California further compounded the need, testing our organization on multiple fronts. In response, CERF+ launched an extraordinary and wide-reaching relief effort, prioritizing immediate support for craft artists and the communities they call home.
As we close this report, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who demonstrated that CERF+ is rooted in the practice of mutual aid—where individuals come together to support one another through times of crisis. In the aftermath of these disasters, individuals, organizations, and small businesses stepped forward with donations, offers of assistance, partnership, and priceless acts of kindness and solidarity. Your collective generosity made this critical response possible, and we are grateful and excited to carry our work forward into the future.
Featured Artists:
Cover artist: Elizabeth Brim. Elizabeth is a blacksmith as well as a teacher, living in western North Carolina. She's best known for feminine imagery in her ironwork. With a unique juxtaposition of the feminine and the ferrous, Elizabeth transforms the frilly dresses, fairy tales, and gender expectations of her childhood into remarkable works of social commentary.
Other featured artists and their artwork (in order of first appearance, L to R):
Pia Schliesseit
Ashley Rivers
Mia Donalson
Adam Maloney
Brandon Lopez-Cerrato
Reine Pavlik
Andrea Vail
Kwadwo Som-Pimpong
2025 Annual Report created by: Charity Hall, CERF+ Communications Manager