AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. (AFH), a nonprofit dedicated to ending the HIV epidemic in the greater Houston area, has announced that biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. has given the organization a $500,000, one-year grant. The transformational gift will support a variety of outreach and prevention programs to improve equitable access to care.

“AIDS Foundation Houston envisions the day when HIV is stigma-free and rare, and everyone has equitable access to care,” said John Huckaby, CEO.

“Equitable access is our passion. It's a matter of justice, and it’s the only way we will end the HIV epidemic—we will end it when we end it for everyone, especially our communities most impacted. Gilead’s investment ensures that we can continue our education inside Texas prisons, provide outreach across multiple platforms to reach those most vulnerable, increase access to testing in-person and at home, and quickly link persons into care. We are grateful for Gilead's continued support of our mission and work.”

AFH and Gilead celebrated the gift with a check presentation and donor reception on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Monday, February 7, 2022. HIV disproportionately impacts Persons of Color, Transgender persons, and gay and bisexual men. African Americans account for the highest number of persons living with HIV in Houston.

Gilead’s gift will further AFH’s work with funding earmarked for:

· Additional staff to engage with the community and coordinate supportive services

· Outreach campaigns to generate awareness about AFH’s testing services, along with messaging aimed at education and stigma reduction

· The setup of a satellite office so that AFH can expand access to vital services

· Operations of a mobile clinic that will enable the organization to reach and serve persons where they live and work

· Implementation of B.E.S.T. (Be Empowered to Self-Test) Box, AFH’s convenient, private at-home HIV testing kit, which allows individuals to learn their status and discuss results and next steps with a provider via tele-health consultation

· Wall Talk, AFH’s peer-based education program for currently incarcerated individuals, which has provided peer education to more than 40,000 individuals and reached more than 85,000 individuals with information about HIV, STIs, and sexual violence since 2018.

Gilead has supported AFH since 2013. The $500,000 grant—Gilead’s largest gift yet—brings the company’s total support for the organization to more than $1.6 million over the past decade. This gift to expand outreach and testing will complement AFH’s other programs including PrEP and rapid-start treatment services, case management, affordable housing, transportation, food, and other supportive services for persons vulnerable to and living with HIV.

“Gilead is committed to funding programs and organizations that offer much-needed services and support for communities affected by HIV,” said Darwin Thompson, Director, Corporate Giving Gilead Sciences. “We are proud to support AIDS Foundation Houston, as they have shown a steadfast commitment in working to improve the health and wellness of the Houston community.”