December 1st is World AIDS Day.
Each year, today marks a global demonstration of solidarity for individuals coping with HIV and a remembrance of those who succumbed to AIDS-related conditions. An estimated 39.0 million people worldwide are living with the virus, and over 40.0 million have lost their lives to it.
In honoring the theme “Let Communities Lead” for the 2023 observance, we commend the outstanding local NGOs at the forefront of this cause.
As a celebration of this year’s theme, we provide you the 5 Tips for Applying for Grants to Combat AIDS and HIV.
When you work in the field of HIV and AIDS, it is of utmost importance that you use the newest and most recent scientific knowledge to do so. The field is constantly evolving and new developments are made. You have to make sure that your premises are based on the most accurate data so that you can make the biggest impact. Stay up to date in the field and follow closely what is been published about it to make sure you are on top of the game.
When you approach the fight against HIV and AIDS, make sure you think about it in a holistic way. While fighting a disease might seem straightforward on the surface, there are so many factors that play into it. If you do not consider the different circumstances people are in, your project might fail even if you have great ideas. Poverty, gender inequality, and a lack of education are cross-cutting themes playing a huge role in the dispersion of the virus and should be taken into account. If people already have contracted the virus, it is even more important that they get support on different levels so they do not pass it on to other people and are stable enough to take care of themselves.
HIV and AIDS disproportionally affect marginalized groups. When you propose a project, make sure you take into account all the stakeholders and all potential beneficiary groups. The most vulnerable groups of society often are overlooked but are at the highest risk for contracting the disease. You need to address this in your proposal and have a system to include specifically these groups.
While it can be tempting to make pity pleas for your beneficiaries, it is never advisable to do so. Instead, try to empower your beneficiaries in a way that they learn to speak up for themselves. Particularly in the case of work with AIDS and HIV, it is important to make clear that the people – even if they have contracted the virus – are much more and cannot be reduced to only this one characteristic.
Make sure that your project is not a stand-alone project but is embedded and connected within broader strategies. Almost all countries that deal with many cases of HIV and AIDS have a national strategy to combat it. The Sustainable Development Goals address the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Make sure that your project fits within a broader scheme and aligns with national and regional strategies. If for some reason it does not, make sure that you address the reasons for it – i.e. if you do not agree with the national strategies or feel like they need to be supplemented.
The Global Fund is a vital partnership committed to eradicating AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria worldwide. Through substantial investments and collaborative efforts across more than 100 countries, they bolster health systems, challenge injustice, and provide crucial support, contributing 30% of international financing for HIV programs and investing $24.2 billion in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment as of June 2022.
Founded in 1988, the IAS stands as the largest association of HIV professionals globally, uniting experts from over 170 countries. By convening, educating, and advocating, the IAS aims to eliminate HIV as a threat to public health and individual well-being.
Leading the charge to end AIDS by 2030, UNAIDS organizes global efforts by offering strategic direction, advocacy, and technical support. With a data-driven approach, they provide crucial analysis on the HIV epidemic and lead the most extensive data collection on HIV epidemiology and program coverage. Collaborating with all UN agencies, UNAIDS unites diverse efforts for their mission.
As a UN agency dedicated to global health, WHO connects nations and individuals to ensure health for all. Its Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programs spearheads strategies to eliminate these diseases as public health threats. WHO develops evidence-based guidelines and offers technical support, fostering progress in combating these diseases globally.
Aids Fonds’ mission is a world without Aids. Aid Fond is involved in the prevention, treatment, care, and support of people with HIV. The Fund develops campaigns and raises money for AIDS projects. The Fund invests in scientific research, provides prevention and treatment for vulnerable groups, and fights for the rights of people with HIV.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s mission is to advance clinical care for persons with HIV infection and therefore supports research.
Anglo American Group Foundation’s mission is to promote sustainable livelihoods. The main areas of interest of the Foundation are community development, education & training, environment, HIV/AIDS, and welfare.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s mission is to reduce inequities around the world. In the developing world, the foundation focuses on improving health and alleviating extreme poverty. In the United States, the Foundation supports programs related to education. In their local region, the Foundation promotes strategies and programs that help low-income families.
Elton John AIDS Foundation’s mission is to alleviate the physical, emotional, and financial hardship of those who live with or are affected by HIV/AIDS.
HIV Research Trust is a charitable foundation that provides financial support to physicians, nurses, scientists, and other health care professionals in early/mid-career who are located in resource-limited settings from low-income and lower-middle-income countries working in the field of HIV infection.
Johnson & Johnson’s mission is to advance the health of communities in which they live and work, and the world community as well. The foundation focuses in three strategic areas: saving and improving the lives of women and children, preventing disease among the most vulnerable, and strengthening the health workforce.
M.A.C. AIDS Fund’s mission is to serve people of all ages, all races, and all sexes affected by HIV and AIDS. The Fund also supports innovative organizations around the world that provide vital services and strengthen the safety net for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Merck Company Foundation’s mission is to support organizations and advanced plans that are aligned with three priority areas: health, education and community. The Foundation supports qualified nonprofit organizations and innovative programs that are finding solutions to key global challenges.
Open Society Foundation’s mission is to support initiatives concerned with arts and culture, children and youth, civil society development, economic reform, education at all levels, legal reform and public administration, media and communications, publishing, and health care.
The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation’s mission is to support organizations delivering direct care and services to people living with HIV/AIDS, and supports organizations that provide education to the public regarding the AIDS virus and the prevention of AIDS.
The Global Fund’s mission is to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. It attracts and disburses additional resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in countries most in need.
Priti is a Development Professional with years of experience as a Director of Operations for an American humanitarian organization in Nepal. She is a published writer and researcher focusing on international development funding and grassroots NGOs. She holds a master’s degree in Business. She oversees the team that provides support to NGOs and site users.
application for finance assistance in support of SHAPO project
application for finance assistance in support of (SHAPO) skilling and HIV/AIDS prevention organization project Uganda.