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The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was established
in the United States in 1992 by Sir Elton John.
EJAF's U.S. office is located in New York City.
In 1993, Sir Elton also established the Elton
John AIDS Foundation (EJAF-UK) in the United
Kingdom, headquartered in London. These two organizations
function as separate entities with their own
distinct grant-making portfolios, but both pursue
similar missions - to support innovative HIV
prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma
and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS,
and direct care and support services for people
living with HIV/AIDS. Collectively, the two organizations
have raised over $150 million since inception
in support of projects in 55 countries around
the world, including significant funding dedicated
to programs in their respective home countries.
EJAF-US awards grants to community-based projects in the Americas and the Caribbean.
EJAF-UK focuses its grant-making on programs in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Please
visit www.ejaf.com for further information
on the UK organization.
EJAF regularly evaluates its grant-making priorities
within the context of the ever-changing challenges
and needs of the evolving HIV/AIDS epidemic,
targeting its grant awards where they will make
the greatest impact. This approach has clearly
resonated with our donors, and their generous
response over the past two years has enabled
us to increase EJAF’s grant making by 140%.
We have expanded not only the amount of money
given but also strategically targeted key populations
that are poorly served by current prevention
efforts and most at risk of infection including:
critically under-funded communities of the Southern
United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America;
highly marginalized populations such as injection
drug users, men who have sex with men, and incarcerated
individuals; and underserved populations such
as African Americans and young people.
EJAF focuses on supporting community-based prevention
programs, harm reduction programs, public education
to reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS, advocacy to
improve AIDS-related public policy, and direct
services to persons living with HIV/AIDS, especially
populations with special needs. Direct services
include HIV/AIDS-related medical and mental health
treatment, testing and counseling, food distribution,
assisted living, social service coordination,
and legal aid.
The Foundation’s greatest asset and strength
is its Founder and Chairman, Sir Elton John.
No mere figurehead, Sir Elton serves as EJAF’s
chief fund-raiser – conducting benefit
concerts, meeting with major donors, foundations,
and corporations, and participating in numerous
public events – and also as a highly visible
and outspoken advocate – testifying before
Congress, appearing at press conferences, writing
editorials, and delivering speeches at events
and awards ceremonies. His status as an entertainment
icon and his many years as a dedicated AIDS activist
and philanthropist bring tremendous visibility
and credibility to EJAF’s work.
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