← Back to US Funders Directory

Elton John AIDS Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$21.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21+ million (2023 - highest ever)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Variable depending on program
  • Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (Robert Key Memorial Fund) to multi-year grants (amount varies)
  • Geographic Focus: Global (Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern U.S., UK)

Contact Details

Address: 584 Broadway Suite 906, New York, NY 10012

Phone: 212-219-0670

Website: https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/

Email Contacts:

EIN: 58-2033460

Overview

Founded in 1992 by Sir Elton John, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has become one of the top 10 philanthropic funders of HIV/AIDS grants worldwide, raising over $565 million to support HIV-related programs across 90 countries. In 2023, the Foundation approved 56 new grants valued at over $21 million—the highest amount ever awarded in one year—funding 102 innovative programs across four continents. The Foundation merged its US and UK operations in 2018 to create a unified global grant-making strategy. In 2023, EJAF publicly launched The Rocket Fund, a $125 million (now expanded to $200 million) three-year campaign to accelerate life-saving work tackling growing rates of HIV infections in vulnerable communities. The Foundation commits 80% of funds raised to grant-making efforts, 18% to fundraising and monitoring, and 2% to administrative costs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Note: The Foundation is currently developing new guidelines around future funding opportunities following the integration of US and UK operations. Announcements on new funding rounds will be posted on their website and social media channels.

Previous/Established Grant Programs:

  • Pioneer Grants: Support specific initiatives focusing on individual key populations at higher risk (men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs) within an individual country. Multi-year funding available with no prescribed award amount.

  • Support Grants: Drive momentum towards an AIDS-free future with potential to impact large numbers of people, targeting vulnerable girls, women, and children. Available by invitation only.

  • Robert Key Memorial Fund: Small, one-off grants up to £10,000 per year to grassroots initiatives delivering tangible, immediate benefits to people living with HIV. Rolling application process for single or multi-year programs.

  • Regional Partnership Grants: In the U.S. Southern states, EJAF collaborates with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Aileen Getty Foundation to provide combined grant resources ($625,000 to 12 organizations in the fourth round). Previous grants included $330,000 to five initiatives in 2016.

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on:

  • Empowering young people at risk of HIV
  • Supporting LGBTQ+ communities, particularly men who have sex with men
  • Stamping out stigma for people who use drugs
  • Eastern Europe and Central Asia regional focus
  • Breaking down barriers to care in the U.S. South (particularly for Black Americans and communities of color)
  • Sub-Saharan Africa (15 priority countries including Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria)
  • South London boroughs

Funded activities include:

  • Advocacy and policy work
  • Testing innovative ways to reach vulnerable populations
  • Data-driven HIV interventions
  • HIV testing, prevention, and care programs
  • Reducing barriers to treatment
  • Raising public awareness and combating stigma

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct grants to individuals (only registered not-for-profit or charitable organizations eligible)
  • Projects that repeat activities without significantly building on previous results (for existing grantees)

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Honorary Lifetime President: Sir Elton John Honorary Lifetime President: Billie Jean King Board Chair: David Furnish (producer of theater and music) CEO: Anne Aslett (served EJAF for almost 20 years, previously Executive Director of EJAF UK, assumed global CEO role when US and UK foundations merged in 2018)

Board Members:

  • Tani Austin (Co-Chair and Rocket Fund Co-Chair)
  • Tobias Hestler (Treasurer)
  • Emma Kane (Deputy Chair)
  • Paul Buccieri
  • Chris Cooper
  • Jamie Cooper
  • Ilana Kloss
  • Sandra Lee
  • Kevin Martinez
  • Henry R. Muñoz III (Rocket Fund Co-Chair)
  • Tom Moore
  • Joshua Schulman

Senior Leadership:

  • Anne Scott - Chief Program and Impact Officer
  • Richard Pyle - Director of Policy and Advocacy
  • Margherita Douglas - Chief Communications Officer
  • Emily Poznanski - Director of Development

Leadership Quote on Mission: Sir Elton John: "No one should suffer from stigma, fear or lack of access to treatment anymore. We will not leave anyone behind."

Anne Aslett on funding philosophy: "We don't provide services directly but seek out those on the 'front lines' of the epidemic who are trusted by their communities... We see ourselves as partners to those we fund, so we work together to develop effective metrics to track progress and course correct."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: The Foundation is currently showing "NO OPEN OPPORTUNITIES" as they develop new guidelines around future funding following their global operational merger. Future funding rounds will be announced on their website and social media channels.

