Dear Friend and BC/EFA Donor:

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS through our online Annual Report for fiscal year 2015 (October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015).

We are thrilled to report that Broadway Cares is celebrating another incredible season of giving, as we continue to reach hundreds of thousands of individuals across the country who face life-threatening challenges, often marginalized by gender, race, sexual orientation, age and class. We also continue to support thousands in the theatrical community with vital social services through The Actors Fund.

In a year punctuated by headline-making tragedies targeting alienated groups, Broadway Cares is proud to speak on behalf of the theatrical community to offer relief and resources to countless individuals through fundraising and grantmaking.

With the help of individuals onstage and off, in fiscal year 2015 we provided support to 459 HIV/AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states. The national grants program assisted food banks and meal delivery programs, health clinics, housing programs and more. Your endless generosity has made it possible for so many disadvantaged people to have the opportunities and resources they desperately need.

Broadway Cares has also continued to offer a safety net to our friends and champions in the Broadway community through The Actors Fund, thanks to the endless support of our donors. While the funding was initially created alongside the HIV/AIDS Initiative in 1988, Broadway Cares expanded its reach to include the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative in 1996. Broadway Cares was the first supporter of this program and remains the largest funder. In the following years, Broadway Cares added the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, the Artists Health Information Resource Center, the Actors Fund Work Program, The Dancers’ Resource and more to our grant-receiving repertoire. With your help, everyone in the industry has access to the vital services The Actors Fund provides.

BC/EFA’s support for the programs of The Actors Fund reached $5.2 million in fiscal year 2015, while our National Grants Program awarded $6.2 million to HIV/AIDS service organizations nationwide.

Your support has given countless individuals access to the care, resources and assistance so many of us take for granted. Broadway Cares could not exist without the community’s relentless dedication to our mission. You are proof that what we do together truly does make a difference.

Sincerely,

Paul Libin, President

Tom Viola, Executive Director

Paul Libin, President

Tom Viola, Executive Director

The unique collaborative relationship between Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Actors Fund has allowed our fundraising success to contribute directly to the vital programs The Fund provides to professionals in the theatrical community for the last two decades. In fact, Broadway Cares is proud to be the single largest contributor to The Actors Fund.

A little bit of history: Equity Fights AIDS was created as a committee of Actors’ Equity by the Equity Council in 1988, not long after the creation of The AIDS Initiative by The Actors Fund.

Broadway Cares was founded by a group of producers in 1988 with the mission to raise funds in the Broadway community and make grants to AIDS service organizations across the country, including Equity Fights AIDS. With the merger of these two separate organizations and the creation of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS as a new not-for-profit organization in 1992, the missions combined: support for the HIV/AIDS Initiative of The Actors Fund and a national grants program.

Another major milestone in the organizations’ relationship arrived in 1996, when the BC/EFA Board of Trustees decided to provide support for The Actors Fund’s newly formed Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative.

Today, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supports the essential social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, the Career Center and The Dancers’ Resource, as well as numerous projects such as The New York Stage Managers Unofficial Health Directory and more.

Since 1988, BC/EFA has granted more than $78 million to The Actors Fund to support these vital initiatives and programs.

In fiscal year 2015, BC/EFA awarded $5,175,500 to The Actors Fund.
 
 

 
The HIV/AIDS Initiative received $2,100,000, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative received $800,000, the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic received $650,000, the Artists Health Insurance Resource Center received $400,000, the Career Center (formerly Actors Fund Work Program) received $300,000 and The Dancers’ Resource received $300,000.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS also was glad to support the Stage Managers’ Project with a grant of $200,000 for the print and online version of The New York Stage Managers Unofficial Health Directory, as well as $75,500 for The Actors Fund annual gala, memorial donations, benefit support and other smaller donations.

Through our partnership with The Actors Fund, BC/EFA has touched the lives of thousands of entertainment professionals living with HIV/AIDS, as well as hundreds of thousands more coping with a variety of other health issues, emergencies and challenges.

The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment including everyone in the theatre community. With BC/EFA’s expanded support for The Actors Fund, everyone in the entertainment industry can benefit from the safety net created first for people with AIDS, but now for all of us.

The Actors Fund provides for the welfare of all who earn their living through employment in the entertainment industry: the stage manager, dancer or theatrical press agent with AIDS and no health insurance; the actor looking to make a transition into a second career; the retired costume designer having difficulty living on Social Security and unclear about his Medicaid benefits; the stage carpenter, company manager or actress facing a crisis around an issue of addiction or the musician in need of supportive housing. All are part of the entertainment industry and all can find assistance through The Actors Fund.

For more information about The Actors Fund, visit actorsfund.org

 
Fiscal year 2015 proved to be a banner year for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, with one of the largest fundraising years in the organization’s history. Broadway Cares proudly supports HIV/AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, taking great pride in a coast-to-coast commitment ensuring important services can continue to help hundreds of thousands of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses.

In 2015, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS awarded $12,023,620 in grants. Of that, $6,246,217 was awarded to 459 AIDS and family service providers across the country and $5,175,500 went to support essential programs at The Actors Fund.

