HIV & AIDS Activism on Broadway
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS helps men, women and children across the country and across the street receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance.
We are one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington DC.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of essential social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. We also award annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS began as two separate organizations.
Equity Fights AIDS was founded in October 1987 by the Council of Actors’ Equity Association. Money raised through the efforts of Equity theatre companies across the country was specifically earmarked for The Actors Fund’s HIV/AIDS Initiative.
Broadway Cares was founded in February 1988 by members of The Producers’ Group. Money raised was awarded to AIDS service organizations nationwide, including Equity Fights AIDS.
In May 1992, Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares merged to become Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The Board of Trustees of this newly established not-for-profit fundraising organization assumed the missions of the previously separate organizations.
Unlike most other nonprofit, grant-making organizations, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS must raise every dollar of our philanthropic budget each year in order to fulfill our mission. In turn, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS works hard to ensure that the money we raise is spent carefully and wisely on programs where these hard-earned funds can have the maximum possible impact.
https://broadwaycares.org/about-broadway-cares-equity-fights-aids/
Deep Dive: Watch Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS on Youtube
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Grants Record $18.1M During Fiscal Pandemic Year
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided a record $18.1 million in grants to a pandemic-slammed industry during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, the most ever awarded in the organization’s 32-year history.
Cautioning that “any enthusiasm” about the record is “tempered with the recognition that continued fundraising is essential to ensure healthy meals, lifesaving medication and emergency assistance are still available as the country faces an uncertain future,” the organization noted that the $18.1 million in 2020 grants exceeds 2019 grant-making by 22 percent. Last year’s $14.8 million in grants had been the previous annual record.
Deep Dive into the History of Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS with documentary
“Take Me or Leave Me” from RENT at Miscast
Accompanied by Musical Director: Drew Wutke & Band