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 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 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. Broadway Cares also produces annual fundraising events in New York City, including Broadway Backwards, Broadway Bares and the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction.

Returning for the first time since 2019 because of the pandemic, Red Bucket Follies is a variety show celebrating the six weeks of the Fall Fundraising Campaign. The heartwarming homecoming of Red Bucket Follies also marks the first full calendar year of Broadway Cares events since the pandemic  – a joyous milestone for us all.

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 for the curtain appeal, you’re providing people in need with tangible help that makes a real difference in their lives.

To participate this fall, 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.

For participating in the six weeks of fundraising, your company will be invited to participate in our Red Bucket Follies show of skits, songs and celebration, a time-honored tradition in the Broadway community. Your stage managers will receive information on how you can participate.

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
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 coping with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Entertainment Community Fund
Broadway Cares provided $7.6 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.

Emergency Grants
On behalf of the entire Broadway and New York City theater community – those onstage, offstage and in the audience – Broadway Cares awarded emergency grants in August to the Maui Food Bank in Hawaii to provide immediate relief for those suffering from cataclysmic wildfires that destroyed the historic coastal town of Lahaina on the island of Maui.

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 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.

Want to know more? Search our list of grantees.

Will your friends and fellow castmates be participating in the appeals? Cheer each other on social media. Share your posts and tag @bcefa #RedBuckets.

Don’t be afraid to reach out – we are here to support you.

For New York productions with questions, contact Trisha Doss at doss@broadwaycares.org.

For national tours with questions, contact James Cella at cella@broadwaycares.org.

For questions about social media, contact social@broadwaycares.org.