The Foundation for AIDS Research
The Foundation for AIDS Research, known as amfAR, is a public charity based in New York, New York. Its stated mission is to end the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research, and it supports research, policy advocacy, and global health work related to HIV/AIDS.
The Foundation for AIDS Research at a glance
In short: The Foundation for AIDS Research gave $2.5M across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $137K), top state Ohio. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,458,234
- +228.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $136,569
- +64.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $57,990,840
- +8.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (5 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (17% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Foundation for AIDS Research
- Review Cycle
- The listed deadline for full applications for that Target Grants cycle was August 24, 2026, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time; this was a past deadline as of October 2, 2026.
- Deadline
- The listed deadline for full applications for that Target Grants cycle was August 24, 2026, at 3 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 120 Wall Street 13Th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3908
Phone: (212) 806-1600
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Foundation for AIDS Research
Who The Foundation for AIDS Research funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Case Western Reserve University ($410K). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 89 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares of grant dollars went to Ohio (17%), California (15%), Florida (14%), Minnesota (14%), and Washington (13%). AmfAR’s website also describes TREAT Asia’s work across the Asia-Pacific region.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Foundation for AIDS Research open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 18 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $57K; repeat grants $167K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $56K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $749K (2024) to $6.7M (2019). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH | Research | $410,149 |
| University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN | Research | $344,570 |
| University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Research | $323,919 |
| University of Miami Coral Gables, FL | Research | $322,246 |
| Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Seattle, WA | Research | $319,175 |
| The Wisar Institute Philadelphia, PA | Research | $189,931 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Treat Asia | $189,725 |
| Columbia University New York, NY | Treat Asia | $56,133 |
| Fenway Community Health Center Inc Boston, MA | Research | $50,000 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Research | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Foundation for AIDS Research?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,990,840 | $34,783,944 | $33,341,549 | $2,458,234 | 18 | $1,647,098 |
| 2024 | $53,354,032 | $24,845,796 | $29,565,511 | $748,500 | 9 | $628,771 |
| 2023 | $50,719,163 | $29,082,707 | $33,940,246 | $3,271,032 | 19 | $906,419 |
| 2022 | $55,186,037 | $31,444,145 | $28,004,142 | $1,735,809 | 21 | $765,179 |
| 2021 | $55,843,595 | $23,531,459 | $27,671,950 | $3,860,424 | 22 | $2,662,978 |
| 2020 | $54,739,518 | $21,342,510 | $28,841,896 | $3,312,170 | 22 | $3,193,491 |
| 2019 | $64,157,103 | $31,341,390 | $34,972,204 | $6,726,787 | 34 | $2,262,943 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
On its 2024 filing, amfAR stated that it is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. Its program description identifies HIV/AIDS as its primary and enduring commitment, while also describing research in related areas where viruses and the immune system play a defining role, including cancer, neurological conditions, aging, autoimmune disorders, and other viral diseases.
AmfAR’s website describes research support spanning basic science, pre-clinical development, and clinical trials, with a major priority of uncovering knowledge directly applicable to an HIV cure. It also describes policy work supporting evidence-based HIV policies and increased funding for HIV services and research, as well as TREAT Asia’s regional work on care, treatment, prevention, research, and community-led monitoring.
The 2025 filing lists research grants to universities, research centers, and a community health organization. For example, Case Western Reserve University describes itself as a research-oriented university with strengths including health and medicine; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center describes its work as uniting research and care to prevent and eliminate cancer and infectious disease; and Fenway Health describes its mission as improving well-being through health care, education, research, and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, amfAR reported 18 grants totaling $2,458,234. The grants ranged from $10,204 to $410,149, with a median of $50,000. Listed purposes included research and TREAT Asia.
The largest listed grants included $410,149 to Case Western Reserve University for research, $344,570 to the University of Minnesota for research, $323,919 to the University of California San Francisco for research, $322,246 to the University of Miami for research, and $319,175 to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for research. Johns Hopkins University received $189,725 for TREAT Asia, and Columbia University received $56,133 for TREAT Asia.
AmfAR’s website says research proposals are evaluated through internal and external peer review. Its stated review process includes three external scientific reviewers and amfAR’s Vice President and Director of Research. The website describes Target Grants as supporting investigator-initiated research in response to specific requests for proposals, with awards of up to $480,000 over two years; applicants must hold a research or clinical doctoral degree and be affiliated with an eligible nonprofit research institution.
The Target Grants request for proposals listed for therapeutic immune reprogramming in cancer was closed for submissions. Its stated performance period was November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2028.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists T Ryan Greenwalt and Kevin McClatchy as co-chairs. Robert L Traynham II is listed as secretary. Donald Dye is listed as treasurer through March 2025, and Jeffrey Schoenfeld is listed as treasurer. Trustees listed are Amy Andelson, Glen Isaacson, Michael Lorber, Anthony Mancilla, and Aron Marquez.
The Foundation for AIDS Research is led by Kevin Frost, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2019; 13 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kevin Frost
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$480K (2019) → $544K (2025)
Andrew McInnes
Director & Publications
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$170K (2019) → $198K (2025)
Bennah Serfaty
Senior Director of Communications
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$137K (2020) → $153K (2025)
Christopher Frederick
Special Events Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$187K (2024) → $196K (2025)
Emma Kostura
Director & Philanthropy
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$142K (2025)
Cindy Rachofsky
Trustee
Vice Chairman → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phill Wilson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glen Isaacson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Lorber
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Andelson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Milstein
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Merv Silverman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vincent A. Roberti
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Mancilla
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aron Marquez
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annette Sohn
Vice President & Treat Asia
Vice President & Treat Asia → Vice President & Treat Asia Program, 2022
Vice President & Treat Asia Program → Vice President & Treat Asia, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$235K (2019) → $282K (2025)
Anthony Ancona
Vice President of Human Resources
Vice President & Human Reso → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Vice President of Human Resources, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$193K (2019) → $211K (2025)
Gregorio Millet
Vice President & Public Policy
Vice President & Public Policy → Vice President & Public Pol, 2020
Vice President & Public Pol → Vice President & Public Policy, 2021
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$186K (2019) → $326K (2025)
Sebastian Gheith
General Counsel & Assistant Secretary
Associate Counsel → Associate Counsel & Assistant Secretary, 2021
Associate Counsel & Assistant Secretary → General Counsel & Assistant Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$169K (2019) → $202K (2025)
Kyle Clifford
Vice President of Development
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$243K (2022) → $292K (2025)
Bradley Jensen Assistant
Treasurer & CFO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$377K (2025)
James Shakleford Former
Vice President of Public Information
New on the 2025 filing
$164K (2025)
Ronald Kirk Assistant Treasurer
Controller
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$191K (2025)
T. Ryan Greenwalt
Co-Chair
Trustee → Co-Chair, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald Dye
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Schoenfeld
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin McClatchy
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert L. Traynham II
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Davidson Chief
Financial & Operating Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shkendije Kaba
Assistant Treasurer & Controller
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (31)
- Former: Bradley Jensen (2019–2024) — Assistant Treasurer & CFO
- Former: Jay Ellis (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Mario Stevenson (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Rowena Johnston (2019–2024) — Former Assistant Secretary, Vice President & Research
- Former: James Shakleford Vice President (2024) — Public Information
- Former: Joseph Ferrera Director (2024) — Philanthropy
- Former: Ronald Kirk (2024) — Assistant Treasurer & Controller
- Former: Edward Donnelly (2019–2023) — Assistant Treasurer & Controller
- Former: Susan Doster (2019–2023) — Chief Technology Officer
- Former: Joseph Ferrera (2022–2023) — Director & Philanthropy
- Former: Annmarie Shannahan Vp (2023) — Public Information
- Former: Cassandra Dawes Manager Of (2023) — Special Events
- Former: Annmarie Shannahan (2019–2022) — Vice President & Public Information
- Former: David Bohnett (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Danielle Alexandra (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Billy Porter (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Arthur Lewis (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Raoul Tenanza (2022) — Creative Director
- Former: Eric Muscatell (2019–2021) — Vice President of Development · Filing note: Thru 073120
- Former: Jonathan Key (2019–2021) — Director & Philanthropy · Filing note: Thru 101320
- Former: Raymond F. Schinazi PhD (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Sue Doster (2021) — Chief Technology Officer
- Former: Aileen Getty (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Alan D. Schwartz (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Arlen H. Anderson (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Bill Roedy (2019–2020) — Chairman of the Board & Non-Voting
- Former: Edward Milstein (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Michele V. McNeill Pharmd (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Zev Braun (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jonathan S Canno (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Michael J Klingensmith (2019) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $544K, to Kevin Frost (Chief Executive Officer). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Foundation for AIDS Research
How much does The Foundation for AIDS Research give each year?
The Foundation for AIDS Research gave $2.5M across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $749K across 9 grants.
What is The Foundation for AIDS Research's typical grant size?
The Foundation for AIDS Research's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $136,569, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Foundation for AIDS Research that year got $57K on average.
Where does The Foundation for AIDS Research give grants?
The Foundation for AIDS Research's top state is Ohio, with 17% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (15%) and Florida (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (2 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does The Foundation for AIDS Research give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on The Foundation for AIDS Research's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research" (15 grants).
Who are The Foundation for AIDS Research's largest grantees?
The Foundation for AIDS Research's largest 2025 grantees include Case Western Reserve University ($410,149), University of Minnesota ($344,570) and University of California San Francisco ($323,919), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Foundation for AIDS Research?
The Foundation for AIDS Research reported $58.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $34.8M.
What does The Foundation for AIDS Research fund?
On its 2024 filing, amfAR stated that it is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Foundation for AIDS Research?
The Foundation for AIDS Research has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Foundation for AIDS Research's EIN?
The Foundation for AIDS Research's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3163817. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 7, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Foundation for AIDS Research's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Emory University primarily funds research and subcontract work for universities, hospitals, research organizations, and other organizations, across a range of academic and health-related fields. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $19.1 million, with a median of about $97,000; 41% of grant dollars went to Georgia recipients. The profile does not state whether Emory accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.9B
Grants
362
Total Given
$183.7M
American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation
Darien, IL
The Foundation funds sleep-health research, investigator career development and training, community programs, and disaster relief for sleep centers. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $10,000 to $540,000, with a median of $100,000; no geographic focus is stated. It accepts letters of intent for its Strategic Research Grant, with full applications by invitation.
Assets
$18.2M
Grants
23
Total Given
$3.7M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
American Cancer Society Inc
Atlanta, GA
The American Cancer Society funds cancer research, patient support, and advocacy, including grants to researchers, institutions, and related organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,648 to $9.6 million, with a median of $15,000; research funding supports institutions across the United States. It accepts applications for specific research programs through ProposalCentral, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
509
Total Given
$23.1M
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
Mayo Clinic’s community grants support 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing locally identified health needs and community well-being, such as access to care, mental health, and food security. Community grant amounts vary; its 2024 grants had a median of $59,957, though many much larger awards went to Mayo-affiliated organizations. Its community programs serve areas near Mayo sites, including Rochester, Florida, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic Health System communities; application information is stated for Rochester and Florida, but whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$26.7B
Grants
256
Total Given
$572.1M
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY
Columbia funds research, education and research, and capital projects, primarily through grants to universities and medical and research institutions across the United States, with the largest share going to New York recipients. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $109,000, though awards ranged from $5,350 to $15.1 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$26.0B
Grants
417
Total Given
$208.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Foundation for AIDS Research funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-foundation-for-aids-research-morg_1119c4b9a2ca4e1f8d0a51e3b095f35e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133163817_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Foundation for AIDS Research funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-foundation-for-aids-research-morg_1119c4b9a2ca4e1f8d0a51e3b095f35e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 The Foundation for AIDS Research'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.
The Foundation for AIDS Research down — hundreds of funders to go?