Tom Viola has run the organization as its Executive Director since 1996 , but has been involved since its inception in 1988 . In honor of his exceptional work at Broadway Cares , Viola was awarded a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre at the 64th Tony Awards in 2010 . Viola attributes the growth of the leading organization to the establishment of the Phyllis Newman Women ’s Health Initiative in 1996 . The organization 's grant-making has two emphases . The first is Actors ' Fund of America . BC/EFA supports five major social service programs at The Fund , each of which provides direct assistance to entertainment industry professionals and performing artists who are dealing with a variety of problems , including AIDS , HIV , and HIV-related issues . These seven social service programs are the HIV/AIDS Initiative , the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic , the Phyllis Newman Women 's Health Initiative , the Actors Health Insurance Resource Center , the Actors Fund Work Program , the Stage Managers ' Project and The Dancers ' Resource . Since 1988 , Broadway Cares has given $ 73 million to The Actors Fund
64th Tony Awards
64th Tony Awards
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS