Broadway Cares

What Broadway Cares does

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1988 and headquartered at 165 West 46th Street in New York City. It operates as the philanthropic arm of the Broadway theater community, raising funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, merchandise sales, and a diversified portfolio of signature fundraising events. Its primary beneficiary populations are people affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., with secondary support directed to entertainment and performing arts professionals via the Entertainment Community Fund.

The organization's core operations are structured around two engines: (1) a portfolio of branded annual fundraising events — including Broadway Bares, Red Bucket Follies, Broadway Backwards, Broadway Bets, Broadway Barks, Broadway Dream Roles, the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, and the Spring Fundraising Competition — plus biannual six-week #RedBuckets in-theater appeals at 55+ Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring productions; and (2) a National Grants Program that channels those proceeds to 483 social service and AIDS service organizations nationwide. Since 1987, the organization has distributed over $170 million in cumulative grants, with $9.5 million awarded in 2025 alone alongside $8.38 million directed to the Entertainment Community Fund.

The business model is donation-driven rather than commercial: no products are sold, no recurring subscription fees exist, and there are no technology platforms with disclosed revenue. Revenue mechanics span major donor tiers (NextGen Network from $250, Angels Circle from $1,000, Visionary Circle from $10,000), corporate sponsorships (ViiV Healthcare, M.A.C Viva Glam, City National Bank, The New York Times, United Airlines), celebrity-driven event activations, planned giving/estate bequests, matching gift programs, and online auctions of Broadway memorabilia. The organization serves as a fiscal sponsor for several affiliated programs, including Dancers Responding to AIDS, Broadway Green Alliance, Broadway Serves, Broadway & Beyond, and R.Evolucion Latina.

Name

Broadway Cares

Legal name

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Inc.

Website

https://broadwaycares.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 that raises funds through Broadway community events and donations to provide grants to 483 HIV/AIDS and social service organizations across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HIV/AIDS Nonprofit Fundraising and Grant-Making

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded) (MPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• HIV/AIDS fundraising
• Nonprofit grant making
• Broadway charitable events
• AIDS service organizations
• Theater community philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Broadway Cares raises funds through individual donations via its website, mail campaigns, and major donor programs including Angels Circle ($1,000+), Visionary Circle ($10,000+), and NextGen Network ($250+). Donors can contribute through one-time or recurring donations, fundraising pages, and planned giving.
2. Event-Based Fundraising: The organization produces signature events including Broadway Bares, Red Bucket Follies, Broadway Backwards, Broadway Bets poker tournament, Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, Broadway Barks pet adoption event, Broadway Dream Roles, and NYCRUNS Spring Fling 5K. These events generate millions in fundraising through ticket sales, auctions, and audience donations.
3. In-Theater Red Bucket Appeals: Six-week biannual #RedBuckets fundraising campaign at Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring shows. Audience members make donations after curtain calls, with volunteer bucket brigades collecting contributions. Top show Just in Time raised over $932,000 in spring 2026.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor events and programs including presenting sponsors (ViiV Healthcare for Rent concert, M.A.C Viva Glam for Broadway Bares), annual sponsors (City National Bank, The New York Times, United Airlines), and table sponsors at events.
5. Merchandise and Auction Sales: Online store, eBay auctions, and CharityBuzz auctions selling Broadway memorabilia, signed merchandise, and unique experiences. Additional revenue from CareCards (greeting cards with charitable donation component).
6. Planned Giving and Bequests: Colleen Dewhurst Legacy Society recognizes donors who include Broadway Cares in their estate plans through wills, life insurance, retirement plans, or charitable remainder trusts. Legal Tax ID: 13-3458820.
7. Matching Gifts: Corporate matching gift program where employers match employee charitable contributions, potentially doubling or tripling donation impact.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds through signature Broadway theatrical events (Broadway Bares, Broadway Backwards, Broadway Barks, Broadway Bets, Red Bucket Follies), biannual in-theater Red Bucket appeals, individual donor programs (NextGen Network, Angels Circle, Visionary Circle), and corporate sponsorships. Funds are distributed through the National Grants Program to AIDS service and social service organizations across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., and through ongoing support to the Entertainment Community Fund.

Product overview

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a nonprofit charitable organization that serves as the philanthropic heart of Broadway. Rather than a unified technology product, it operates as a portfolio of fundraising events and grant-making programs. The core offerings include annual signature events (Broadway Bares, Broadway Backwards, Broadway Barks, Broadway Bets, Broadway Dream Roles, Red Bucket Follies, Broadway Flea Market, and Spring Fundraising Competition), the National Grants Program distributing funds to AIDS service organizations nationwide, and donor recognition programs (NextGen Network, Angels Circle, Visionary Circle). Dancers Responding to AIDS is an affiliated program, and CareCards offer commemorative donation products. Together, these events and programs raise funds to provide meals, medication, health care and hope to those affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Broadway Bares Annual burlesque show featuring choreographed performances by Broadway and Off-Broadway dancers to raise funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS-related causes.
• Broadway Backwards Annual concert that reimagines Broadway songs through an LGBTQ+ lens, raising funds for Broadway Cares and The Center.
• Broadway Barks Star-studded dog and cat adoption event held in Shubert Alley supporting New York City animal shelters and rescue organizations.
• Broadway Bets Annual Broadway poker tournament raising funds for Broadway Cares' charitable programs.
• Broadway Dream Roles

