DIFFA Chicago’s grant making tradition has been to support programs and activities that reflect a unique or innovative approach to addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS in the Chicagoland area.
We continue to seek requests where public support and other philanthropy – including an organization’s own fund raising capacity, is not otherwise available, and where DIFFA Chicago grant funds can be appropriately positioned to expand and diversify the impact of an organization’s service program(s).
We also seek proposals that include appropriate and strategic collaboration among agencies.
The DIFFA Chicago granting process selects agencies providing the best care possible in Chicago, those who put dollars where they have the most impact to help the men, women, and children living with and/or impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Eligible Programs:
Community-based 501(c)(3) organizations providing direct service, preventive education, and outreach to people who are HIV positive, living with AIDS or at-risk of infection.
Grant Cycle:
DIFFA Chicago issues grants annually. In some cases, a special grant may be awarded during the year to meet specific funder, community or emergency needs.
Grants fall under two categories:
Chapter Grants and Foundation Grants. In both instances, DIFFA Chicago does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Invitations are sent out in the fall of each year to apply.
After review, grants are then approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors at their January Board meeting. Grants are presented at The Excellence In Care Awards in February, and shared with the world through a robust social media campaign.
Grant Process
The review and scoring of agency grant applications is a very detailed and hands-on process. The DIFFA Chicago Board is committed to ensuring that donated funds are applied and used to their fullest extent.
Invitations for Applications from community organizations go out in the Fall. The Ask:
How the money would be used
Premise of program
Financial documents
Board Review of Applications
Grant Review Teams are established from members of the board.
Each team is given a set number of applications to review in depth, and sets up one-on-one interviews with applicant organizations.
In-person, on-site interviews are held between Grant Review Team and the Applicant Organization. Virtual interviews have been used when health concerns dictate.
Review of facilities, program, provided documentation.
Based upon interviews and review of provided documentation, rankings are established by each Grant Review Team against consistent and universal criteria, for each organization.
Rankings are provided to the DIFFA Chicago Executive Committee for review.
Recommendations are made to the Board
Grant Review Teams present their individual findings to the full Board.
The Board debates and establishes recommendations for grant award and dollar amounts.
The Board votes; makes final decisions.
Official announcement of Grantee Organizations is made at the Excellence in Care Awards in February of each year.
Announcements of awards, are supported through social media visibility campaign.
Our Commitment to Finding a Cure:
Since 1990, THE DIFFA Chicago Fellowship has supported a 2nd year HIV/AIDS Research and Clinical Studies Fellow at the Northwestern Medicine Center for Infectious Diseases; actively supporting the pursuit of a cure.
25 DIFFA/Chicago Fellows now
- 1991
Peter F. Bornstein, MD, MBA - 1992
Peter F. Bornstein, MD, MBA - 1993
Peter Bornstein, MD, MBA - 1995
Concepta Merry, MSc, PhD - 1996
Kristin Englund, MD - 1997
Lee Cheng Chuan, MBBS - 1998
Trevor Slom, MD - 2000
Carlos Zambrano, MD - 2001
John Baraboutis, MD - 2002
Padmam Sriram, MD - 2003
Adam Treitman, MD - 2004
Edwin Yu, MD - 2005
Claudia Hawkins, MD, MPH - 2006
Angel Leake, MD, MPH - 2007
Michael Angarone, DO - 2008
Susan Pacheco, MD - 2009
Patrick Ryscavage, MD - 2010
Niki Alami, MD - 2011
Ramona Bhatia, MD, MS - 2012
Guajira Thomas, MD, MSCI - 2013
Ellie Sukerman, MD, MSCI - 2014
Amesika Nyaku, MD, MSCI - 2015
Sean Kelly, MD - 2016
Karen Krueger, MD - 2017
Janna Williams, MD - 2018
Mary Clare Masters, MD - 2019
Lindsey Morrison, MD - 2020
Kendall Kling, MD
Since 1984, proceeds from such events have enabled the various regional DIFFA chapters to grant over $50 million to AIDS service and education organizations nationwide.
DIFFA Chicago Excellence in Care 2022 Grant Recipients:
University of Chicago – Care2Prevent
Amita Health Housing & Health Alliance
Center on Halsted
Chicago House
Children’s Place
Heartland Alliance Health
Heartland Alliance Human Care Services
Legal Council for Health Justice
Mother & Child Alliance
Northwestern Medicine Fellowship
Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN)
Youth Outlook
