NAF and EJAF Create Innovative Opportunity for Private Sector Engagement in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

For the third year in a row, the National AIDS Fund collaborated with the Elton John AIDS Foundation to create an innovative celebration, bringing together corporate supporters of HIV/AIDS, celebrity talent and those working on the ground in HIV/AIDS. This collaboration represents the National AIDS Fund's work to re-think private sector engagement in HIV/AIDS, at a time when United States-based HIV/AIDS focus is decreasing. Centered around a private concert by Sir Elton John, the evening of Sunday, October 10, 2004 in Newport Beach, CA was a celebration of the 13 -year partnership between the National AIDS Fund and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, as well as a call for continued private sector support of the fight against HIV/AIDS in the United States.

In one night, the third annual "An Enduring Vision" program raised $1.2 million for HIV/AIDS prevention programs across the country, once again proving the ability of the National AIDS Fund to create and execute a cost-effective and efficient way for corporate and individual donors to get national visibility as well as local impact for their HIV/AIDS philanthropic dollars. Long-time corporate partners AT&T and Pfizer were the presenting sponsors of the evening, and other corporate supporters included Mercedes-Benz USA, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb, Wells Fargo, Advanta, Coca Cola, and Daimler Chrysler. Celebrities lending their name and support included tennis stars Andy Roddick, Anna Kournikova, Tracy Austin and Billie Jean King. Celebrities Neve Campbell and Josh Groban also attended the evening, among others.

The National AIDS Fund is proud to continue to cultivate this long-standing public-private partnership, bringing private donors and dollars to the table to support essential HIV/AIDS programs across the country. The National AIDS Fund directs 100 percent of the proceeds to 29 Community Partnerships across the United States. The proceeds are distributed in the form of Challenge Grants, with Community Partnerships raising two dollars for every single dollar granted. This creates a 200 percent return on investment and triples the reach of these funds.

For more information on this program or the National AIDS Fund, please visit www.aidsfund.org.