Since 1866, the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) has been helping watchmakers succeed in every way. What started as a guild with medical and employment benefits - by watchmakers for watchmakers - has evolved into a nonprofit organization with scholarship and award opportunities for students and institutions. Now, in light of the coronavirus pandemic that has drastically changed the way we live and work, HSNY is establishing the Working Watchmakers Grant aimed to assist industry professionals directly.
Made possible through generous donations, HSNY’s Working Watchmakers Grant will allocate $100,000 to support America’s watch and clock makers during this time of need. Payments of $1,000 will be made to 100 watchmakers on a first-come-first-served basis. Applicants must include proof of their employment (or prior employment if applicable), along with information on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected their business or income.
“It took us looking at HSNY’s history to realize what our next steps should be,” said HSNY President Nicholas Manousos. “New York watchmakers came together in 1866 to ensure their colleagues were taken care of. The Working Watchmakers Grant is today’s version of the altruism that led to the founding of HSNY. The application process is simple and grants will be paid quickly.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 2,700 watch and clock repairers in the country. HSNY’s Working Watchmakers Grant is made possible by generous donations from individual donors interested in the well-being of watch and clock makers. To learn more about HSNY’s Working Watchmakers Grant or to apply, please visit https://hs-ny.org/working-watchmakers-grant.