Red Buckets are back! After a successful Spring Fundraising Campaign, it’s time for our community to unite for another season of giving.
Photo by Angela of York
What is Broadway Cares?
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS unites theater artists with theater lovers to help those in need.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the philanthropic heart of Broadway, helping ensure those affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses receive medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance.
Broadway Cares is the major financial supporter of the social service programs at the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), helping everyone in entertainment and the performing arts. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS also awards annual grants to 483 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., as well as providing emergency humanitarian aid across the US and around the world at times of crisis.
During six enthusiastic weeks of fundraising in the spring and fall, Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, national tours, regional, community and student productions join together to ask their audiences to donate after performances in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS grant-making. Broadway Cares also produces annual fundraising events in New York City, including Broadway Backwards, Broadway Bares and the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction.
Why Me?
Help Your Community Whether you need help tomorrow or in 20 years, the money you raise through Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will be there for you and your performing artist friends in the programs and support of the Entertainment Community Fund.
Help People in Need Across the Country and Beyond Whether you know it or not, someone sitting in your audiences on Broadway and across the country has likely relied on the support you’re providing by signing posters or Playbills, or staying a few extra minutes during the appeal. Broadway Cares’ National Grants Program supports people in need in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., providing meals and medication, health care and hope to folks facing HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses.
And, at times of crisis, your efforts help provide emergency humanitarian aid across the US and around the world.
Be Part of the Broadway Legacy Holding a Red Bucket and participating in the appeal for Broadway Cares is part of the rich history of the Broadway community. This is your chance to join the philanthropic spirit of Broadway.
The World is Crazy At times like this, when the whirlwind of political forces blows as strong as natural disasters, all of which puts the well-being of so many in jeopardy, Broadway Cares allows us to come together and make an impact that really matters.
Why Now?
Right now, Americans of every ethnicity, religion, orientation, identity, ability and economic status will turn to social service organizations across the country and the Entertainment Community Fund for a much-needed hand up and supportive shoulder. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will be there with our entire community – those onstage, backstage and in the audience – to ensure the help they need is there.
Broadway Cares remains the single largest financial supporter of the Entertainment Community Fund, which provides a safety net of social services for everyone in entertainment and the performing arts. Annual grants support The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts, the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, the Artists Health Insurance Resource Center and its Every Artist Insured program, The Dancers’ Resource, Addiction and Recovery Services, as well as other vital programs of the Fund.
Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., providing lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance. And, at times of crisis, Broadway Cares awards humanitarian grants to provide emergency aid across the US and around the world – these have recently included the wildfires in California and hurricanes Helene and Milton, which affected many across the Southeast.
Our commitment to those whose voices have been silenced or marginalized has never been stronger. We refuse to let fear or hate stand in the way of progress – lives depend on it.
What Can I Sell?
The easiest way to make an impact is by selling posters and Playbills autographed by your cast. We here at Broadway Cares also love it when you do amazing, out-of-the-box things to raise money.
The easiest way to raise extra funds is by selling posters and Playbills autographed by your cast. We also love unique, out-of-the-box approaches to making a difference.
From one-of-a-kind auctions of memorable keepsakes to pop-up photo opportunities with cast members, there are a myriad of easy ways you can boost your fundraising. If you want help brainstorming ideas, just ask us!
What Do I Say?
Don’t be nervous – anybody in your show can give the post-show audience appeal. Here are five secrets to a great Broadway Cares appeal.
Here’s a sample speech, but be sure to make yours personal. Please include the sentences in bold as they are essential to the message of Broadway Cares.
We’re so grateful to have shared this afternoon/evening with you.
Across Broadway and Off-Broadway right now, shows are coming together in a simple act of kindness – and we’re asking you to be part of it.
With your help this afternoon/tonight, we can ensure people facing challenging times get a healthy meal, see a doctor or have a safe place to sleep.
Your generosity will be shared by an organization that means a lot to all of us onstage and backstage – Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Their reach extends to hundreds of organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Broadway Cares also lifts up our colleagues through the Entertainment Community Fund. With programs like the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and The Friedman Health Center, those of us who bring Broadway to life can get the lifesaving care we need.
And when crises strike, your support is shared through emergency humanitarian aid across the country and around the world.
On your way out, you’ll see cast members and other volunteers holding the Red Buckets of Broadway Cares. Please give what you can. We accept cash, cards and tap to pay — every dollar makes a difference.
And for those who want a little extra incentive, we have [mention of signed posters, Playbills and other items available for a donation].
Thank you for helping us show once again that Broadway cares. Good night!
Where Does the Money Go?
Entertainment Community Fund Broadway Cares provided $6.5 million to the Entertainment Community Fund in 2024 to support performers, stage managers, musicians, technicians and everyone in the entertainment industry who needs a helping hand.
Emergency Grants As situations arise, Broadway Cares has historically awarded grants to provide relief during natural disasters and humanitarian crises close to the Broadway community’s hearts across the country and around the world. For more than 25 years, these grants have provided immediate, on-the-ground support to those nationally and internationally hit by devastating wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes and war.
New York City Grantees Broadway Cares’ grants support more than 80 organizations in NYC. From soup kitchens to youth empowerment programs, your work goes to help people in need right here in the theater district and in every borough and every corner of the city.
Your Home State Broadway Cares grants are provided to much-needed social and medical service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. No matter where in the country you’re from, Broadway Cares is sending money to help people there
City National Bank is pleased to partner with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to provide support for members of the entertainment industry during these most pressing times.
Gilead Sciences Inc. stands with Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS to make a difference for the most vulnerable. Gilead is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide with headquarters in Foster City, CA.
