DGA Monthly | Volume 2, Issue 8 - August 2005 - click here to return to Table of Contents
DGA Magazine VOL 28-3: September 2003

DGA Secretary/Treasurer Gil Cates and director Gil Cates, Jr. team up for doubles. - photo by Joe Coomber - click image for larger view.
Founded in 1945, the Directors Guild Foundation (DGF) has a rich history of generosity. Distinguished DGA board members and industry leaders such as Frank Capra, Cecil B. DeMille, John Ford and Howard W. Koch (who was the Foundation’s Chairman for over 20 years) were instrumental in developing the mission of the DGF. Current board members (including Delbert Mann, Gilbert Cates, Michael Apted, Jack Shea, John Rich, Ed Sherin and Steven Soderbergh) continue this proud tradition of service by providing confidential loans to Directors Guild of America members who are facing short term financial hardship.

In addition to assisting members in need, the Foundation is also a major contributor to the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Foundation funds have been used to build more hospital rooms, expand assisted-living facilities and support the MPTV Fund Health Care Centers to better serve DGA members and members of the entertainment community.

Since November 2000, the Foundation has been the sole underwriter for conservation and preservation of the DGA-Motion Picture Industry Conservation Collection at UCLA. This important collection, housed at the UCLA Film and Television Archive, is composed of new prints of feature films directed by our members under DGA agreements, ensuring that our work is preserved for future generations. As a result of the Foundation's support, 638 films have been archived to-date through this program.

The DGF heads into the 21st century continuing its vital mission of serving DGA members in need, supporting educational programs and directly supporting organizations that are responsible for the physical health and well being of DGA members and members of the entertainment community.

For more information about the Directors Guild Foundation, please contact Laraine Savelle at (310) 289-2038.

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