What AIDS Care Ocean State does

AIDS Care Ocean State (ACOS) is a Rhode Island-based private nonprofit founded in 1987 (originally as FACTS) that operates as the largest and most comprehensive provider of HIV/AIDS services in the state. The organization provides a fully integrated suite of free services to individuals and families infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, including case management, clinical services, subsidized housing (across three facilities: Sunrise House, New Transitions, and CoExist), a Prevention Center offering free anonymous HIV/HCV testing, needle exchange, street outreach, and harm-reduction vending machines, mental health support, a food pantry, support groups, a Speakers Bureau, and educational programming through a Knowledge Center. ACOS serves over 500 individuals and families annually and provides subsidized housing to more than 90% of HIV-positive people in Rhode Island. Rhode Island is the third U.S. state or territory to offer harm-reduction vending machines through ACOS, dispensing condoms, safe sex kits, wound kits, hygiene products, and Narcan.

ACOS operates as a community-based nonprofit with no proprietary technology products and no digital/API platform; its core technology stack consists of a Harness Giving donation platform, Constant Contact email marketing, and a website maintained by Envision Technology Advisors. Its business model relies on a blended revenue mix: federal funding through the Ryan White Act (described as declining year over year), individual donations including a monthly 'Change Round-Ups' recurring giving program, corporate sponsorships, and a portfolio of signature fundraising events led by Drag Queen Bingo (a 28-season monthly event at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI, generating approximately $75,000 annually post-pandemic vs. ~$125,000 pre-pandemic), an annual Mardi Gras Gala (~$175 per ticket), and the annual Paint the Town RED restaurant dining fundraiser. All direct services are free to clients.

ACOS operates three Providence, RI locations — an administrative office at 18 Parkis Ave., the BroadMed service delivery hub at 557 Broad Street (housing case management, mental health, prevention, housing, and food pantry), and the Prevention Center — and concentrates on the Rhode Island market exclusively. The organization employs 11–50 staff, is led by Director of Development & Public Relations Stephen Hogan Jr. (joined December 2021), and is governed by a Board of Directors. Marketing is community-led via earned media (Providence Monthly, Cranston Herald, Brown Daily Herald), organic social (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube), newsletter, and event-driven outreach, with major media partners including iHeart Media, NBC Studio 10, Eat Drink RI, and Rhode Island Monthly. ACOS has been voted 'Top Rhode Island Non-Profit' at the Options Awards for three consecutive years (2022–2024), with Hogan also recognized as 'Top Local Activist' in 2023.

Name

AIDS Care Ocean State

Legal name

AIDS Care Ocean State

Website

https://aidscareos.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AIDS Care Ocean State is a Rhode Island-based nonprofit founded in 1987 providing free HIV/AIDS case management, clinical care, subsidized housing, prevention education, and harm reduction services to over 500 individuals and families annually. It is the largest and most comprehensive HIV/AIDS service provider in Rhode Island.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HIV/AIDS Social Services and Support

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Patient Advocacy, Navigation & Access to Care (BPAGACAH)

Keywords

• HIV/AIDS services
• Harm reduction programs
• Subsidized housing assistance
• HIV testing and prevention
• Case management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Fundraising Events (Drag Bingo): Drag Queen Bingo is ACOS's largest annual fundraiser, generating approximately $75,000 per year. Events are held monthly from September through June at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI. Each event draws hundreds of attendees at $25 per bingo packet, plus table sponsorship and Full Circle RSVP fees of $50 per reserved table of 10. Pre-pandemic, this event generated approximately $125,000 annually.
2. Mardi Gras Gala: Annual black-tie-style fundraising gala held at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. Ticket prices around $175 per person for the 2024 event. The gala includes live entertainment, auctions, and awards. This is one of ACOS's major annual fundraising events.
3. Paint the Town RED: Annual one-night dining event where participating restaurants donate a portion of their sales to ACOS. Consumers are encouraged to dine at participating establishments on a designated evening, with raffle entries for participants. Coordinated with media partners iHeart Media, Eat Drink RI, and NBC Studio 10.
4. Individual Donations and Grants: ACOS relies on individual donations, monthly giving programs (Change Round-Ups), and corporate sponsorships. The organization also receives federal funding through the Ryan White Act, which has been declining year over year. Additional revenue streams include 401Gives campaign participation.
5. Sponsorship Revenue: Drag Bingo events feature tiered sponsorship opportunities including Master Season Sponsors, Premier Circle Season Sponsors, and Game Board Season Sponsors. Sponsors include Mister Sister Erotica, Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center, Jordan's Jungle, Thundermist Health Center, Sir Thomas F. Matt Trust, and others who pay for visibility at monthly events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AIDS Care Ocean State is a community-based nonprofit that delivers a comprehensive suite of HIV/AIDS services free of charge to clients in Rhode Island. Core offerings include case management, clinical services, subsidized housing through three facilities (Sunrise House, New Transitions, CoExist), a Prevention Center offering free anonymous HIV/HCV testing, needle exchange, street outreach, and safe sex kits, plus the Speakers Bureau for community education and a food pantry. All services are supported by federal Ryan White Act funding, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events such as Drag Queen Bingo, Mardi Gras Gala, and Paint the Town RED.

