Receiving a Lifetime in Action Award
TOM VIOLA is the Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), the philanthropic heart of Broadway and one of the nation’s leading industry-based not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations.
Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has awarded over $310 million for essential services for people living with HIV/AIDS and other critical health issues nationwide. www.broadwaycares.org
BC/EFA supports a variety of programs at The Entertainment Community Fund: The HIV/AIDS Initiative; Friedman Health Center; Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative; Artists Health Insurance Resource Center; Senior Services; Addiction and Recovery Services and more. In 2024, BC/EFA awarded The Actors Fund over $6.5 million.
In addition, BC/EFA awards grants to over 450 social service organizations in all 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. In 2024, BC/EFA’s National Grants Program awarded more than $7.5 million to these agencies, large and small.
A native of Pittsburgh, Viola is a graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati. He performed in regional theatres and worked as a freelance writer until 1987 when he was hired by Actors’ Equity Association for what was to be a temporary assignment. In 1988 he became president Colleen Dewhurst’s executive assistant and administrative director of the then-fledgling Equity Fights AIDS, until its merger with Broadway Cares in 1992. He has been executive director since 1996.
In 2010, Viola was awarded the Tony Honor “in recognition of the leadership, advocacy and creativity with which he has mobilized the theatre community’s response to AIDS and other critical health issues as executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
After 36 years of service, Viola will step down as BC/EFA’s executive director on December 31, 2024.
