Red Buckets are back! For the first time in two years, we’re able to once again come together to raise money to help those in need. Thank you for being a part of Broadway Cares’ audience appeals.
β 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, 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 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.
The post-show audience appeals and iconic #RedBuckets have been absent from stages and theaters since the coronavirus pandemic shut down the industry in March 2020. Traditionally, these appeals take place twice a year 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’ annual grants.
Although in-theater appeals are back this spring, the two-day Easter Bonnet Competition performances, which typically celebrate the end of the spring fundraising efforts, will remain on hiatus until April 2023.
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 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
Collecting 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 and the pandemic which puts the well-being of so many in jeopardy, Broadway Cares allows us to come together and make an impact that really matters.
β 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 Actors Fund for a much-needed hand up and supportive shoulder. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will be there with our entire community β those onstage, backstage and in the audienceΒ β to ensure the help they need is there.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway Cares expanded its support of The Actors Fund, which provides a safety net of social services for everyone in entertainment and the performing arts. Since the start of the pandemic, Broadway Cares has granted $20 million to The Actors Fund, including $9.5 million for its COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Support has also been continued for the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts, 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.
β What is 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.
β What are the COVID-19 Protocols?
In accordance with current industry guidelines, those who work onstage and backstage will not be asked to greet audiences or hold buckets in the theater. To maintain these safety protocols, all red bucket holding in the house will be handled by vaccinated and masked Broadway Cares staff and volunteers.
β What Can I 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. Check out this post-show onstage auction from the cast of Dear Evan Hansen. If you want help brainstorming ideas, just ask us!
β What Do I Say?
Don’t be nervous β 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.
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.
For the first time in two years, you’ll once again see volunteers with familiar red buckets welcoming donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
As we begin to see a hopeful light at the end of this long pandemic tunnel, Broadway Cares continues to stand up for those facing critical challenges every day.
During our long shutdown, Broadway Cares awarded millions of dollars in grants to help those living with HIV/AIDS, struggling with the intense challenges of COVID-19 and facing other debilitating illnesses.
You can help us ensure that Broadway Cares can sustain these vital efforts for those in our theater community β onstage, backstage and behind the scenes – through the emergency assistance and social services provided by The Actors Fund. Your donations also support the work of hundreds of other social service agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
Tonight, you can help provide meals and medication, health care and hope.
[Mention of poster or Playbill sales, if applicable]
We accept cash and credit cards. No donation is too small β¦ or too big. Anything you can give is appreciated.
Thank you for joining us in making a difference for those in need. Good night!
β Where Does the Money Go?
The Actors Fund
Broadway Cares has provided $5.1 million to The Actors Fund just since October 2021 (the start of our fiscal year) to support performers, musicians, technicians, stage managers and anyone in the entertainment industry who needs a helping hand.
Emergency Grants
On behalf of the entire Broadway and New York City theater community – those onstage, offstage and in the audience – Broadway Cares awarded $300,000 in emergency grants in March 2022 to immediately help the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
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.
