“Fred Ebb’s legacy extends far beyond the extraordinary body of work he created with John Kander. Through his visionary decision to leave his royalties to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and to support promising composer-lyricist teams, Fred transformed artistic success into a lasting force for compassion and opportunity throughout the theater community.”
Danny Whitman
Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
What the Foundation Does
The Fred Ebb Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in musical theatre songwriting. The award honors composers and lyricists who have not yet achieved significant commercial success, offering both recognition and meaningful financial support.
Each year, the recipient receives a $60,000 stipend to help advance their work and career in musical theatre.
By investing directly in emerging writers, the Foundation strengthens the future of American musical theatre.
The Family of Fred Ebb Award Winners
Since 2005, the Fred Ebb Foundation has annually recognized outstanding emerging musical theatre songwriters through the Fred Ebb Award.
The Foundation uses royalties from Fred Ebb’s body of work to fund the award—ensuring that, even long after his passing, his artistry continues to support new voices in musical theatre.
The Ongoing Legacy of Kander and Ebb
John Kander and Fred Ebb remain one of the most influential songwriting teams in American theatre history. Together, they created an extraordinary canon of musicals known for their wit, theatricality, and emotional depth. With Kander’s unforgettable melodies and Ebb’s distinctive lyrics, their collaborations have left a lasting mark on Broadway and global theatre. The Fred Ebb Foundation ensures that this legacy lives on—not only through their work, but through the next generation of musical theatre songwriters.