DIFFA grants $225,000 to 17 organizations combating HIV/AIDS nationwide
New York, NY (November 20, 2015) – DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting
AIDS (DIFFA) recognized their 2015 grantees and supporters at the third annual Thanks For Giving cocktail party. Hosted at the Herman Miller Showroom in midtown, the event gathered 150 community leaders and designers to celebrate the 17 grantees. DIFFA raises funds and awareness to support HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. This year, DIFFA National awarded $225,000 to organizations in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and Georgia.

“This year’s DIFFA National grant recipients represent one of the largest and most diverse groups we’ve had in several years and demonstrates a renewed commitment from our supporters to help us invest in the efforts of these organizations,” said DIFFA Executive Director Johanna Osburn.

The 17 grantees represent organizations providing direct HIV/AIDS care services to homeless individuals, the LGBT community, youth ages 13-24, people of color, elders and incarcerated populations. The organizations offer a range of services to fight stigma, work on prevention and education, and offer nutrition, counseling and job preparedness services.

“We are so thankful for DIFFA’s support of our mission. This grant will help fund our outreach to homeless LGBT youth in central Brooklyn who have been rejected by their families. With DIFFA’s help, we can continue providing them with a holistic range of services to get them back on their feet and on the right track,” said Andrew Greene of Housing Works.

The third annual Thanks For Giving cocktail party brought together DIFFA’s network of supporters including designers, architects, manufacturers and community leaders who are making a significant impact in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Also recognized were DIFFA’s board of directors and event sponsors including Herman Miller, EGE, Object Agency, New York Design Center and Interior Design.

“As DIFFA’s chair, it is truly an honor to see the hard work and creativity of all our supporters pay off in such a big way! We are extremely excited to introduce DIFFA National’s grant recipients for 2015. These organizations work tirelessly to fight HIV and help individuals living with the disease. Thank you for making a DIFFArence!” said Cindy Allen, DIFFA Board Chair and Editor in Chief of Interior Design magazine.

“This year we had an outpouring of creativity and support at each of our fundraising events, which helped raise much of the money we needed to provide grants. In 2015 our chapters and partners along with DIFFA National granted over $800,000 nationally,” Osburn stated. “Until we have a cure, we’re going to continue to do this work and give back to the organizations providing services to people who need it most.”

DIFFA National’s 2015 Grantees:

AIDS Leadership Foothills-area Alliance (ALFA)
Ali Forney Center
The Alpha Workshops Bailey House
BOOM!Health
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
The Correctional Association of New York
GMHC
God’s Love We Deliver
HEAT Program at SUNY Downstate
HMI (Hetrick-Martin Institute) Housing Works
Jerusalem House
Just Been Tested Foundation
Planned Parenthood of New York City
SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders)
Washington Heights CORNER Project

For more information about DIFFA and its 2015 grantees visit diffa.org

About DIFFA

DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises awareness and grants funds to organizations that fight HIV/AIDS by providing treatment and direct care services for people living with or impacted by the disease, offering preventative education programs targeted to populations at rick of infection, or supporting public policy initiatives. DIFFA is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the United States, mobilizing the immense resources and creativity of the design community. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has emerged from a grassroots organization into a national foundation based in New York City with chapters and community partners across the country that, working together, have provided more than $41 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. www.diffa.org.

Media Contacts: Shanea Phillips sphillips@diffa.org
6463804195

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