We’re so grateful to you for raising money during this year’s Broadway Cares/Equity FIghts AIDS Week audience appeals. Thank you for joining us this fall.
✛ What is Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Week?
From November 19-26, theatre artists around the country are using their voices to make a difference. Just by signing posters and staying a few minutes after a show to hold a bucket, you’re providing people in need with tangible help that makes a real difference in their lives.
If you’re in the cast, all you have to do is:
Sign posters, Playbills and other memorabilia
Stand on stage for two minutes while the audience appeal is given
Stay 15 minutes after your show to collect a few times a week
When you do those simple actions, you’re doing something that literally gives medication or a meal to someone who would not have that otherwise.
In 2016, contributions from theatre companies across the nation raised more than $725,000 of the total $12.9 million awarded in grants.
✛ Look Who's Making Audience Appeals
Are your friends and fellow castmates participating in the appeals? Cheer each other on social. Share your posts and tag @bcefa #redbuckets
✛ What is Broadway Cares?
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS unites theatre artists with theatre lovers to help those in need.
Broadway Cares helps men, women and children across the country and across the street receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance.
Broadway Cares/Equity FIghts AIDS awards grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states and is the largest single financial supporter of the social service programs of The Actors Fund, helping everyone in entertainment and the performing arts.
Broadway Cares hosts two six-week-long fundraising campaigns in theatres across the country every year, one leading up to the Easter Bonnet Competition in April and the other leading up to the Gypsy of the Year competition in December. Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, national tours, and 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.
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 from 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 theatre has relied on the support you’re providing by signing posters or holding red buckets.
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 blow as strong as natural disasters and put the well-being of so many in jeopardy, Broadway Cares allows us to come together and make an impact that really matters.
✛ Why Now?
This year, 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 – those onstage, backstage and in the audience – to ensure the help they need is there.
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.
✛ How Do I Raise Money?
Audience appeals are the most effective means of fundraising. Broadway Cares can supply you with red ribbons to give to audience members in exchange for donations. You should check with the local presenter before doing an appeal.
Signed poster sales, signed programs, photos with the cast and special merchandise are a great way to raise funds. If you are planning sales of these, feel free to experiment with the prices to find out how to optimize your efforts and fundraising.
Special cabaret performances can be excellent fundraisers. Often Broadway Cares can connect you to a local social service organization that might help you sell tickets and share the proceeds.
If your show has a large following or a celebrity headliner, you may want to consider selling autographed items on eBay. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is happy to post your items online and credit your show with the total raised. (Two-week lead time required.)
Make it local When making your curtain speech, you may want to include the names of local social service organizations that Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supports so that audiences understand some of the money raised will be granted in their own community.
✛ How Do I Ask?
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.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is an organization important to theatre artists like us because it gives us a chance to use our time and talents to help others. Broadway Cares allows us to connect and work with theatre lovers like you to create an even bigger impact.
The money we raise together tonight for Broadway Cares will go to more than 450 social service agencies in all 50 states to fund lifesaving medication, healthy meals and emergency financial assistance for those living with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.
At times like this, when political forces, stigma and even natural disasters put the well being of so many in jeopardy, Broadway Cares allows us to come together and make an impact that really matters.
As you leave the theatre tonight, you’ll see cast members holding red buckets. We accept cash, credit cards, jewelry, children, ex-spouses. No donation is too small … or too big. Anything you can give is appreciated, as it will all go directly to help those who’ve been marginalized and their voices silenced.
✛ Where Does the Money Go?
The Actors Fund
Broadway Cares gave more than $5.5 million to The Actors Fund this year to support performers, musicians, technicians, stage managers and anyone in the entertainment industry that needs a leg up.
YOUR Home State
Broadway Cares grants go to worthy 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.
Emergency Relief Grants
This fall, Broadway Cares has donated more than half a million dollars to provide immediate, on-the-ground help after the devastating hurricanes hit Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.
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.
