Broadway Charities by Cause: Where Your Donation Goes

"Broadway charity" can mean a lot of different things. Some Broadway charities help sick and out-of-work entertainment workers. Others bring students to their first show, fund new plays, green the industry or help theatre audiences take part in civic life. If you're looking for a Broadway charity to support this Giving Tuesday, the best place to start is the cause you care about most. Here's where your donation goes, organized by cause.

Civic engagement and democracy

Broadway for Democracy is a nonpartisan nonprofit that uses the power of Broadway, its artists, stories and audiences, to inspire civic participation. We help theatre fans and theatre workers register, get informed and vote, through voter education events, our Leading Ladies series and partnerships with theatres. We never tell anyone how to vote. We're a new 501(c)(3), founded in 2026, so every gift right now helps us build. Give this Giving Tuesday.

Health and emergency help for theatre workers

• Entertainment Community Fund: founded in 1882 as The Actors Fund. Social services, emergency financial help, housing and career support for everyone in performing arts and entertainment.
• Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS: one of Broadway's longtime charities. It raises money across the theatre community for HIV/AIDS, health and social-service organizations nationwide, including major support for the Entertainment Community Fund.
• Behind the Scenes Foundation: grants for crew members, technicians and designers facing serious illness or injury.
• Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund: help for New York musicians facing illness or hardship.

More in our post on Broadway charities that help actors and theatre workers.

Education and young people

• Broadway Bridges: Broadway shows for New York City public high school students, from The Broadway League Foundation.
• The Jimmy Awards: the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
• Inside Broadway: theatre programs in New York City public schools since 1982.
• American Theatre Wing: scholarships and training through the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative and SpringboardNYC.

More in our guide to Broadway education nonprofits.

Access to theatre

Theatre Development Fund (TDF) runs the TKTS booth, discount memberships, student programs and accessibility services, including autism-friendly performances.

Equity and justice in theatre

• Black Theatre United: founded in 2020 to advance access, representation and inclusion in American theatre.
• Broadway Advocacy Coalition: arts and storytelling for justice, through workshops and fellowships.

New work and artists

• Dramatists Guild Foundation: grants, writing space and fellowships for playwrights, composers and lyricists.
• American Theatre Wing: Jonathan Larson Grants for early-career musical theatre writers.
• Actors' Equity Foundation: grants to nonprofit theatres and career programs for stage actors.

The environment

Broadway Green Alliance helps the theatre industry go green through Green Captains, recycling drives and greening grants.

Animals

Broadway Barks, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, helps New York-area shelters find homes for dogs and cats each summer.

Nonprofit theatres

Roundabout Theatre Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center Theater and Second Stage produce on Broadway as nonprofits, and donations support their seasons and education programs. See nonprofit theatres on Broadway.

Find more

For the full directory, see our guide to Broadway charities and nonprofits. To learn about smaller organizations, see small Broadway nonprofits worth knowing. And for ways to help beyond donating, read how to support Broadway without buying a ticket.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main Broadway charities?

Major Broadway charities include Broadway for Democracy, the Entertainment Community Fund, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the American Theatre Wing, Theatre Development Fund, Black Theatre United and the Broadway Green Alliance, among others.

Which Broadway charity helps theatre workers?

The Entertainment Community Fund, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Behind the Scenes Foundation and the Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund all help theatre workers in need.

Is there a Broadway charity for civic engagement?

Yes. Broadway for Democracy is a nonpartisan nonprofit that helps theatre fans and workers register, get informed and vote.

When is Giving Tuesday 2026?

Giving Tuesday 2026 is Tuesday, December 1.