The Fred Ebb Foundation announced November 30 that it will donate $1.675 million to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS this year.
The 2016 donation brings the foundation鈥檚 total contribution to BC/EFA to $13.325 million since it began 12 years ago. The foundation is funded by royalties from late lyricist Ebb's catalogue of work, including , , , and The Visit.
鈥淔red Ebb鈥檚 brilliant legacy 鈥� created with the extraordinary John Kander 鈥� has allowed BC/EFA to increase and expand its support for The Actors Fund to more than $5.6 million in 2016 alone. This amazing gift allows us to extend support to the Artists Health Insurance Resource Center and the Fund鈥檚 Addiction and Recovery Services, nurtures our longtime commitment to the HIV/AIDS Initiative while increasing support for the Phyllis Newman Women鈥檚 Health Initiative, the Dancers鈥� Resource and more,鈥� said BC/EFA鈥檚 executive director Tom Viola in a statement. 鈥淭hroughout the country right now, many of the most vulnerable are concerned, even scared about their rights, access to social services and personal safety. Fred, your gift to BC/EFA and the community will make a profound difference in the lives of thousands of your colleagues and co-workers, friends and loved ones in the business. Your 鈥榬azzle-dazzle鈥� shines forever bright.鈥�
In addition, The Foundation in association with the presented the 12th annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Thomas Mizer and Curtis Moore November 28.
The Fred Ebb Award, according to press notes, recognizes 鈥渆xcellence in musical theatre songwriting, by a songwriter or songwriting team that has not yet achieved significant commercial success. The award is meant to encourage and support aspiring songwriters to create new works for the musical theatre.鈥�
