AIDS Foundation of Chicago
AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1985, it provides systems-level leadership for the Chicago-area HIV/AIDS sector through funding and coordination of services, support for housing and community programming, and advocacy related to HIV/AIDS funding and services.
AIDS Foundation of Chicago at a glance
In short: AIDS Foundation of Chicago gave $27.1M across 46 grants in 2025 (avg $589K), mostly in Illinois. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $27,082,497
- +13.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 46
- -2.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $588,750
- +16.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $188,824
- Total assets
- $21,728,054
- +9.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 46, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to AIDS Foundation of Chicago
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
AFC accepts unsolicited requests through the Community Giving Fund, which is listed as accepting requests. For Ryan White funding, applicants must respond to an open RFP; the 2026 RFP requires an Intent to Apply form and a proposal submission.
- Review Cycle
- For the 2026 Ryan White RFP, the Intent to Apply form was due January 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CST, and the proposal was due January 26, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CST.
- Deadline
- For the 2026 Ryan White RFP, the Intent to Apply form was due January 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 200 West Monroe Street Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 922-2322
Website: https://aidschicago.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who AIDS Foundation of Chicago funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Center for Housing & Health ($15.3M). Together the top 10 received $21.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
263 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 263 (24%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AFC’s stated funding and service work includes Chicago, the surrounding region, and Illinois. Its 2025 reported grant dollars went entirely to Illinois recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
Cities
Is AIDS Foundation of Chicago open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 46 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15.7M (2020) to $27.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 46 grants totaling $27.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Housing & Health Chicago, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $15,328,124 |
| Hektoen Institute Chicago, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $1,515,110 |
| Chicago House and Social Service Agency Chicago, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $954,596 |
| Mother and Child Alliance Chicago, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $753,358 |
| Christian Community Health Center Chicago, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $568,080 |
| Alexian Brothers Chicago, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $522,485 |
| Greater Family Health Elgin, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $513,619 |
| Center on Halsted Chicago, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $422,241 |
| Lake County Health Department Waukegan, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $392,396 |
| Open Door Clinic Elgin, IL | Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS | $392,088 |
Ready to take the next step with AIDS Foundation of Chicago?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $21,728,054 | $41,006,403 | $42,755,753 | $27,082,497 | 46 | $219,276 |
| 2024 | $19,832,791 | $40,047,349 | $41,899,798 | $23,819,509 | 47 | $276,666 |
| 2023 | $21,916,517 | $35,444,643 | $36,753,246 | $21,174,802 | 58 | $138,142 |
| 2022 | $16,331,029 | $35,817,907 | $34,252,936 | $21,616,161 | 61 | $190,773 |
| 2021 | $16,244,841 | $34,933,536 | $34,653,425 | $21,612,069 | 51 | $314,709 |
| 2020 | $15,879,382 | $32,730,762 | $31,968,266 | $15,661,463 | 48 | $105,443 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AFC’s mission is to mobilize communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions. Its stated vision is that people living with HIV or chronic conditions will thrive and that there will be no new cases of HIV.
AFC funds and coordinates HIV-related care and services, including Ryan White case management, housing assistance, and community programming. Its 2024 filing says the organization monitors grant-funded agencies through detailed reports, substantiation, and compliance with funding-source regulations.
The 2025 grant list includes community health providers and social-service organizations. For example, Mother and Child Alliance describes its work as supporting mothers, babies, and providers to prevent HIV and other serious infections, while Center on Halsted says it advances community and the health and well-being of LGBTQ people in Chicagoland. Christian Community Health Center describes its mission as providing primary care regardless of ability to pay.
Grantmaking
In 2025, AFC reported 46 grants totaling $27,082,497. Individual grants ranged from $36,706 to $15,328,124, with a median of $188,824. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois.
The largest 2025 grant was $15,328,124 to Center for Housing & Health, for programs for people dealing with HIV/AIDS. Other large awards included $1,515,110 to Hektoen Institute, $954,596 to Chicago House and Social Service Agency, $753,358 to Mother and Child Alliance, and $568,080 to Christian Community Health Center, each for the same stated purpose.
AFC’s Community Giving Fund accepts requests for grants of $500–$1,500 to organizations advancing community-driven efforts to address HIV and homelessness in Illinois. AFC also solicits proposals for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program services. Its 2026 Ryan White RFP identifies community-based organizations, HIV service organizations, certain Chicago Department of Public Health-funded health homes, and other eligible health and social-service providers as potential respondents. The RFP workbook lists application materials including proof of 501(c)(3) status, SAM.gov registration, client demographics, and financial statements or an independent audit; additional forms depend on the service category.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John Peller as President & CEO; Laurie Wettstead as Chief Financial Officer; Simone G Koehlinger as Chief Programs Officer; Edward Wagner as Chief Officer of External; Thomas Menard as Senior Vice President of Operations; Nadeen Israel as Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy; Peter Toepfer as Senior Vice President of Housing; James Wooters as Senior Director of Grants and Contracts; Cynthia Tucker as Senior Vice President of Prevention & Community; and Freddie Shufford as Vice President of Care.
AIDS Foundation of Chicago is led by John Peller, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 11 of 42 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Peller
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$151K (2020) → $262K (2025)
Geof Brown
Director - Board Chair
Director - Governance Chair → Director - Board Chair & Strat, 2024
Director - Board Chair & Strat → Director - Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nan Silva
Director - Programs Committee Chair
Vice Chair → Director - Board Vice Chair, 2021
Director - Board Vice Chair → Director - Programs Committee Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Sondergeld
Director - Chair Strategy Plan
Director → Director - Chair Strategy Plan, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yusef Garcia
Vice Chair & Gov. Committee Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Gov. Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kara Eastman
Director & Equity Plan Chair
Director → Director & Equity Plan Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Streik
Director-Treasurer & Finance Chair
Director → Director-Treasurer & Finance Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Dibblee
Senior Director - Information Technolog
Director - Information Technology → Senior Director - Information Technolog, 2025
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$101K (2022) → $115K (2025)
James Wooters
Senior Director - Grants & Contracts
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$106K (2022) → $124K (2025)
Adwoa Antwi-Barfi
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caprice Carthans
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cecil Dearborne
Director - Secretary
Director → Director - Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Thompson
Director
Director - Secretary & Co-Chair Strategic Planning → Director - Secretary, 2022
Director - Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Lin
Director
Director → Director - Treasurer & Finance, 2022
Director - Treasurer & Finance → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jp Valadez
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lance Glass
Director
Director → Director - Co-Chair Strategic Planning, 2021
Director - Co-Chair Strategic Planning → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Liu Montsho
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Pounder
Director - Policy & Advocacy C
Director → Director - Policy & Advocacy Chair, 2021
Director - Policy & Advocacy Chair → Director - Policy & Advocacy C, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roy Ferguson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Scott
Director & Development Committee
Director → Director & Development Committee, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Markus Pitchford
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tanya Lopez
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri Wilkerson
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Peterson
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith McQueen
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nnenna Okeke
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Radford
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sergio Mojica
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Mullet
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Travis Gayles
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jorge Cabrera
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jose Diaz De Leon
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sherrine Payton
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Taylor Atkins
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Wagner
Chief Officer of External
Chief Officer of Externalrelations → Chief Officer of External Relations, 2021
Chief Officer of External Relations → Chief Officer of External, 2022
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $151K (2025)
Laurie Wettstead
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $194K (2025)
Simone G. Koehlinger
Chief Programs Officer
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$129K (2020) → $171K (2025)
Cynthia Tucker
Senior Vice President of Prevention & Communit
Vice President of Prevention & Community Partnerships → Vice President of Prevention & Community P, 2022
Vice President of Prevention & Community P → Senior Vice President of Prevention & Communit, 2025
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $122K (2025)
Nadeen Israel
Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy
Vice President of Policy & Advocacy → Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, 2025
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$95K (2021) → $119K (2025)
Thomas Menard
Senior Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Operations → Senior Vice President of Operations, 2025
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$102K (2021) → $123K (2025)
Freddie Shufford
Vice President of Care
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$118K (2025)
Peter Toepfer
Senior Vice President of Housing
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$139K (2025)
Former officers (32)
- Former: Terri Friel (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Lori Kaufmann (2021–2024) — Director - Fund Dvpt Chair
- Former: Brandi Calvert (2022–2024) — Senior Director - Housing Operations
- Former: Kim Hunt (2022–2024) — Senior Director - Policy & Advocacy
- Former: Anthony Bruck (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Craig Johnson (2020–2023) — Director - Board Chair & Strat
- Former: Derrick Kimbrough (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Esteban Rodriguez (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: J. Ben Stringfellow (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Joseph Stokes PhD (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kuliva Wilburn (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Paula Friedman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Bashirat Olayanju (2022–2023) — Vice President of Care
- Former: Crystal Costello (2022–2023) — Vice President of Human Resources & Tale
- Former: Manuel Garcia (2022–2023) — Controller
- Former: Anna Laubach (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Gary Beringer (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Green (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kathye Gorosh (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
- Former: Larry Giddings (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Tony Tintinalli (2020–2021) — Director - Treasurer & Finance Chair
- Former: James Pickett (2021) — Senior Dir-Prevention Advocacy & Gay Men's Health
- Former: Maritza Ruano (2021) — Director & Talent Management
- Former: Rick Guttierez (2021) — Director
- Former: Abbas Hyderi MD (2020) — Director
- Former: Edward W. Diffin III (2020) — Chair of Governance
- Former: Ernie Rodriguez (2020) — Director
- Former: Karriem Watson (2020) — Director
- Former: Kevin James (2020) — Director
- Former: Nicole Kazee (2020) — Director
- Former: Paris Mullen (2020) — Director
- Former: Robert Neubert (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $262K, to John Peller (President & CEO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about AIDS Foundation of Chicago
How much does AIDS Foundation of Chicago give each year?
AIDS Foundation of Chicago gave $27.1M across 46 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $23.8M across 47 grants.
What is AIDS Foundation of Chicago's typical grant size?
AIDS Foundation of Chicago's median grant in 2025 was $188,824, and its average grant was $588,750, across 46 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does AIDS Foundation of Chicago give grants?
AIDS Foundation of Chicago gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (37 grants), Elgin, IL (2 grants) and Joliet, IL (2 grants).
Does AIDS Foundation of Chicago give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 46 grants with a stated purpose on AIDS Foundation of Chicago's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Promote Programs for People Dealing with HIV/AIDS" (46 grants).
Who are AIDS Foundation of Chicago's largest grantees?
AIDS Foundation of Chicago's largest 2025 grantees include Center for Housing & Health ($15,328,124), Hektoen Institute ($1,515,110) and Chicago House and Social Service Agency ($954,596), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is AIDS Foundation of Chicago?
AIDS Foundation of Chicago reported $21.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $41.0M.
What does AIDS Foundation of Chicago fund?
AFC’s mission is to mobilize communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions. Its stated vision is that people living with HIV or chronic conditions will thrive and that there will be no new cases of HIV. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from AIDS Foundation of Chicago?
AFC accepts unsolicited requests through the Community Giving Fund, which is listed as accepting requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is AIDS Foundation of Chicago's EIN?
AIDS Foundation of Chicago's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3412054. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does AIDS Foundation of Chicago accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in AIDS Foundation of Chicago's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). AIDS Foundation of Chicago funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/aids-foundation-of-chicago-morg_94f0f77cde0f4d449e511122173cffc9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363412054_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{AIDS Foundation of Chicago funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/aids-foundation-of-chicago-morg_94f0f77cde0f4d449e511122173cffc9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from AIDS Foundation of Chicago's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
AIDS Foundation of Chicago down — hundreds of funders to go?