What amfAR does

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization founded in 1985 in New York City and headquartered at 120 Wall Street. The organization is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative biomedical research, policy advocacy, and international treatment programs. It serves people affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide, the scientific research community pursuing HIV cure research, and policymakers requiring data-driven evidence for HIV/AIDS response.

amfAR's core portfolio comprises research grants and fellowships (including the Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Biomedical Research, ARCHE cure-focused consortium, and the $20 million amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research at UCSF), the TREAT Asia network spanning 21 adult and 18 pediatric sites across 12 Asia-Pacific countries, a public policy office maintaining free HIV databases, and the newly formed amfAR Research Council (aRC) guiding strategy across HIV, virology, immunology, and AI-enabled science. In April 2026 amfAR launched a $2 million AI-enabled HIV Immune Atlas Study to compile single-cell level immune data, and in 2026 it expanded into cancer immunology targeted grants, reflecting a deliberate broadening of its research scope. The organization has awarded more than 3,900 grants to scientists and supported 192 researchers across 15 countries in 2025.

amfAR generates all revenue through charitable contributions rather than commercial transactions. Revenue streams include individual donations, corporate event partnerships (luxury, automotive, media, and finance brands), six annual international benefit galas (Cannes, Venezia, London, Dallas, Palm Beach, Las Vegas), planned giving/legacy circle vehicles, workplace giving through payroll deduction programs, and donor-advised funds. The 2026 Cannes Gala alone raised $20 million, and lifetime cumulative fundraising since 1985 totals nearly $950 million. The organization operates with 51-100 employees and is governed by a Board of Trustees led by Co-Chairs T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy, with CEO Kyle Clifford leading the executive team as of late 2025.

Name

amfAR

Legal name

The Foundation for AIDS Research

Website

https://amfar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

amfAR is a nonprofit research foundation founded in 1985 that funds innovative HIV/AIDS cure research, awards biomedical fellowships, operates the TREAT Asia clinical network, and runs international benefit galas, serving affected communities, scientists, and policymakers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HIV/AIDS research foundation

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

HIV/AIDS Medicine (HLAKAGAB), Disease-Specific Global Initiatives (HIV/TB/Malaria/NTDs) (HLAJAOAE), Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM)

Keywords

• AIDS research grants
• Biomedical research funding
• HIV policy advocacy
• Global treatment networks
• Charitable fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting AIDS research, including monthly giving programs and tribute gifts in honor or memory of loved ones.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship relationships with corporations providing financial support in exchange for brand visibility at events, logo inclusion, and cause-related marketing collaborations.
3. Benefit Galas: Major fundraising events including amfAR Gala Cannes, Venezia, London, Dallas, Palm Beach, and Las Vegas, featuring celebrity performances, luxury auctions, and corporate sponsorships. The 2026 Cannes Gala raised $20 million.
4. Planned Giving / Legacy Circle: Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, beneficiary designations, and other estate planning vehicles that provide long-term sustainable funding.
5. Workplace Giving: Payroll deduction programs through Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), United Way write-in designations, and corporate employee giving campaigns.
6. Donor-Advised Funds: Tax-advantaged charitable giving accounts through which donors recommend grants to amfAR.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) is a nonprofit research foundation that funds innovative HIV/AIDS cure research through biomedical research grants and fellowships, operates the TREAT Asia treatment and research network across Asia-Pacific, conducts public policy advocacy on HIV/AIDS issues, and awards targeted grants in cancer immunology and cure science to accelerate the end of the global AIDS epidemic.

