21 Theatre-Related Charities to Donate to on #GivingTuesday

The crazed shopping season between Thanksgiving and December 25 is in full swing. But as you prepare individual items to gift the special someones in your life (and capitalize on Cyber Monday deals), the occasion also marks a time to give to organizations that support causes about which you’re passionate. From foundations that support writers to create new work in the theatre to charities that assist everyone in entertainment, from arts education programs to groups endorsed by Broadway’s best, here are 21 theatre-related charities worthy of your generosity:

FUND MULTIPLE INITIATIVES IN ONE DONATION
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
One of the best known charities in the theatre community, in 2016 BC/EFA raised over $12 million for the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, the free health clinic, addiction and recovery services, The Dancer’s Resource, the Actors Fund Work Program, food services and meal delivery programs, emergency aid, and more. The organization advocates for those suffering from HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and around the world through financial contributions, dissemination of educational materials, and encouraging awareness and public support. Through its two largest fundraising campaigns in the fall and spring (which culminate in Gypsy of the Year and the Easter Bonnet), events like Broadway Bares, Broadway Bakes, and the Broadway Flea Market, and more, BC/EFA and their consistent commitment to raising awareness and funds renders them a leader in the giving spirit of the Broadway community. Click here to donate.

Support a non-profit theatre company.
Make a donation to a non-profit theatre company—whether it produces work for Broadway, Off-Broadway, or your own community. Roundabout Theatre Company, Lincoln Center Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Second Stage all produce for Broadway and Off-Broadway; MCC Theater, the Public, Ars Nova, and Signature Theatre are all notable Off-Broadway producers. But the list of theatres and theatre companies to support is seemingly endless. Find a theatre that aligns with artists you enjoy and work you feel is important, go to their website, and send that check!

The Actors Fund for Everyone in Entertainment
Better known as The Actors Fund for short, this organization provides a “safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan”—and some services even extend to their family members. Founded in 1882, The Actors Fund has served artists in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio, and dance for over 100 years. From counseling and social services to emergency financial aid, from employment training for “survival jobs” or a career transition to healthcare and health insurance provision, from affordable housing to The Actors Fund Home assisted living and nursing care facility, from homecare to money management education to parenting resources for families with youth performers, The Actors Fund covers it all. Click here to donate.

Donate to theatres affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
Hurrican Harvey swept through the Gulf region of Texas, devastating the city of Houston. The theatre community, including Theatre Under the Stars, the Alley Theatre, and the Houston Grand Opera, have been working to rebuild ever since. Likewise, there are theatres in Florida affected by Hurricane Irma and those in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

SUPPORT NEW WORK
American Theatre Wing
The organization that administers the annual Tony Awards and Obie Awards invests in new work and honors theatrical excellence, specifically geared towards bringing diverse stories and enriching American culture through theatre. Through financial initiatives, educational outreach, grants for writers, scholarships for professionals, and content creation that builds the profile of theatre on a national level, the Wing ensures the future of stagecraft. Click here to donate.

Dramatist Guild Foundation
For over 50 years, the Dramatist Guild Foundation has supported playwrights, composers, lyricists, and book writers to, in turn, support the creation of new work for the American theatre. Through Traveling Masters, DGF provides free writing classes and workshops around the country; through Fellows, up-and-coming writers gain professional experience and forge relationships with seasoned mentors; the Music Hall provides free space and equipment for writing; and grants fund writers and their projects. Alumni of the Guild’s many programs include Tony and Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Tony winner Jason Robert Brown, Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel, and many more. Click here to donate.

Drama League
Best known for its annual Drama League Awards, the organization offers benefits to audiences and artists. Through ticket discounts, education programs, and more, the Drama League works to fortify audience experience; through fellowships, artistic residencies, the Summer Professional Theater Intensive, and more, the League bolsters creators. Click here to donate.

New Dramatists
For play lovers out there, New Dramatists specifically supports playwrights. The nationally renowned Playwrights’ Lab provides resident playwrights with writing resources and the opportunity to host a reading of their work—a crucial step in the development of a new play—with a director, stage manager, and professional actors at no cost. All four 2017 Tony nominees for Best Play are alumni of New Dramatists and the current and “graduate” playwrights of the coalition have won 19 Pulitzers, 21 Tonys, 76 Obies, 17 Drama Desks, 13 Blackburn Awards, and six MacArthur Fellowships. Click here to donate.