When Applications Are Open:

  • Applicants must complete and submit an online concept note through their application portal
  • Speculative applications by email cannot be accepted and will not be reviewed
  • Applications use Formstack webforms, with data received instantly by Foundation staff in Salesforce

Eligibility:

  • Must be registered not-for-profit or charitable organizations
  • Individuals are not eligible
  • Geographic eligibility varies by program but has included countries in Africa (Botswana, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe), Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Europe (Russian Federation, Ukraine, UK), and the United States (particularly Southern states)

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines are not publicly disclosed and vary by grant program. Between 2011 and 2020, the Foundation processed and reviewed more than 4,500 concept notes from 44 countries, suggesting a substantial volume of applications.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rate percentages. In 2023, they approved 56 new grants from the thousands of concept notes received over recent years, indicating a competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Existing or previous grantees are welcome to reapply. However, they must either:

  • Implement different interventions from their previous project, OR
  • Strategically build on what they achieved in their previous grant

The Foundation will not support projects that repeat activities without significantly building on previous results.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Partner Selection Criteria

The Foundation looks for organizations that are:

  • "Trusted by their communities" to help those in need
  • On the "front lines" of the epidemic
  • Able to provide HIV information, affordable testing, and linkage to treatment and care

Budget and Proposal Approach

Budget wisely: "Apply for the amount that you need (up to the maximum budget ceiling) to achieve the results that you plan to achieve, rather than automatically applying for the full maximum amount."

Target the right population: Identify the most significant HIV-related problem(s) faced by key populations most affected by HIV/AIDS (people who use drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, and people living with HIV).

What the Foundation Values

Partnership approach: CEO Anne Aslett emphasizes: "We see ourselves as partners to those we fund, so we work together to develop effective metrics to track progress and course correct."

Metrics and evaluation: The Foundation tracks:

  • UN's 90-90-90 treatment cascade
  • Program management quality
  • Healthcare delivery efficiency
  • Political/social risks
  • Financial leverage
  • Communication opportunities

Strategic impact: Anne Aslett on resource efficiency: "Pressures for resources from COVID and other diseases, climate change and civil unrest means we have to make sure that every dollar for HIV works as hard as it can to achieve impact."

Recent Funding Examples

  • 2023: $21+ million across 56 new grants to 102 programs on four continents
  • U.S. South: $625,000 to 12 organizations (in partnership with Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Aileen Getty Foundation)
  • 32 grants focused on Black Americans in the southern U.S.
  • 35 grants with focus on gay men and/or MSM
  • 20 grants serving transgender people
  • States funded include Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Florida
  • 2022: Zipline received $1,015,000 for HIV services in Western Kenya

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Monitor their website and social media closely - The Foundation is developing new funding guidelines and will announce opportunities through these channels. Sign up for alerts.

  • Position your organization as a trusted community partner - The Foundation prioritizes funding organizations that are "on the front lines" and "trusted by their communities," not just experienced service providers.

  • Focus on vulnerable populations - Strongest alignment if your work serves LGBTQ+ communities (especially MSM), young people, people who use drugs, sex workers, or transgender populations.

  • Emphasize partnership and metrics - The Foundation sees grantees as partners and values collaborative metric development. Demonstrate your capacity for data-driven evaluation and course correction.

  • Build on previous work if reapplying - Previous grantees must show strategic evolution, not repetition. Demonstrate how you're advancing beyond previous grant activities.

  • Be strategic with budget requests - Don't automatically request the maximum amount. Request what you genuinely need to achieve measurable results.

  • Only apply through the online portal - Email applications will not be reviewed. Wait for official funding round announcements.

References

  1. Elton John AIDS Foundation Official Website - Funding Opportunities: https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/funding/ (Accessed January 2026)

  2. Elton John AIDS Foundation - What We Fund: https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/what-we-do/what-we-fund/ (Accessed January 2026)

  3. Elton John AIDS Foundation - Our Team: https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/about-us/our-team/ (Accessed January 2026)

  4. "LEADERS Interview with Anne Aslett, Chief Executive Officer, Elton John AIDS Foundation," LEADERS Magazine, 2022: https://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2022.2_Apr/Purpose/LEADERS_Anne_Aslett_Elton_John_AIDS_Foundation_EJAF.html (Accessed January 2026)

  5. Charity Navigator - Elton John AIDS Foundation Profile (EIN: 58-2033460): https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/582033460 (Accessed January 2026)

  6. Elton John AIDS Foundation - Annual Report 2023 "More Vital Than Ever": https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Elton-John-AIDS-Foundation_Annual-Report_2023.pdf (Accessed January 2026)

  7. Vera Solutions - Elton John AIDS Foundation Case Study: https://www.verasolutions.org/portfolio/elton-john-aids-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)

  8. PR Newswire - "In Expanded Partnership, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, And The Aileen Getty Foundation Announce New Series Of Collaborative Grants Toward Ending AIDS In The Southern U.S.," April 2018: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-expanded-partnership-the-elton-john-aids-foundation-the-elizabeth-taylor-aids-foundation-and-the-aileen-getty-foundation-announce-new-series-of-collaborative-grants-toward-ending-aids-in-the-southern-us-300625889.html (Accessed January 2026)

  9. Elton John AIDS Foundation - The Rocket Fund: https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/what-we-do/rocketfund/ (Accessed January 2026)

  10. FundsforNGOs - "Elton John AIDS Foundation Grants for HIV/AIDS Projects": https://www.fundsforngos.org/foundation-funds-for-ngos/elton-john-aids-foundation-grants-for-hivaids-projects/ (Accessed January 2026)

← Back to US Funders Directory