Product overview

AIDS Care Ocean State (ACOS) is a nonprofit social services organization offering a comprehensive suite of HIV/AIDS-related programs and services. The organization operates as a single integrated service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core services include case management, clinical/medical care, housing assistance (with three facilities: Sunrise House, New Transitions, and CoExist), prevention services (street outreach, needle exchange, HIV/Hep C testing), and education/awareness programs. The organization supports approximately 500 individuals and families infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. ACOS also operates significant fundraising programs including monthly Drag Bingo events (the largest annual fundraiser), the Mardi Gras Gala, Paint the Town RED restaurant fundraising event, holiday toy drives, and World AIDS Day commemorations. Founded in 1987 as FACTS, ACOS is Rhode Island's largest and most comprehensive HIV/AIDS service provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Case Management Comprehensive case management services providing coordinated care, referrals, and support for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island.
• Clinical Services Medical and nursing care services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, delivered free of charge to clients.
• Housing Assistance Program Subsidized housing program serving over 90% of HIV-positive people in Rhode Island through Sunrise House, New Transitions, and CoExist facilities.
• Prevention Center HIV and Hepatitis C prevention services including free anonymous HIV/Hep C testing, street outreach, needle exchange, safe sex kits, and educational resources.
• Harm-Reduction Vending Machines Statewide vending machine program distributing condoms, safe sex kits, wound kits, hygiene products, and Narcan. Rhode Island is the third U.S. state or territory to provide such machines.
• Knowledge Center and HIV Education Educational resources including HIV, AIDS, and viral hepatitis information, statistics, prevention guidance, dictionaries, and a 'Protect Yourself' curriculum.
• Speakers Bureau Trained speakers delivering community presentations on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
• Support Groups Peer support groups for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.
• Food Pantry Food assistance program providing groceries, holiday meal baskets, and Thanksgiving meals to ACOS clients and their families.
• Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser Monthly drag-themed bingo fundraising events held September–June at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI; ACOS's largest annual fundraiser now in its 28th season, generating approximately $75,000/year post-pandemic (~$125,000 pre-pandemic).
• Mardi Gras Gala Annual black-tie fundraising gala at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet featuring live entertainment, auctions, and awards; 2024 tickets priced at $175 per person.
• Paint the Town RED Annual dining fundraiser where participating Rhode Island restaurants donate a portion of sales to ACOS on a designated evening, promoted through iHeart Media, Eat Drink RI, NBC Studio 10, and Rhode Island Monthly.
• Toy Drives and Adopt-a-Family Holiday toy drives and Adopt-a-Family programs providing gifts for approximately 150+ children of ACOS clients during the holiday season, including the BankRI Holiday Giving Tree partnership.
• World AIDS Day Events Annual commemorative events including community block parties with free HIV/HCV testing, educational information, and safe sex supplies distribution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Subsidized housing provided to over 90% of HIV-positive people in Rhode Island
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Rhodes on the PawtuxetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI serves as the primary venue for ACOS's monthly Drag Queen Bingo events (Season #28, September 2025 – June 2026) and the annual Mardi Gras Gala. The venue is central to ACOS's largest annual fundraiser, with the partnership enabling direct community engagement through events. ACOS moved Drag Bingo to Rhodes from Riviera Bingo Palace in 2022.
• iHeart MediamajorGTM or Marketing PartneriHeart Media is a media partner for ACOS's Paint the Town RED annual fundraising event, providing promotional support across its radio network to drive awareness and participation in the event.
• Eat Drink RImajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEat Drink RI is a media partner for the Paint the Town RED event, promoting the dining-out fundraiser and helping recruit participating restaurants.
• NBC Studio 10majorGTM or Marketing PartnerNBC Studio 10 serves as a media partner for Paint the Town RED 2025 and 2026, providing promotional coverage to drive participation in the event.
• Mister Sister EroticacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMister Sister Erotica has served as the Master Season Sponsor for multiple seasons of Drag Bingo (#25–#28). As a premier sponsor, the business receives prominent branding at monthly events and supports ACOS's largest fundraiser.
• Jordan's JunglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJordan's Jungle is a Premier Circle Season Sponsor for Drag Bingo, supporting ACOS's largest annual fundraising event.
