The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is pleased to announce 18 award recipients of its 2014 Challenge Grants — a legacy program that awards financial support to organizations that are making a difference in the HIV epidemic and the lives of people living with the virus in Illinois. A combined total of $220,000 was awarded among the receiving organizations.
This year, funding was determined based on four categories: Community Mobilization, Strengthening Communities & Reducing Health Disparities, Integration of Service Systems, and Improving Outcomes at Every Stage of HIV Care. These categories directly align with the initiatives set forth by AFC’s 2013-2015 Strategic Plan.
“After an in-depth review process by our Grant Making Committee, we are excited to announce this year’s grant recipients and look forward to supporting an array of innovative and strong HIV/AIDS programs,” said Cynthia Tucker, AFC’s director of Prevention and Community Partnerships.
AFC will be providing funding to the following organizations:
- AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
- Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance
- Care2Prevent at the University of Chicago
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago/Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition Enhancement
- Chicago House & Social Service Agency
- FCAN
- Heartland Health Outreach
- Hektoen Institute for Medical Research/City-Wide Adolescent Sexual Health Roundtable
- Howard Brown Health Center
- LAF
- McDermott Center (Haymarket)
- New Age Services Corporation
- Open Door Clinic
- Planned Parenthood of Illinois
- Puerto Rican Cultural Center — Vida/SIDA/MSM Taskforce
- The CORE Foundation/Step Up Get Tested Plus
- The Night Ministry
- TPA Network
The 2014 Challenge Grants prioritize strategies advancing the fight against HIV/AIDS within the following populations identified in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men of all races and ethnicities, African Americans, Latinos/Latinas, transgender people and women of color.
“Given the major changes facing the HIV/AIDS service sector, including implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, new prevention strategies and the increasing need for community collaboration, our Challenge Grants give us an opportunity to fund innovative programs that address immediate and long-term priorities in an ever-changing HIV/AIDS landscape,” said John Peller, AFC president/CEO.
