Red Buckets are back! With the return of spring, it’s time for our theater community to unite for another season of giving
Photo by Michael Hull
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 essential 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 grantmaking.
Help Your Community 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.
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 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 a few examples from recent appeals that we love.
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 are so grateful to have shared this afternoon/evening with you.
Now, on your way out, we’re hoping we can all come together to share just a little more.
This is the time of year when you will see cast members and volunteers with the iconic Red Buckets welcoming donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
You can help us ensure that Broadway Cares sustains vital efforts for those in our theater community – onstage, backstage and behind the scenes – through the safety net of services provided by the Entertainment Community Fund.
Your donations also support the work of hundreds of other social service agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. That’s food banks, health clinics, housing programs and more.
And, at times of crisis, your support helps provide emergency humanitarian aid across the US and around the world.
Together, we can provide meals and medication, health care and hope.
[Mention of poster and Playbill sales]
On your way out you will see cast members and volunteers holding those Broadway Cares Red Buckets.
We accept cash, credit cards and you can tap to pay. No donation is too small … or too big. Anything you can give is appreciated.
Thank you for joining us in doing something good simply by making a difference for those in need.
Where Does the Money Go?
Entertainment Community Fund Broadway Cares provided $8.4 million to the Entertainment Community Fund in 2025 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.