• Thundermist Health CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThundermist Health Center has been a season sponsor for Drag Bingo and is an ally in the healthcare community supporting ACOS's mission.
• Sir Thomas F. Matt TrustcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Sir Thomas F. Matt Trust (Thomas F. Matt, Atlantic States LeatherSIR) has been a persistent season sponsor across multiple Drag Bingo seasons, supporting ACOS's fundraising efforts.
• Rhode Island MonthlymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRhode Island Monthly partnered with ACOS for Paint the Town RED and the Mardi Gras Gala, providing editorial and promotional support for events.
• Open Door HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen Door Health is Rhode Island's only LGBTQ+-dedicated primary care and sexual health clinic. ACOS partners with Open Door Health for HIV prevention services, referrals, and community events. The organizations work together on World AIDS Day events and HIV awareness initiatives.
• Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIDOH is a Game Board Season Sponsor for Drag Bingo and is a key government partner. ACOS receives federal funding through the Ryan White Act administered via RIDOH and collaborates on HIV prevention campaigns, testing initiatives, and harm-reduction programs.
• Showtime Photo BoothminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShowtime Photo Booth provides photo booth services for ACOS events, creating a branded photo experience at galas and other fundraising events since 2013.
• Envision Technology AdvisorsminorOthersEnvision Technology Advisors designed and maintains the ACOS website (aidscareos.org), providing digital infrastructure for the organization's online presence, donations, and event information.
• What Cheer Flower FarmminorOthersWhat Cheer Flower Farm, a nonprofit urban flower farm in Providence's Olneyville Square, donated approximately 600 bouquets to ACOS clients as part of its Valentine's Day Bouquet-a-thon. This is the third such donation event (2020, 2023).
• Bank Rhode Island (BankRI)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerBankRI runs its 25th annual Holiday Giving Tree program benefiting ACOS and other nonprofits, collecting toys for children in need served by ACOS. This is a multi-year partnership.
• Providence EaglemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Providence Eagle (124 Snow Street, Providence) is a key community partner that hosts Bear Week Kick-Off Parties (Fire Drill) and the annual Teddy Bear Ball Toy Drive benefiting ACOS. The venue has been a consistent supporter of ACOS fundraising events.
• MirabarmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMirabar (15 Elbow Street, Providence) is a repeat host venue for ACOS Drag Bingo events, holiday toy drives, and community events. The bar has been a longtime supporter and sponsor of ACOS fundraising efforts.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fenway Health: Boston-based comprehensive LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS care provider offering case management, clinical services, and prevention education for a comparable patient population.
• AIDS Project Rhode Island: Rhode Island's other HIV/AIDS service nonprofit, providing prevention, testing, case management, and education. Directly comparable given overlapping geography and mission.
• Open Door Health: Rhode Island's only LGBTQ+-dedicated primary care and sexual health clinic; a named ACOS partner delivering HIV prevention services and referrals to overlapping clients.
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Long-standing HIV/AIDS service nonprofit offering housing, case management, prevention, and harm reduction; directly analogous in mission depth and regional scope.
• Cascade AIDS Project: Pacific Northwest HIV/AIDS nonprofit providing housing, case management, and prevention services to a comparable client mix of LGBTQ+ and at-risk populations.
• Whitman-Walker Health: Washington, D.C. provider of integrated HIV/AIDS medical care, prevention, and supportive services serving a comparable LGBTQ+ and at-risk patient population.
• AIDS Foundation of Chicago: Midwest HIV/AIDS service and advocacy organization offering housing, case management, and prevention programs to urban populations; directly comparable scale and mission.
• AIDS Action Committee (Massachusetts): Massachusetts-based HIV/AIDS service nonprofit providing prevention, education, case management, and harm reduction across a similar New England population.

Broad incumbents

• GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis): Pioneering U.S. HIV/AIDS organization founded in 1981; broader national scope than ACOS with overlapping prevention, case management, and housing programs.
• AIDS United: National HIV/AIDS policy and grantmaking intermediary; comparable in mission but operates at a national advocacy layer rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=AIDS+Care+Ocean+State
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/AIDS-Care-Ocean-State/60276666530
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aids-care-os/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/aidscareos/?hl=en
• Xx.com/AIDSCAREOS

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AIDS Care Ocean State