The Fred Ebb Foundation has awarded $2.6 million to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, topping the foundation鈥檚 previous donation and cementing its place as the largest single donor in Broadway Cares history.
One-and-a-half million dollars has already been donated to The Actors Fund to provide assistance for those in entertainment and the performing arts. The Fred Ebb Foundation gift, shepherded by Ebb鈥檚 nephew Mitchell S. Bernard, will also jump start Broadway Cares鈥� continuing national grant-making in 2022.
鈥淔red and Mitch give us the means and ability to respond with strength and reach those struggling in our theatre community as well as in communities across the nation in the hope that a brighter tomorrow belongs to us all,鈥� Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Executive Director Tom Viola said.
鈥淭he pandemic has limited the foundation鈥檚 income because the theatres were dark,鈥� added Bernard. 鈥淏ut for the same reason, this is a time of enormous need within the theatre community with so many people unable for so long to work and keep insurance, even as their medical and other needs increased. That makes me especially glad to make this contribution from the Ebb Foundation.鈥�
In his will, Tony winner Ebb, who created 14 musicals with John Kander, declared that royalties earned on his works would be distributed yearly to Broadway Cares. With an initial donation of $300,000 in 2005, the foundation has now cumulatively shared $24.8 million with Broadway Cares.
To celebrate the foundation鈥檚 donation and to honor the Kander and Ebb team, the current cast of Broadway鈥檚 Chicago created a video of 鈥淗ot Honey Rag鈥� featuring onstage and backstage company members, clips of iconic Chicago performers, and a tribute to Tony winner Ann Reinking, who died in 2020. Watch the video below:
The Fred Ebb Foundation also helps artists and musicians through the Fred Ebb Award, given annually to an aspiring songwriter or songwriting team that shows excellence. In 2021, an award of $60,000 was given to the team of Isabella Dawis and Tidtaya Sinutoke.
