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Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS contributes $55,808 to The AFC – the lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the U.S. – based national touring companies of ONCE, NEWSIES, JERSEY BOYS and MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL, a total of $55,808 has been raised for The AFC, the lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry.

The money, raised by ONCE, NEWSIES, JERSEY BOYS and MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL company members as part of U.S. – based Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS fall 2015 fundraising campaign, will help Canadian entertainment professionals maintain their health, dignity and ability to work. Funds were raised through audience collections in Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener – Waterloo, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Special thanks to Mirvish Productions Ltd., The National Arts Centre, Centre In The Square, Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium and The Queen Elizabeth Theatre and their audiences for their generosity.

Since 2003, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), one of the leading industry-based AIDS fundraising and grant making organizations in the U.S., has had a unique collaborative fundraising initiative with The AFC: when a U.S.-based national tour plays in a Canadian city, money raised by that tour as part of their on-going support for BC/EFA is shared 50/50 with The AFC. With this arrangement, U.S. tours can continue to be a part of BC/EFA’s grant making in the States while making sure that resources raised from Canadian audiences assists those in the entertainment industry in Canada.

In the last 24 months, The AFC has distributed over $1 million in emergency financial aid to help Canadian entertainment professionals working in all aspects of film & TV, music, theatre and dance. Visit AFChelps.ca to learn more. The AFC thanks BC/EFA for their continued support.

Photo: The company of the national touring production of NEWSIES after their 400th performance! via Facebook