Grants That Make a Difference

Philanthropist:
Ms. Lisa Eltinge

Grant Amount:
$50,000

Description:
NYAC is an alliance of community-based service providers and their supporters working for increased funding and fair policies for people living with HIV/AIDS in New York State. NYAC was founded in 1988 to overcome the overwhelming information and communication gaps that exist between community-based organizations and policy makers in New York State. Today, NYAC has approximately 200 members and is committed to advancing a community-based, frontline response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Philanthropist Lisa Eltinge has pledged to give $50,000 over two years to the New York AIDS Coalition (NYAC) to fund a technical assistance initiative to strengthen the organization. The donation was presented as a challenge to the New York and San Francisco communities to be matched one-to-one by the end of the year.

The technical assistance initiative will allow NYAC to enhance its fundraising, build closer relationships with its members and individual supporters, and develop a policy and advocacy presence at the national level.

NYAC will work with fundraising and management consultants Laurence A. Pagnoni & Associates (LAPA) to strengthen its funding base by increasing its financial support from and its partnership with its member organizations. NYAC is also working with LAPA to increase its funding from foundations and corporations, and to build its base of individual donors. With increased financial support, NYAC will be able to enhance its local and state policy work to ensure that New York decision-makers stay focused on the needs of people living with AIDS and the community-based organizations that serve them. NYAC also plans to expand its national-level work in order to prepare for the reauthorization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, the primary source of federal funding for HIV/AIDS services.

Press Release, "New York Aids Coalition Receives $50,000 Gift" - 10/16/03