Thank you for being a part of the Broadway Cares audience appeals last fall. Audience appeals for the Easter Bonnet Competition will begin Friday, March 6. The audience appeals season runs through April 19. Easter Bonnet Competition will be performed April 20 and 21.
✛ 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, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. It also 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 Red Bucket Follies 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 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 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?
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 – 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.
✛ What is the Audience Appeal Season?
The companies of shows on Broadway, Off-Broadway and around the country use 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
If you work backstage or front of house, thank you for hanging tight while the appeal is made and the donations dropped in buckets. We appreciate and recognize your contributions to making all this happen.
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.
✛ What Can I Sell?
The easiest way to raise 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!
✛ What Do I Say?
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.
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’ll see cast members and volunteers with fabulous red buckets for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Support from audiences like you allowed Broadway Cares to award $14.8 million in grants last year. Those grants went to The Actors Fund and 470 social service agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
Your donation today can provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals and emergency financial assistance for those living with HIV/AIDS, women dealing with breast and ovarian cancer, and more of our friends and neighbors struggling with illness and personal crises.
We accept cash, credit cards, jewelry, children, spouses. No donation is too small … or too big. Anything you can give is appreciated as it will all go to help those who’ve been marginalized and had their voices silenced. Thank you for whatever you can give and good night!
✛ Where Does the Money Go?
The Actors Fund
Broadway Cares gave more than $6.1 million to The Actors Fund last year to support performers, musicians, technicians, stage managers and anyone in the entertainment industry that needs a leg up.
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 in every borough and every corner of the city.
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.
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.