Quantifiable outcome

• $9.5 million granted to 483 organizations in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• ViiV HealthcareflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 October 2026Presenting sponsor of Rent, the 30th Anniversary Concert benefiting Broadway Cares. ViiV Healthcare is a pharmaceutical company focused on HIV treatment, and the partnership connects Rent's legacy (written in honor of people living with and lost to HIV) with ongoing HIV awareness and fundraising efforts.
• M.A.C Viva GlamflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 June 2026Presenting sponsor of Broadway Bares: License to Strip. M.A.C Cosmetics' Viva Glam campaign has donated $5.4 million to Broadway Cares over the years through this partnership, with a $200,000 check presented in 2026.
• City National BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial bank of Broadway Cares and Broadway Bets. Long-time corporate partner providing financial services and sponsorship support for multiple events.
• The New York TimescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual corporate sponsor and media partner for Broadway Cares events including Red Bucket Follies and Broadway Backwards. Provides editorial coverage and promotional visibility.
• United AirlinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial airline of Broadway Cares, providing travel support for events and operations. Sponsors multiple signature events.
• Entertainment Community FundflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroadway Cares is the single largest funder of the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), providing $9+ million annually. Partnership began in 1988 with HIV/AIDS Initiative and has expanded to include Women's Health Initiative, Health Insurance Resource Center, Addiction Recovery Services, The Dancers Resource, and Friedman Health Center. Broadway Cares provided initial funding and continues supporting majority of HIV/AIDS Initiative budget.
• World Central KitchenminorOthersEmergency grant recipient receiving $100,000 for Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica and Caribbean. Founded by Chef Jose Andres, providing meals during natural disasters.
• World Food Program USAminorOthersEmergency grant recipient receiving $100,000 for Hurricane Melissa relief. US-based charitable partner of UN's World Food Programme providing emergency food to 275,000 people in Cuba alone.
• Edison BallroomminorOthersVenue host for Broadway Bets 2026 poker tournament, providing space for 55 tables and 550 tournament players.
• The Center (LGBT Community Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeneficiary of Broadway Backwards along with Broadway Cares. Partnership spans 20 editions raising $10.9 million combined. Broadway Backwards began at The Center in 2006 before moving to Broadway theaters.
• Dancers Responding to AIDS (DRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram of Broadway Cares producing Fire Island Dance Festival and Hudson Valley Dance Festival. Founded 1991, DRA has distributed millions to those affected by HIV/AIDS through dance community fundraising.
• Broadway Green AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-wide initiative educating and motivating theater community on environmental practices. An ad hoc committee of the Broadway League and a fiscal program of Broadway Cares.
• Broadway ServesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization providing forum for community service and discourse on issues affecting Broadway professionals. Fiscal program of Broadway Cares.
• Broadway & Beyond: Access for Stage Managers of ColorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate providing opportunities for aspiring and current stage managers of color through networking and educational events. Fiscal program of Broadway Cares.
• R.Evolucion LatinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate using arts to empower Latino community through educational programming. Fiscal program of Broadway Cares.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Housing Works: NYC-based advocacy and service organization fighting HIV/AIDS and homelessness through direct services, thrift shops, and events — Broadway Cares grantee with comparable mission overlap and event-driven fundraising culture.
• amfAR (Foundation for AIDS Research): Major national HIV/AIDS-focused nonprofit combining fundraising events, celebrity-driven campaigns, and grantmaking to AIDS research and service organizations — directly comparable grantmaking model and donor base that intersects with Broadway Cares.
• Project Angel Food: Los Angeles-based nonprofit delivering meals to people affected by HIV/AIDS and critical illnesses — Broadway Cares grantee with similar mission expansion beyond HIV/AIDS and comparable event-driven fundraising model.
• The LGBT Community Center (NYC): Co-beneficiary of Broadway Backwards (20 editions, $10.9M raised) and a long-time Broadway Cares partner — directly comparable as a Broadway-anchored LGBTQ+ focused nonprofit hosting signature cultural events for fundraising.
• GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis): Foundational AIDS service organization and recipient of Broadway Cares National Grants, providing direct HIV/AIDS services, prevention, and advocacy — comparable as a grantee/peer within the same HIV/AIDS funding ecosystem.
• God's Love We Deliver: NYC-based nonprofit providing medically tailored meal delivery to people living with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses — a frequent Broadway Cares grantee and direct peer in the HIV/AIDS nutrition service category with similar fundraising events.
• Entertainment Community Fund: Theater and entertainment industry safety net providing social services, health insurance support, and emergency assistance — the largest direct recipient of Broadway Cares funding ($9M+ annually) and closely aligned mission serving performing arts professionals.

Broad incumbents

• Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation: Major national HIV/AIDS-focused grantmaking and research organization with celebrity-driven fundraising campaigns — comparable grantmaking scale and donor cultivation model in the HIV/AIDS vertical.
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Large-scale HIV/AIDS services and grantmaking organization headquartered in a major metropolitan theater/community hub — comparable in mission, regional scope, and event-driven fundraising approach.

Emerging players

• National AIDS Memorial: National advocacy organization honoring the AIDS experience through storytelling, memorialization, and community engagement — thematic peer in the HIV/AIDS space with some overlapping celebrity engagement and donor networks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/broadwaycares
• Xx.com/BCEFA
• Facebookfacebook.com/BCEFA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/broadway-caresequity-fights-aids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Broadway Cares