AIDS Foundation
of Chicago issues $1.4 million in grants

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago announced Thursday that it has issued $1.4 million in grants to area AIDS organizations and programs during its just-completed one-year funding cycle, the largest amount ever awarded by the agency. The 12-month grant cycle ending on June 30 includes $653,000 in new awards for HIV prevention, care, advocacy, evaluation, and capacity-building projects; $235,000 in renewal grants for the Chicago Housing for Health Partnership; and $129,460 for the first year of a partnership to improve access to food and nutritional counseling. AFC also funded an array of special initiatives, including $120,000 for a faith-based project in the African-American community called Faith in Prevention. Twelve churches and faith-based organizations received $10,000 each to support prevention and outreach efforts that reduce the impact of HIV on African-Americans. The project was funded by a one-time grant to AFC from the federal Office of Minority Health. AFC has committed to provide partial funding to continue the project when federal funds end this year. "Church leaders have the opportunity to play an important role in the fight against HIV/AIDS," said the Reverend Doris Green, AFC's director of community affairs. "They are able to reach an audience that we cannot--people who don't seek out HIV information. Through sermons, ministries, and outreach, they are demystifying the epidemic and providing messages of prevention and hope." AFC's board of directors honored grant recipients on Thursday at a special recognition breakfast at Chicago's Hyatt Regency Hotel. "The Chicago area has fantastic organizations that do invaluable HIV/AIDS work," said AFC's executive director Mark Ishaug prior to the breakfast ceremony. "We are proud to fund a greater number of these agencies than ever before, especially as federal funding for domestic AIDS programs continues to decline." For a full list of grants awarded, go online to www.aidschicago.org.