The Commission on Eliminating Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equity in the Workplace has set its fundraising sights on the entertainment industry. The Anita Hill-led organization — which show biz execs helped launch back in December — is calling on Hollywood to donate, and by extension, help bankroll its efforts for the next five years. “All the major networks, studios, talent agencies, and guilds are being asked to contribute to cover the cost of [the Commission’s] work,” Deadline reports.
“Everybody’s being asked to pitch in,” the source confirms. “Each organization is being asked to make a financial contribution, at different levels. There are a lot of start-up costs. They have circulated a budget, and they’re trying to fund the budget.”
The Commission’s budget, estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million per year, has already received “a sizable amount” from the DGA. The org has also requested $500,000 from WGA West, to be paid in annual installments of $100,000. WGA West has already approved the first payment and will re-evaluate its donation plan next year.
The Commission is dedicated to reforming Hollywood and creating a safer environment for women and other marginalized individuals. Part of Time’s Up’s multi-pronged initiative to end harassment in and out of show business, the Commission focuses on issues including power imbalance, sexual harassment guidelines, education and training, accountability, and research and data collection. It is also in the midst of reviewing — and potentially adopting — technology systems to identify sexual predators.
Hill brought workplace sexual harassment into the national spotlight when she testified at Clarence Thomas’ Senate confirmation hearings in 1991. “I’m proud to be leading this newly-formed Commission on a long overdue journey to adopt best practices and to create institutional change that fosters a culture of respect and human dignity,” she said when the Commission was announced. “It is time to end the culture of silence. I’ve been at this work for 26 years. This moment presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to make real change.”
“Scandal” star and #TimesUp supporter Kerry Washington portrayed Hill in HBO’s Emmy-nominated 2016 TV movie “Confirmation.”
Check out the other orgs and individuals who attended the Commission’s launch and have been asked to provide financial support below, courtesy of Deadline:
- Film Academy CEO Dawn Hudson
- AMPTP president Carol Lombardini
- TV Academy president and CEO Maury McIntyre
- Association of Talent Agents executive director Karen Stuart
- Recording Academy president Neil Portnow
- Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger
- Paramount chair and CEO Jim Gianopulos
- CBS chair and CEO Leslie Moonves
- Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos
- Warner Bros. chair and CEO Kevin Tsujihara
- Sony chair and CEO Tony Vinciquerra
- Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chair Jeff Shell
- Amazon svp of business development Jeff Blackburn
- CAA co-chair Bryan Lourd
- WME co-chair Ari Emanuel
- UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer
- ICM Partners founding partner Chris Silbermann
- SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris
- DGA national executive director Russ Hollander
- WGA West executive director David Young
- PGA associate national executive director/COO Susan Sprung
- WGA West executive director David Young
- IATSE vp Mike Miller
- Atlantic Records chair and COO Julie Greenwald
- Universal Music Group chair and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge
