amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research

Founded in September 1985 by actress Elizabeth Taylor and virologist Dr. Robert Gallo, amfAR emerged during a period when the HIV crisis was shrouded in fear and government funding remained scarce. The organization began as The American Foundation for AIDS Research with a singular goal: to fill the void left by the lack of scientific progress and public awareness. It became one of the first entities to aggressively fund research into a disease that had no known cure or treatment, operating as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation based in New York City.

Today, amfAR functions as an independent grant-making body that partners with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and research entities worldwide. Its strategy combines high-risk, high-reward biomedical research with advocacy efforts designed to protect vulnerable communities and ensure access to prevention and treatment. While its headquarters remain in the United States, the foundation maintains significant operations across Europe and Africa to address the specific needs of populations heavily impacted by the epidemic.

The organization has raised nearly $950 million since its inception, investing hundreds of millions directly into HIV research. This financial commitment has supported the development of antiretroviral therapies that transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition. Recent initiatives focus on finding a functional cure through latency-reversing agents and gene editing technologies, reflecting a shift toward more ambitious scientific targets in the last decade. [edit]

amfAR advances scientific discovery to improve global health with a dedicated commitment to ending the HIV epidemic. The organization funds high-risk biomedical research aimed at curing HIV while advocating for policies that safeguard vulnerable communities and expand access to care. [edit]

The organization launched in September 1985 against a backdrop of limited public understanding and minimal federal investment in HIV research. Elizabeth Taylor and Dr. Robert Gallo established the foundation to address this critical gap, quickly becoming a primary source of funding for scientists working on the virus. During the 1980s and 1990s, amfAR played a pivotal role in raising awareness and supporting the development of antiretroviral therapies that would eventually change the trajectory of the epidemic.

By the 2000s, the foundation expanded its scope to include HIV prevention strategies and began exploring the concept of a functional cure. The 2010s marked a strategic shift toward high-stakes research, including the investigation of latency-reversing agents and gene editing technologies. In late 2025, the organization awarded new HIV cure-focused research grants totaling $2.4 million, continuing its focus on breakthrough solutions.

Recent years have seen the organization navigate fluctuating funding levels due to economic downturns and changing political priorities. Despite these challenges, amfAR maintained its focus on curing HIV, announcing new grants in early 2026 and hosting high-profile events to sustain momentum. The organization also emphasizes storytelling to share narratives of those living with and fighting HIV, aiming to save lives through education and awareness. [edit]