About the Foundation

The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) supports community-based organizations working to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Since 2003, we have funded more than 700 initiatives with 300 organizations in 15 countries.

We know from experience that the fastest and most effective way to get funds into the hands of those who need them most is through small, committed, community-based organizations. The staff and volunteers of these organizations are unwavering in their commitment to save lives, provide counselling and support to all who need it, and to restore hope in every home, classroom and community.

Our Areas of Focus

We fund a wide variety of grassroots initiatives, with a particular focus on the following areas:

• Children affected by AIDS
• Grandmothers
• Home-based health care
• Positive living
• Sexual violence and HIV/AIDS

Every organization supported by the Stephen Lewis Foundation has a strong connection to the community. They recognize that gender inequality drives the AIDS pandemic in Africa, and that it is essential to have dedicated programmes that support grandmothers, girls and women. For more information on the critical work being done by community organizations to turn the tide of AIDS in Africa, please visit the Where We Fund section.

Why We Fund at the Grassroots

The AIDS pandemic is ravaging the continent of Africa, and particularly sub-Saharan Africa. According to the UNAIDS Global Report of 2010, sub-Saharan Africa is home to 68% of people living with HIV worldwide and 72% of global AIDS deaths. Of the 22.5 million people living with HIV on the continent, more than half are women, and a growing number are children. Although great strides have been made to provide treatment in recent years, only 37% of those who need it are receiving antiretroviral drugs, and the number of orphaned children continues to rise.

Despite these alarming figures, the same report identifies some real progress in halting and beginning to reverse the epidemic. Fewer people are becoming infected with HIV and fewer people are dying from AIDS. Increasingly, African countries themselves have taken on the financial responsibility for prevention, treatment, care and support, accounting for 52% of resources for the HIV response.

But, just as these advances are beginning to make a difference, western governments have flat-lined or cut back their funding of AIDS assistance.

This is where the Stephen Lewis Foundation steps in to play a critical role. Our philosophy is firmly rooted in the knowledge 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. They are the experts, and they are widely acknowledged as providing the best care for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. 

These resourceful and creative grassroots groups are restoring lives and hope to their communities and are on the cusp of bringing real change throughout the continent.

Our funding is based on the principles of social justice, equality and partnership. Before we fund an organization, one of our Field Representatives will visit to assess its connection to the community, its ability to implement programmes and its financial accountability systems. We communicate regularly with the staff of each funded organization so we can ensure that our approach is sensitive, responsive, respects their expertise, and promotes sustainability. To learn more about how we fund, click here.