Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)

EJAF is a dynamic non-profit organization whose mission is to end the AIDS epidemic by ensuring everyone has the information and means to prevent infection and all people living with HIV have access to high-quality medical care and treatment. They believe AIDS can be beaten, so they raise funds for evidence-based programs and policies, and speak out with honesty and compassion about the realities of people’s lives. Elton John created the Foundation nearly 25 years ago, in the United States in 1992 and the United Kingdom in ’93, in response to the urgent need for philanthropic support to address the global AIDS crisis and provide assistance to people living with or dying of AIDS.  Through hard work and with the help of their generous friends and supporters, the two foundations together have raised more than $385 million over the past 24 years. Today, the Foundation continues to pursue the mandate Elton set forth almost 25 years ago. Although tremendous scientific progress has been achieved in HIVprevention and treatment, universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, and health care continues to be a concern, and their mission remains the same – to fight for the dignity and well-being every person, combat stigma, prevent HIV infections, ensure universal HIV treatment for all who need it, and pressure governments to end AIDS.  The U.S. foundation focuses its efforts on programs in the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean and was recently recognized by Funders for LGBTQ Issues as the largest funder of LGBTQ health programs in the nation and by Funders Concerned About AIDS as the largest HIV funder of programs for transgender people. For eleven consecutive years, EJAF’s U.S. foundation has been recognized as a four-star charity – the very highest rating – by Charity Navigator, indicating the Foundation consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and adheres to good governance and other best practices that promote and ensure ethical and transparent business dealings. EJAF’s strong financial health and dynamic and flexible grant-making philosophy position the organization ideally to respond quickly to medical breakthroughs and innovation, to adjust its grant-making priorities to address the needs of the ever-shifting demographics of this global epidemic, and to advocate for policies that protect and strengthen the health and rights of people affected by HIV/AIDS. History The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was established in the United States in 1992 by Sir Elton John, now headquartered in New York City. In 1993, Sir Elton also established his Foundation as a registered charity in the United Kingdom, headquartered in London. Both organizations pursue the same mission – to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS through innovative HIV prevention programs, eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and support direct HIV-related care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Together, since their inception, the U.S. and U.K. branches of the Elton John AIDS Foundation have raised over $300 million in support of worthy projects across the globe, including significant funding dedicated to programs in their respective home countries. The U.K. organization allocates similar levels of funding to programs in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The U.S. organization invests more than $6 million each year in grants to community-based projects across the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean.