Background

The AIDS Fund was created to support programs aimed at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and for care and treatment for those who have been infected.

Grantmaking priorities

The AIDS Fund is open to supporting a variety of HIV education and prevention programs. Grants will be directed primarily toward prevention programs addressing those groups identified as most at risk and representing the area of greatest growth of HIV infection: African American men who have sex with men (MSM); African American women of color engaging in high risk behavior; and injection drug users also known as PWID (persons who inject drugs.)

• Geographically, funding is limited to projects that will significantly improve the lives of people living in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. However, priority will be given to organizations serving areas with high incidence of HIV/AIDS.
• The AIDS Fund will consider only one application per organization. Organizations with current WI AIDS Fund grants must submit a progress report by November 13, 2015.

Priority #1

African American men who have sex with men (MSM): Focus will be on young MSM (ages 14-29) and their partners.

The fund is open to supporting a range of strategies for meeting the HIV prevention needs of African American MSM. There is particular interest in programs that address segments of the MSM population that experience significant barriers and limited access to HIV prevention programs based on race, age, religious background, geographic location and socioeconomic status.

The fund is interested in evidence-based prevention programming or strategies that have been suggested by feedback from the affected community.

• Programs that are part of a more comprehensive approach to sexuality and HIV prevention
• Programs that deal with the psycho/social factors associated with HIV risk behavior
• Peer education and peer development
• Information and referral, particularly information on safe sex and STD prevention
• Mentoring, and
• Training and support of organizations developing or piloting programs targeting prevention in African American and Latino communities in Wisconsin

The fund is also interested in collaborative approaches and strategies that involve youth in the planning, design and implementation of the programs. It will be important in this, as in all other categories, that there is clear connection between the planned strategies and HIV prevention.

Priority #2

African American women, girls and male to female transgender individuals engaging in high risk behavior

This target population would include: sex partners of injection drug users; women who trade sex for money, shelter, or drugs; those involved in the criminal justice system; and homeless women, girls and MtF Transgender individuals.

Possible programs include:

• Peer to peer counseling and education and peer counselor development
• Outreach to correctional institutions and homeless shelters
• Street outreach programs
• Advocacy
• Access to health care that promotes HIV and STD screenings
• Multi-session contacts with target populations, and
• Training and support for organizations developing programs targeting prevention in African American and Latino communities in Wisconsin

Priority #3

Injection drug users also known as PWID

This target group includes individuals who inject any substance, including legal and illegal drugs and hormones, and share the needles and/or other injection equipment. Most of the fund’s resources in this area will be directed toward needle exchange programs.

Other funding considerations:

• The extent to which the project relates to unmet needs not addressed by other human service systems and represents an innovative approach to the problem or to the delivery of services
• The availability of other resources to support the project and the disclosure of those resources
• The potential for the program becoming self-sufficient in the future
• The extent of collaboration/coordination and cooperation with other service providers, and
• The extent to which evaluation components have been included in the program design and project execution

Eligibility

Grants will be made only to 501(c)(3) nonprofits or governmental agencies. Eligible nonprofits must have board membership that is at least 10 percent people of color. Grants will not be made directly to individuals. The maximum grant request is $25,000. A 35 percent match is required.

Use of funds

Funds may be used for direct personnel costs, related administrative and office expenses essential to the project. Funds may not be used for endowments, debt reductions, third party reimbursements, or to substitute for funds available to support similar services. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to secure 35 percent of the total project budget from other sources.

Application process

Please review the steps in the How to apply for a grant section under the Grant Seekers menu and then click on the “Apply For Grant” button at the bottom of the page. You will be taken to a page where you can log on to Philanthropy Online to complete your application. If you are a first-time applicant, please fill out the new user registration form first.

The fund’s grants advisory committee reviews grant proposals and makes recommendations. These recommendations are then submitted to and approved by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board.

---

Return to AIDS Fund home

Grants Portal Access