The Broadway League Foundation
The charitable arm of The Broadway League (the national trade association for Broadway), this foundation serves the theatergoing public. The foundation aims to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of theatre and to provide a forum for conversation about the preservation and promotion of live theatre. With Family First Nights, the Foundation helps economically at-risk families attend Broadway together, and with the National High School Musical Theatre Awards they emphasize the importance of theatre education in schools. The League Foundation also sponsors benefit concerts and events to raise money and awareness for initiatives like Viva Broadway, the Actors Fund, and more. Click here to donate.

ADVOCATE FOR THEATRE AND ARTS EDUCATION
Inside Broadway
The non-profit theatre company brings over 40,000 New York City students to performances and workshops to expose them to the arts, as well as their Creating The Magic series, which brings youth to Broadway theatres to learn about the multitude of professions on Broadway—from tech to costumes to acting onstage—in hopes of inspiring the next generation of artists. Click here to donate.

Rosie’s Theater Kids
The mantra of the theatre education program founded by Rosie O’Donnell is “We’re rehearsing for life.” Supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, Rosie’s Theatre Kids was founded in 2003 and impacts students in three in-school phases to expose students to the performing arts, with additional tutoring resources, summer intensives, the Spotlight on Fitness, and more. Provided at no fee or at a large subsidy, RTKids is committed to serving children of all backgrounds. Click here to donate.

52nd Street Project
A community-based arts organization, the Project pairs kids age 10 and up with theatre professionals to create original work that is then presented to the public. Through poetry, photography, design, dance, stage combat, filmmaking, and theatre, the Project uses the arts to enhance life skills and learning. Click here to donate.

Anthony Quinn Foundation
Named for the visual artist and actor, the scholarship program sponsors select young adults to pursue their talents in visual arts and design, performance, media and literacy arts. Earlier this year, Lin-Manuel Miranda was honored with the Anthony Quinn Foundation Award for his impact on the future of the arts. Click here to donate.

Story Pirates
Based in New York City and Los Angeles, Story Pirates pairs teachers with performers to convert children’s original stories into sketch comedy musicals. By encouraging self-expression, Story Pirates aims to empower the next generation through the arts. Click here to donate.

Educational Theatre Association (EdTA)
The Educational Theatre Association supports students and teachers by recognizing student achievement, providing professional development, equipment, and more to educators, and publicly advocating for the necessity of theatre education. The non-profit also publishes a monthly magazine for high school theatre students, Dramatics, and a quarterly industry publication for educators, Teaching Theatre. Click here to donate.

Dramatic Need
This month’s “The Children’s Monologues” at Carnegie Hall brought greater awareness to this international charity. Dramatic Needs provides an artistic outlet to underserved children in South Africa and Rwanda by building arts centers, staffing them, and supplying art-making materials. The charity’s “Children’s Monologues” gives voice to the stories of these children through a one-night-only performance event each year. Click here to donate.

JOIN BROADWAY NAMES IN SUPPORTING
Only Make Believe
Located in New York City and Washington, D.C., Only Make Believe uses theatre to heal and inspire ailing children. The non-profit creates and performs interactive pieces for kids in hospitals and long term care facilities. Earlier this month, the organization honored Josh Groban at their annual gala. Click here to donate.

You Gotta Believe
Supported by Seth Rudetsky and his husband, James Wesley, through their annual Voice for the Voiceless Concert: Stars for Foster Kids, You Gotta Believe is an initiative to find permanent parents for teen and young adult foster youth who may have “aged out” of the system. Click here to donate.

Sing For Your Seniors
Founded by Jackie Vanderbeck, Sing For Your Seniors brings music sessions to elderly residents in long-term care facilities. Averaging 60 performances a year from 150 volunteer singers and 20 volunteer pianists, Sing For Your Seniors has also included sessions by Broadway shows such as Bandstand and Fun Home to bring joy and healing through song. Click here to donate.

Trevor Project
The only organization offering crisis intervention and suicide prevention to LGBTQ people under age 25, The Trevor Project is a network of outreach, counseling, and peer-to-peer social networking for those in need. The Project also provides educational materials to other youth-serving organizations and hosts an advocacy department for pro-LGBTQ laws and to fight anti-LGBTQ philosophy and legislation. Shoshana Bean has just been announced as a performer at the upcoming Los Angeles gala honoring Tom Ford and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth. Click here to donate.

Covenant House
Since opening their doors in 1972, Covenant House has saved more than 1 million homeless youth. Providing beds, counseling, mentorship, and more, the organization (with houses all across the country) is a safe haven for homeless and trafficked youth. Over the last few years, the Broadway community, led by Capatha Jenkins and Stephanie J. Block, has come together to raise awareness and funds with the Broadway Sleep Out. Click here to donate.

21 Theatre-Related Charities to Donate to on #GivingTuesday

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