Red Buckets are back! After an incredible fall fundraising campaign, it’s time for our community to gather for another season of giving.
✛ What is Broadway Cares?
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS unites theater artists with theater lovers to help those in need.
As the philanthropic heart of Broadway, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS donors and supporters help ensure those affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other life-threatening illnesses nationwide 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 more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
During six enthusiastic weeks of fundraising in the spring and fall, Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring productions join together to ask their audiences to donate after performances in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ annual grants.
Returning for the first time since 2019 because of the pandemic, the Easter Bonnet Competition is a variety show celebrating the six weeks of the Spring Fundraising Campaign.
The companies of shows on Broadway, Off-Broadway and around the country use their voices to make a difference. Just by signing posters or Playbills and staying a few minutes after a show for the curtain appeal, you’re providing people in need with tangible help that makes a real difference in their lives.
To participate this spring, all you have to do is:
Sign posters, Playbills and other memorabilia if your show chooses to do so
Remain onstage or backstage for a couple extra minutes while the audience appeal is given
When you take these simple actions, you’re doing something that literally gives medication or a meal to someone who would not have that otherwise.
✛ Why Me?
Help Yourself Whether you need help tomorrow or in 20 years, the money you raise through Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will be there for you in the programs and support of the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), which helps everyone in the performing arts and entertainment industry.
Help Your Friends Whether you know it or not, someone in your theater has relied on the support you’re providing by signing posters or Playbills, or staying a few extra minutes during the appeal.
Be Part of the Broadway Legacy Doing appeals for Broadway Cares is part of the rich history of the Broadway community. This is your chance to join the philanthropic spirit of Broadway.
✛ Why Now?
Right now, Americans of every gender, ethnicity, religion, orientation, identity, ability and economic status will turn to social service organizations across the country and the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) for a helping hand 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.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway Cares expanded its support of the Entertainment Community Fund, which provides a safety net of social services for everyone in entertainment and the performing arts. Support has also continued for the HIV/AIDS Initiative, The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts, 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.
We have never been more committed in our fight for those whose voices have been silenced or marginalized. We will not allow fear or hate to impede the progress we have made. Lives depend on that. Our work has never been more important.
✛ What Can we Sell?
The easiest way to raise extra funds 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.
From one-of-a-kind auctions of memorable keepsakes to pop-up photo booths 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’s a sample speech, but be sure to make yours personal.
We are so grateful to have shared our hearts with you for the last two hours. Now, on your way out, we’re hoping we can all share just a little more together.
You will see volunteers with the familiar Red Buckets welcoming donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Your support tonight will directly and immediately help those living with HIV/AIDS and other debilitating illnesses, dealing with long COVID and struggling with other personal crises and health challenges.
You can help us ensure that these vital efforts are sustained for all of us in our theater community – onstage, backstage and behind the scenes – through Broadway Cares’ support of the Entertainment Community Fund, as well as supporting the work of hundreds of social service agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
Together, we can provide meals and medication, health care and hope for hundreds of thousands in families of all variety.
[Mention of poster and Playbill sales]
We accept cash and credit cards. No donation is too small … or too big. Anything you can give is appreciated.
Thank you for joining us in making a difference for those in need. Good night!
✛ Where Does the Money Go?
Entertainment Community Fund Fund Broadway Cares provided $8.25 million to the Entertainment Community Fund during the last year to support performers, stage managers, musicians, technicians and anyone in the entertainment industry who needs a helping hand. An additional $8.65 million was awarded to 485 social service organizations in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, restoring grant amounts to pre-pandemic levels.
Emergency Grants On behalf of the entire theater community – those onstage, offstage and in the audience, Broadway Cares provides emergency grants to help on-the-ground organizations that are providing immediate assistance during natural disasters, tragedy and crises.
In recent months, emergency grants have been sent to Puerto Rico and Florida to provide food and shelter after devastating hurricanes struck; to Turkey to help survivors of the catastrophic earthquakes; to Ukraine to provide food, water and medical support for those living through the war’s humanitarian crises; to Planned Parenthood Federation of American and NARAL Po-Choice America to help ensure access to critical reproductive health care after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade; and to the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, The Bail Project, Color of Change and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, among others, to help address systemic racism in all communities, including Broadway.
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 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.