HIV is often just one factor in a series of obstacles facing someone living with the disease. It often is compounded with poverty, homelessness, lack of access to health care and other basic human resources. Being physically or emotionally isolated from lifesaving resources can create a sense of hopelessness for someone with HIV/AIDS.

This lack of resources can create a dangerous disconnect for those coping with the disease. Once an individual stops adhering to essential and often overwhelming drug regimens, his or her health is compromised and necessary prevention and safe sex precautions can fall to the wayside.

While AIDS fundraising continues to be adversely affected by budget cuts made by public, corporate and foundation funding, Broadway Cares proudly speaks on behalf of the generous theatre community to provide support and resources for essential social services.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS awards its national grants in three rounds. The first round funds food service and meal delivery programs, which are essential components if lifesaving medical regimens are to have a lasting impact. The second round issues grants to nationally recognized AIDS service organizations, health clinics and advocacy organizations.

The third round supports social service organizations whose essential work enhances the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS and supports the integrity of families, by every definition of the word, who live each day with the multiple challenges of this disease. This grant round covers four categories: Direct Services; Emergency Financial Assistance; Harm Reduction Programs and Quality of Life Services.
 
 

 
A grant from Broadway Cares helps provide vital services from day to day. “I can’t begin to tell you what it means to our clients,” said Stacie Lechot, executive director of North Idaho AIDS Coalition in Coeur d’Alene. “It’s giving them food for a week and gas cards to get to the pharmacy or to the doctor or a food bank. It’s so touching to know that people who don’t even know who we are – or even where Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is – are making lives better for some many people here.”

2015 National Grantees by State

Please use the drop-down box below to view all the agencies BC/EFA funded in Fiscal Year 2016 by state.

View the 2015 National Grantees Map >

For many theatrical seasons, Broadway shows originating overseas or featuring foreign-born actors have participated in Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ six weeks of audience appeals prior to Gypsy of the Year and Easter Bonnet Competition. To show our appreciation, Broadway Cares grants a portion of the funds to AIDS service organizations in their native countries.

These international charities are chosen and introduced to Broadway Cares by the company members the donation is inspired by. Once the organization’s charitable status has been confirmed by Broadway Cares, a grant on behalf of the company is donated abroad.

In fiscal year 2015, Broadway Cares made grants to international organizations totaling $601,903 to AIDS service organizations in Canada, England and South Africa.

It started with a $26,533 donation made to West End Cares (later renamed TheatreMAD), our sister theatre-based AIDS fundraising organization in London, in honor of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which participated in the 1996 Easter Bonnet Competition.

Many English actors in numerous Broadway productions — including Dame Judi Dench, Petula Clark, Alan Cumming, the late Natasha Richardson, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Elaine Paige, Anthony Sher and Sir Ian McKellen — have been a part of the fundraising efforts since then.

The vast majority of grant money distributed through our International Grants Program has been to South African AIDS service organizations in appreciation of the efforts of the South African members of the Broadway and touring productions of The Lion King.

Since 1998, BC/EFA has sent more than $4 million to 66 South African AIDS service providers in honor of and identified by the South African actors in the Broadway and national touring companies of The Lion King. As the AIDS pandemic continues to devastate this region, funding for South African ASOs will remain a funding priority for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
 
 

 
 

 

Angels are donors who support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS with unrestricted gifts of $1,000 or more during a single fiscal year. These gifts are especially notable as they are a unique, special core of donors whose gifts were not in relation to the purchase of merchandise or event tickets. These generous donations directly fund Broadway Cares’ grants, which are ultimately distributed to the vital social service programs of The Actors Fund and HIV/AIDS service organizations in all 50 states.

In Broadway terms, an “angel” is an investor in a theatre production. In exchange for the financial investment, angels are historically given the best seats in the house as the show could not exist without their contribution. The Angels Circle creates a similar tradition, granting Broadway Cares Angels VIP status within the organization, along with numerous additional benefits.

In addition to the Angels Circle, significant funds are generated through various BC/EFA annual and one-time special events, such as Easter Bonnet Competition, Gypsy of the Year, Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, Broadway Bares and Broadway Backwards. Considerable financial support also comes to us through our Care-Tix and CareCard programs. Contributions from all these sources are vital to Broadway Cares.

The names below are those who have supported Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS with contributions of $1,000 or more during our fiscal year 2015, from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015.

Names in bold indicate Archangels, donors who have increased their gift by 25 percent or more over the past year.
 

In addition to support from the Angels Circle, significant funds are generated through Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ annual and one-time events, including the Easter Bonnet Competition, Gypsy of the Year, the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, Broadway Backwards and Broadway Bares.

Notable financial support also comes through our Care-Tix, CareCard and auction programs. These donations and fundraising efforts provide vital funds to Broadway Cares.

Below are the names of those who have supported these events and programs with contributions of $1,000 or more during our fiscal year 2015 from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015. Amounts listed are the tax-deductible amount of the donation, the total gift minus any fair market value for goods received.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is fortunate to have the continued support of a broad range of corporate partners.

