Around 71% of NYC freelance artists and young creators have been stiffed on an invoice or ghosted after handing over work.

Don't Get Stiffed is building something that lasts for young freelancers and student creatives in NYC. Most of the grant goes into a free pocket zine that explains your rights in plain English and walks you through what to do when a client pays late or stops answering.

We're printing 500 copies and leaving them where freelancers already go, like libraries, CUNY campuses and community spaces, so the answers are there whenever someone needs them, not just on the day of an event. Every copy links by QR code to getpaidnyc.org, which we'll keep updated as laws and forms change, and our contract templates get a lawyer's review before they go to print.

The rest of the grant hosts free in-person sessions where people bring their own situation, break down real cases together, and hear directly from the people who handle these cases, like NYC's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, which has offered to join us. The goal is to put every resource in one place, so nobody feels lost, whatever their situation.

Everything created is 100% open source under Creative Commons with zero paywalls, zero ads, and zero app signup requirements. We are giving young NYC storytellers the legal armor they need so they can demand 50% upfront deposits and focus on creating art.

• Come to our first free workshop on Wednesday, November 18, 6 to 8 PM in Brooklyn. RSVP at http://getpaidnyc.org
• Want to help? We're looking for photographers to document our sessions and spaces to host upcoming ones, and we'd love to hear from anyone else who wants to volunteer. Reach us at hello@getpaidnyc.org