How We Fund

Important Note (December 29, 2011): It has just come to our attention that a person or group of people is falsely claiming to represent the Stephen Lewis Foundation and has issued a call for proposals in East Africa. Please be advised that this call did not originate from the Stephen Lewis Foundation and we are in no way affiliated with the individual(s) who have issued the call.

We have referred the matter to our lawyers and we want to immediately inform any African organization that may have seen the call that it is false. The SLF has never issued a call for proposals nor do we receive proposals via a third-party.

We deeply regret that this has happened as we know how much time and effort goes into putting together a proposal. We are taking urgent action to ensure that this matter is resolved as soon as possible. If you have received any suspicious correspondence claiming to be from the Stephen Lewis Foundation, please let us know at proposals@stephenlewisfoundation.org.

For the Stephen Lewis Foundation, it’s not only the substance that matters, it’s the method. It’s not only what we fund – it’s how we fund.

Our philosophy is firmly rooted in the notion that if anyone is going to turn the tide of AIDS in Africa at the community level, they will be found in the communities themselves. We’ve worked to create a funding model that is responsive and flexible, and reflects the needs and priorities on the ground. To do this requires flexibility, openness and constant learning.

For example, we are frequently asked how much it would take to send a child to school. It’s not that easy, say the experts at community level. A grant for school fees is wonderful, but it doesn’t go far enough.

Students need uniforms and shoes, paper and pencils. Children need kerosene or candles at home for evening homework. They need to eat, at least once a day, or they won’t be able to concentrate on their studies. Families need additional support so that orphaned girls can be relieved of essential chores and enabled to attend school. The leaky roof on the house has to be repaired so that children can sleep through the night. And if there is one thing around education that we’ve learned from the projects, it is that children orphaned by AIDS, no matter what their age, need grief counselling to overcome the trauma of their loss. All in all, it is a delicate and urgent web of deprivations and responses.

Through regular field visits and frequent contact with programme staff in Africa, we are able to ensure that the funds we send are being put to the best use possible. This includes funding for operating costs, salaries and stipends for home-based care workers, all of which are critical to ensuring that the day-to-day work can continue.

Our initial grants are often small – ranging from $10,000 to $35,000. As our African partners grown in strength and capacity, so can our grants.  We are currently supporting a number of organizations with large and multi-year grants.

Learn more about our Areas of Work and Where We Fund.