AIDS United’s 2022 impact: Letter from the CEO

This is one part of AIDS United’s 2022 Impact Report.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I start this letter with a feeling of both accomplishment and fortitude as I reflect on the work of AIDS United in 2022.

The past year saw so many milestones and achievements, as well as obstacles resulting from unprecedented challenges.

As we were still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our communities were faced with a mpox outbreak and tremendous devastation caused by disastrous hurricanes, tornadoes and other tropical storms in parts of Puerto Rico, the South and other parts of the United States.

These challenges threatened the health and well-being of our communities, and each day, our dedicated team worked tirelessly to advance our goals and make a lasting impact on the lives of millions of us who are living with and vulnerable to HIV.

I’m personally proud of the work that we accomplished in 2022. We expanded our strategic grantmaking portfolio, created new grant programs, and totaled more than $5.5 million in crucial funding to community-based organizations across the country. These grants empowered local communities to develop innovative solutions, enhance access to care and promote comprehensive prevention efforts.

AIDS United is one of the top HIV Funders in the United States.

This year alone, we successfully launched the Harm Reduction Futures Fund, awarded grants to organizations to accelerate technology to end HIV in the South through the Southern HIV Impact Fund. We provided on-the-ground relief to those living with HIV in Puerto Rico that Hurricane Fiona deeply impacted.

In addition to our grantmaking, we continued to advocate for policies that supported our communities. We joined efforts to ensure more federal funding, addressed the mpox outbreak and allied with those battling the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Though AIDSWatch 2022 was again virtual this year, it did not impede us from engaging with federal lawmakers about the importance of equitable health care, the immediate need to accelerate the appropriation of federal dollars to support critical programs and address the ongoing unfair and discriminatory practices that perpetuate structural and institutional racism and other inequities. Furthermore, AIDS United played an active role in providing technical assistance, leadership development and training to health departments, community-based organizations, and activists addressing the HIV epidemic.

Thank you for your support.