CORPORATE PARTNERS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

 

 

As one of the largest charities representing Broadway and the American theatre and the ninth-largest AIDS grant-making organization in the world, BC/EFA is able to connect major corporate brands with one of the nation’s foremost creative industries and our most loyal supporters. We are also able to ensure that a corporation’s support reaches into nearly every community in the country through our National Grants Program. Our Corporate Partners are able to build brand loyalty among millions of people associated with Broadway, be it on tour, onstage, backstage or in the audience and those passionate about the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Companies can partner with BC/EFA on a broad range of projects, including annual partnership, event sponsorship, cash and in-kind donations that directly support our programs and specialized, cause-related marketing.

With the creation of Broadway Delivers in 2001 a new way for Broadway Cares and corporations to work together was born. Many of the events that BC/EFA produced through Broadway Delivers were originally produced for existing corporate clients such as Anheuser-Busch and Target, bringing new corporations into the Broadway Cares family.

We salute the generous companies that provide major support of our programs.

Behind the stars driving a successful Broadway show are the supporting players helping sustain a long, meaningful run.

The Supporting Players Circle allows donors to make a lasting impact in a simple. A donation is automatically charged to a credit or debit card each month. Membership in the Supporting Players Circle continues uninterrupted and members can increase, decrease or stop monthly donations at any time.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS appreciates and thanks these members of the Supporting Players Circle for helping to create a foundation of giving that makes a difference every month.

The Colleen Dewhurst Society is the planned giving arm of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, honoring those who have included Broadway Cares in their estate plan or will.

The society is named for the late Colleen Dewhurst, the Tony Award-winning actress and past president of Actors’ Equity Association. She pioneered the formation of the Equity Fights AIDS Committee, which merged with Broadway Cares in 1992 to become the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS of today.

“I’m so proud of what we do for each other. There are so many people who thought this thing would never go. That it couldn’t be done. But it happened anyway because so many people came forward and, in many different ways, made it happen. And to this very day, I love you all for that.”
– Colleen Dewhurst, June 1991

Colleen’s legacy will forever reflect her love for the theatre community and boundless compassion for the disadvantaged and underprivileged, as well as her incredible vision for AIDS fundraising within the Broadway community.

Joining the Colleen Dewhurst Society allows Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supporters to create their own legacy of benevolence towards the most vulnerable for years to come.

For more information about the Colleen Dewhurst Society, contact John Halpin, major gifts officer, at 212.840.0770, ext. 275, or halpin@broadwaycares.org.

In fiscal year 2015, gifts to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS were received from the following estates.

Francine Beers Living Trust
Estate of Andrew Greenhut
Estate of Richard Mietzelfeld
Estate of Jason Moyer
Estate of Eileen R. Shields

The following people have provided for an estate or other planned gifts to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

We salute our many friends and colleagues who are no longer with us and left planned gifts to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS recognizes major supporters, individuals, businesses and foundations that make a contribution of $1,000 or more annually to Dancers Responding to AIDS. A program of Broadway Cares, DRA helps raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in support of those affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. That wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and compassion of our most loyal supporters.

* Indicates members of the DRA Angels Circle

The Maestro Program of Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS recognizes individuals, businesses and foundations that make a contribution of $1,000 or more annually to Classical Action, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Through the support of these and hundreds of other donors, Classical Action helps raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in support of those affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.

Every great Maestro knows that each section of the orchestra, whether strings, woodwinds, brass or percussion, plays an important role in creating an overall sound. Similarly, those who contribute to The Maestro Program know that whatever giving category they choose, their contribution helps orchestrate the success of Classical Action, thus ensuring the future of AIDS services across the country.

Officers

Paul Libin, President
Ira Mont, First Vice President
Thomas Schumacher, Second Vice President
Nina Lannan, Third Vice President
Sherry Cohen, Fourth Vice President
Philip Birsh, Treasurer
Judith Rice, Secretary

Trustees

As of October 2015

At the October 7, 2015, meeting of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Board of Trustees, those in attendance presented Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund, with a check for $5,175,500, representing BC/EFA’s support in the fiscal year 2014.

Left to right: Robert Score; Danny Whitman, director of communications and development; Tim Tompkins; Paul DiDonato; Jay Laudato; Barry Brown; Philip Birsh, treasurer; Scott Barnes; Joe Benincasa; Robert Callely; Nina Lannan, third vice president; Tom Viola, executive director; David Binder; Paul Libin, president; Kate Shindle; Peter Lawrence; Maria Di Dia; Mary McColl; Ira Mont, first vice president; Joe Machota; Kathleen Chalfant; Valerie Lau-Kee Lai, producing director; Larry Cook, director of finance and administration.

Tom Viola, Executive Director
Larry Cook, Director of Finance & Administration
Valerie Lau-Kee Lai, Producing Director
Danny Whitman, Director of Communications and Development

Photo Credit: Kevin Thomas Garcia