Mission
Established in the fall of 2003, AIDS Relief Fund for China (ARFC) provides small grants to grassroots AIDS service and education organizations in China.
Mission
AIDS Relief Fund for China is a public charitable organization dedicated to supporting broad-based HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment efforts in China. Through fundraising and effective grant making, we support individuals and organizations in China in fighting HIV/AIDS. We stand in solidarity with global efforts to end HIV stigma and to empower people and communities living with HIV.
Inception
2001 was a goundbreaking year in China's history of AIDS. The "China Plan of Action to Contain, Prevent and Control HIV/AIDS (2001-2005)" was published in June 2001, ending the country's nearly 16 years of silence about the epidemic. On World AIDS Day 2003, Wen Jiabao became the first Chinese premier to shake hands with an HIV-positive person. The handshake, broadcast nation-wide, was seen to have marked a fundamental shift in the central government's approach to HIV/AIDS. In December 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice Premier Wu Yi announced the "Four Frees and One Care Policy," aiming to offer comprehensive and free HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment to everyone.
The newly open attitude about the AIDS issues in China inspired many concerned individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, those familiar with the social and political reality of China also realized that a top down governmental policy often has difficulties meeting the immediate needs of afflicted individuals and families. The Chinese public lacks the basic knowledge of AIDS; stigma and discrimination against the infected are rampant. In response to this void, a group of Bay area individuals involved in the effort of HIV prevention, research and treatment began discussing ways to support grassroots efforts in China.
This discussion led to the birth of The AIDS Relief Fund for China in the fall of 2003. We mobilize financial support for grassroots Chinese NGOs that work in the areas of HIV prevention, treatment, advocacy and fighting stigma. Our primary intent is to gather funds in the U.S. and, through effective grantmaking, support and foster groups and individual AIDS activists in China. We identify and support promising efforts in China, while raising awareness among individuals and communities in the U.S. of the "opportunity to act."
In recent years, larger global AIDS funding initiatives have begun to support AIDS work in China. Many funding gaps, however, remain at the ground level as innovative ideas and small scale projects often fall outside of institutional funding guidelines. AIDS Relief Fund for China targets these endeavors. We seek them out by stationing trusted advisors in China and paying frequent field visits. Since its inception in the fall of 2003, ARFC has been contributing to China's evolving landscape of innovative AIDS work by:
- Fostering leaders with innovative approaches to social change
- Assisting new grassroots organizations with start-up needs
- Promoting creative pilot projects
- Leveraging larger grants and attracting future funding support
- Strengthening relationships among grassroots leaders engaged in HIV/AIDS work
Philosophy: beyond grants
Effective grant-making hinges on reaching local activist communities. Our board members, field director and China-based advisors visit local communities, at their own expense, to obtain up-to-date information. A broad knowledge of HIV/AIDS advocacy work in China enables us to direct aid where it is most needed, and to the most effective projects.
Our work with young grassroots organizations includes nurturing their growth to enhance and broaden their impact. In addition to providing grants, we also:
- Highlight the achievements of emerging grassroots leaders
- Promote and publicize best practices
- Brainstorm and strategize with grassroots organizations for new approaches
- Share information and new perspectives with local activists
- Communicate with U.S.-based and international funders
- Create new alliances with other foundations and grant-makers