Product overview

amfAR is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. The organization operates as a unified research funding entity with multiple interconnected programs: its core research division supports HIV cure-focused grants and fellowships (including Mathilde Krim Fellowships, Target Grants, and ARCHE consortium); the TREAT Asia program provides a regional network for HIV treatment across Asia-Pacific; and its Public Policy Office conducts advocacy and maintains HIV databases. The organization produces publications, impact reports, and educational resources while hosting major fundraising galas worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• amfAR Research Grants
• Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Biomedical Research
• TREAT Asia
• amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research Dedicated research institute focused on HIV cure science, supporting interdisciplinary teams working on cure-focused investigations including the HIV Immune Atlas Study.
• Cancer Immunology and HIV Research Grants (Target Grants) Targeted research grants funding investigations at the intersection of cancer immunology and HIV, supporting innovative approaches to understanding HIV-related cancers and immune dysfunction.
• amfAR Research Council (aRC) Research Council engaging philanthropic supporters as research ambassadors, providing deeper engagement with amfAR's scientific portfolio and research priorities.
• HIV Immune Atlas Study Multi-year research initiative using AI-driven single-cell analysis to map immune responses in people living with HIV, advancing understanding of viral reservoirs and cure strategies.
• amfAR HIV Databases Public research database resource providing HIV sequence, clinical, and treatment data to the global scientific community, supporting open access to HIV research information.
• amfAR Policy and Advocacy Public policy program advocating for evidence-based HIV/AIDS policies at federal, state, and international levels, including appropriations for NIH and the Ryan White Program, syringe exchange funding, and global AIDS programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 individuals cured of HIV through stem cell transplantation (including Berlin patient, London patient, and others)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• amfAR Research Council (aRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Advisory group formed in March 2026 to guide strategic direction of amfAR's future research funding across HIV, virology, immunology, and AI-enabled science. Led by Dr. Lishomwa Ndhlovu with two Nobel laureates as honorary members.
• TREAT Asia Network InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001TREAT Asia is a collaborative network of clinics, hospitals, research institutions, and civil society organizations across Asia-Pacific working to ensure safe and effective HIV treatment delivery. The network encompasses 21 adult and 18 pediatric sites in 12 countries.
• Red Sea International Film FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRed Sea International Film Festival partners with amfAR for benefit events supporting HIV/AIDS research fundraising.
• ChopardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury jewelry brand Chopard donates pieces for amfAR gala auctions, including diamond earrings that sold for 600,000 euros at the 2026 Cannes Gala.
• TikTokcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTikTok collaborates with amfAR for event partnerships and digital engagement supporting the mission to end AIDS.
• Sotheby'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSotheby's partners with amfAR for art auctions at benefit events, selling artwork including Andy Warhol prints for millions of euros.
• Aston MartinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAston Martin provides sponsorship support for amfAR events as part of corporate partnership program.
• CadillacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCadillac sponsors amfAR events as part of automotive brand's corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Christie'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChristie's auction house partners with amfAR for art sales benefiting AIDS research, including From the Studio sales series.
• Delta Air LinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta Air Lines supports amfAR as corporate partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
• DisneyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisney partners with amfAR as corporate sponsor supporting AIDS research initiatives.
• ParamountcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerParamount Global partners with amfAR and was honored at the 2022 Los Angeles Gala, demonstrating media industry's support for AIDS research.
• Harry WinstonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury jewelry brand Harry Winston supports amfAR as corporate partner providing auction items.
• GraffminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGraff jewelers partners with amfAR for high-end auction donations.
• Van Cleef & ArpelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVan Cleef & Arpels supports amfAR as luxury goods corporate partner.
• Tommy HilfigerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTommy Hilfiger brand supports amfAR through fashion week events and corporate partnerships.
• HBO/Warner MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHBO and Warner Media partner with amfAR for event support and awareness campaigns.
• Charlotte TilburyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharlotte Tilbury beauty brand partners with amfAR for event sponsorship.
• David YurmanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDavid Yurman jewelers support amfAR as corporate event partner.
• World Gold CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorld Gold Council partners with amfAR supporting gold industry AIDS initiatives.
• JelenewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJelenew partners with amfAR as event sponsor.
• RVLVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRVLV supports amfAR as corporate event partner.
• FIJI WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFIJI Water provides sponsorship support for amfAR events.
• RHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRH (Restoration Hardware) supports amfAR as corporate partner.
• Rumor RoseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRumor Rose partners with amfAR as corporate supporter.
• PEPFARcoreStrategic or Co-development PartneramfAR advocates for and analyzes PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), the major U.S. government global HIV/AIDS program, conducting policy research on its effectiveness and impact on treatment access.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AVAC (AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition): Global nonprofit focused on HIV prevention research advocacy and product development partnerships. Directly comparable to amfAR's ARCHE and HIV cure research agenda, with overlapping donor base and policy advocacy function.
• Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation: HIV/AIDS-focused U.S. nonprofit that funds pediatric research and runs global treatment and prevention programs. Closest comparable to amfAR in mission (HIV cure/treatment research + international program delivery) and revenue model (foundation grants, corporate partnerships, individual donations).
• Treatment Action Group: HIV/AIDS research and policy advocacy nonprofit that funds and pushes for accelerated cure and treatment science. Comparable in scale and HIV cure research focus, though TAG is more advocacy-heavy than amfAR's grantmaking model.
• Clinton Health Access Initiative: Global health nonprofit operating HIV treatment access programs across low- and middle-income countries. Comparable in mission overlap with TREAT Asia and similar HIV-program delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Wellcome Trust: Large U.K.-based global health and biomedical research foundation with active HIV and infectious disease portfolios. Comparable as a high-end research funder, but operates at materially larger scale with broader scientific remit.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The largest global health philanthropy, with major HIV cure, prevention, and treatment programs. Operates in the same HIV research funder space as amfAR but at vastly greater scale and with a broader global health portfolio.
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Major biomedical research organization funding investigator-led science including HIV and immunology. Comparable in supporting early-career and high-risk biomedical researchers (analogous to amfAR's Krim Fellowships) but at much larger scale.
• The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Multilateral financing mechanism funding HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria programs globally. Directly comparable in HIV mission and policy advocacy overlap with amfAR, though operates as a public-sector-backed fund rather than a private foundation.

Regional players

• Frontline AIDS: U.K.-based international NGO supporting HIV advocacy and community organizations globally, with strong presence in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Comparable in HIV advocacy focus and international program model, but primarily anchored in U.K. funding and partnerships.

Emerging players

• (RED): Bono-founded HIV fundraising entity that channels corporate product partnership proceeds to Global Fund and other HIV programs. Comparable in the corporate-partnership-driven HIV fundraising model but focused on consumer product tie-ins rather than direct research grants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/amfar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@amfAR
• Facebookfacebook.com/amfAR-The-Foundation-for-AIDS-Rese
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amfar-the-foundation-for-aids-research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about amfAR