Is the YouTube Shorts Fund Still Around?

No, the YouTube Shorts Fund is no longer available. YouTube distributed the $100 million Fund during 2021 and 2022, then replaced it with Shorts ad revenue sharing on February 1, 2023. Eligible YouTube Partner Program creators now receive 45% of the Shorts revenue allocated to them through YouTube’s Creator Pool.

Last verified August 2026 against YouTube’s official Help Center and announcement pages.

What replaced the YouTube Shorts Fund?

Shorts ad revenue sharing replaced the temporary Fund. Unlike the Fund’s fixed $100 million bonus pool, the current system allocates revenue from ads shown between Shorts and pays monetizing creators 45% of their allocation.

YouTube introduced the Shorts Fund as a $100 million program for 2021 and 2022 (YouTube blog — Shorts Fund, verified August 2026). YouTube’s current monetization policy identifies February 1, 2023 as the start of Shorts ad revenue sharing (YouTube Help — Shorts monetization policies, verified August 2026).

Why did YouTube shut down the Shorts Fund?

The Shorts Fund was announced as a $100 million fund distributed during 2021 and 2022, rather than a permanent monetization program (YouTube blog — introducing the YouTube Shorts Fund, verified August 2026).

After that period, YouTube incorporated Shorts into the YouTube Partner Program. The current model pools revenue from ads shown between Shorts, allocates that revenue according to eligible engaged views, and pays monetizing creators 45% of their allocation. This replaces a fixed bonus pool with ongoing revenue sharing.

How does Shorts revenue sharing work now?

YouTube pools revenue from ads shown between videos in the Shorts feed into a Creator Pool. It then allocates that pool among monetizing creators based on their share of eligible engaged views. Creators keep 45% of their allocated revenue, regardless of whether a Short uses music (YouTube Help — YouTube Shorts monetization policies, verified August 2026).

The Shorts route to the full YPP advertising tier requires 1,000 subscribers and 10,000,000 valid public Shorts views during the previous 90 days. An earlier fan-funding tier opens at 500 subscribers and 3,000,000 valid public Shorts views during the previous 90 days (YouTube Help — YouTube Partner Program eligibility, verified August 2026).

For a closer look at the two tiers, see YouTube Shorts monetization requirements and the broader guide to YouTube monetization requirements.

Is another Shorts monetization change confirmed for 2027?

No additional 2027 Shorts revenue-sharing change is presented here as confirmed. The previously cited page, YouTube blog — Partner Program updates for 2027, could not be verified as an authoritative announcement supporting the claimed February 1, 2027 change as of August 2026.

The verified current rule remains that the Shorts route to advertising revenue sharing requires 1,000 subscribers and 10,000,000 valid public Shorts views in 90 days (YouTube Help — YPP eligibility, verified August 2026). Treat YouTube’s Help Center as the source of record before relying on any proposed future change, including information in YouTube Partner Program 2027 changes.

How can you earn from Shorts before qualifying for YPP?

The retired Shorts Fund and the current revenue-sharing system had different eligibility models. The Fund used YouTube-selected eligibility and invitations; it was not simply a subscriber-threshold program. Current Shorts ad revenue sharing, however, requires YPP eligibility and acceptance of the Shorts Monetization Module.

Before reaching that threshold, creators can consider revenue sources that operate independently of YouTube, including sponsorships, affiliate offers, products, services, memberships, and voluntary fan payments. How to make money on YouTube explains these options in more detail.

FanBell is one direct fan-payment option. Creators can offer personalized shoutouts, private questions, small services, tips, or project support with no follower or subscriber minimum (how it works, verified August 2026). FanBell is free to start with no monthly fee and charges a 12% platform fee only when a fan pays; Stripe processing is separate (pricing, verified August 2026). Payments and payouts are handled through Stripe (how it works, verified August 2026).

Direct fan payments can run alongside YouTube monetization rather than replacing it. See how paid fan interaction works for the setup process.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for the YouTube Shorts Fund?

No. The Shorts Fund was a $100 million program for 2021 and 2022, and YouTube no longer operates it as an application or bonus program (YouTube blog — Shorts Fund, verified August 2026).

When did Shorts ad revenue sharing begin?

YouTube’s Shorts ad revenue-sharing model began on February 1, 2023 (YouTube Help — Shorts monetization policies, verified August 2026). It replaced the separate Shorts Fund bonus model.

How much does YouTube pay for Shorts now?

YouTube does not use a single fixed payment per Shorts view. It pools eligible Shorts feed advertising revenue, allocates it among monetizing creators, and pays each creator 45% of their allocated revenue (YouTube Help — Shorts monetization policies, verified August 2026).

Do I need to be in the Partner Program to earn from Shorts?

You must be in the YouTube Partner Program and accept the Shorts Monetization Module to receive YouTube’s Shorts ad revenue share. Independent fan-payment tools have separate terms; FanBell has no subscriber minimum, is free to start, and applies a 12% platform fee only when a fan pays (pricing and how it works, verified August 2026).

Ready to earn from your Shorts audience without waiting to clear a view threshold? Create your free FanBell page and set up your first paid offer in minutes.