Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a nonprofit organization that has been a leading force in the fight against AIDS and other serious illnesses, particularly in the entertainment industry. Founded in 1988 by Tom Viola, the organization has been supported by numerous Broadway shows, including The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and Wicked, as well as Off-Broadway productions like Rent and Hamilton. With the help of Actors' Equity Association, The Broadway League, and other organizations, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has been able to provide vital services to those in need, including food banks like Citymeals-on-Wheels and housing assistance programs through The Actors Fund of America.

● History

The organization was formed in 1988, in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, when Broadway and Off-Broadway performers, including Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, and Terrence McNally, came together to raise funds for AIDS research and support services. The first fundraising event, held at the Gershwin Theatre, featured performances by Liza Minnelli, Stephen Sondheim, and Cyndi Lauper. Since then, the organization has grown to include a wide range of supporters, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Audra McDonald, and Neil Patrick Harris, as well as theatre companies like Roundabout Theatre Company and Manhattan Theatre Club. The organization has also partnered with other nonprofit organizations, such as AmfAR, The Trevor Project, and GLAAD, to amplify its impact.

● Mission

The mission of the organization is to provide critical assistance to those affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses, as well as to support organizations that provide healthcare, housing, and food to those in need. The organization's work is guided by a commitment to social justice and a belief in the power of the entertainment industry to make a positive impact on the world. With the support of Broadway and Off-Broadway performers, as well as theatre owners and producers, the organization has been able to provide vital services to those affected by serious illnesses, including counseling and support groups through The Ali Forney Center and housing assistance through The National AIDS Memorial Grove.

● Fundraising Events

The organization hosts a range of fundraising events throughout the year, including the annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Easter Bonnet Competition, which features performances by Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, including Hadestown, The Book of Mormon, and Dear Evan Hansen. The organization also hosts the annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Red Bucket Follies, which features performances by Broadway and Off-Broadway performers, including Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, and Patti LuPone. Other fundraising events include the annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Broadway Flea Market, which features autograph sessions with Broadway and Off-Broadway performers, including Ben Platt, Laura Benanti, and Sara Bareilles, as well as auctions of theatre memorabilia, including items from The Metropolitan Opera and The Public Theater.

● Grants and Recipients

The organization provides grants to a wide range of organizations, including The Actors Fund of America, The Ali Forney Center, and The National AIDS Memorial Grove. The organization also provides support to food banks like Citymeals-on-Wheels and housing assistance programs through The Actors Fund of America. In addition, the organization provides grants to organizations that provide healthcare and counseling services to those affected by serious illnesses, including The Trevor Project and GLAAD. The organization's grants have also supported research initiatives at institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

● Impact and Achievements

The organization has had a significant impact on the lives of those affected by serious illnesses, providing critical assistance and support to thousands of individuals and families. The organization's fundraising events have raised millions of dollars for AIDS research and support services, and its grants have supported a wide range of organizations and initiatives. The organization's work has also helped to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses, and has promoted social justice and equality in the entertainment industry. The organization has been recognized for its work with awards from The Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

● Notable Supporters

The organization has a long list of notable supporters, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Audra McDonald, and Neil Patrick Harris, as well as theatre companies like Roundabout Theatre Company and Manhattan Theatre Club. The organization has also been supported by celebrities like Elton John, Lady Gaga, and Cher, who have performed at fundraising events and helped to raise awareness about the organization's work. Other notable supporters include Broadway and Off-Broadway performers like Ben Platt, Laura Benanti, and Sara Bareilles, as well as theatre owners and producers like The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization. The organization has also partnered with institutions like Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, and The Public Theater to amplify its impact. Category:Non-profit organizations