VIDEO: Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Carolee Carmello, Ali Ewoldt, Lesli Margherita and Javier Muñoz Offer Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Fundraising Tips

For nearly 25 years, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has been a major presence in New York's theatre community, sponsoring great events like the upcoming Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction (September 25th) and, of course, holding annual fundraising campaigns where cast members make appeals to Audience members for donations after Broadway and Off-Broadway performances.

But you don't have to be a New York actor to help raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, so a quintet of Broadway favorites are featured in the video offering tips on presenting a successful audience appeal for at high school shows, college performance and other events.

Check out Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Carolee Carmello, Ali Ewoldt, Lesli Margherita and Javier Muñoz telling how it's done. Visit broadwaycares.org.

Equity Fights AIDS was founded in October 1987 by the Council of Actors' Equity Association. Money raised through the efforts of Equity theatre companies across the country was specifically earmarked for The Actors Fund's AIDS Initiative.

Broadway Cares was founded in February 1988 by members of The Producers' Group. Money raised was earmarked to be awarded to AIDS service organizations nationwide, including Equity Fights AIDS.

In May 1992, Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares merged to become Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The Board of Trustees of this newly established not-for-profit fundraising organization assumed the missions of the previously separate organizations and continues to fund the social service work of The Actors Fund and to award grants three times a year to AIDS service organizations nationwide.

Unlike most other nonprofit, grant-making organizations, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS must raise every single dollar of our philanthropic budget every year in order to fulfill our mission. In turn, BC/EFA works hard to ensure that the money we raise is spent carefully and wisely on programs where these hard-earned funds can have the maximum possible impact.