The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is pleased to announce 18 award recipients of its 2014 Challenge Grants — a legacy program that awards financial support to organizations that are making a difference in the HIV epidemic and the lives of people living with the virus in Illinois. A combined total of $220,000 was awarded among the receiving organizations.

This year, funding was determined based on four categories: Community Mobilization, Strengthening Communities & Reducing Health Disparities, Integration of Service Systems, and Improving Outcomes at Every Stage of HIV Care. These categories directly align with the initiatives set forth by AFC’s 2013-2015 Strategic Plan.

“After an in-depth review process by our Grant Making Committee, we are excited to announce this year’s grant recipients and look forward to supporting an array of innovative and strong HIV/AIDS programs,” said Cynthia Tucker, AFC’s director of Prevention and Community Partnerships.

AFC will be providing funding to the following organizations:

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago

Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance

Care2Prevent at the University of Chicago

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago/Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition Enhancement

Chicago House & Social Service Agency

FCAN

Heartland Health Outreach

Hektoen Institute for Medical Research/City-Wide Adolescent Sexual Health Roundtable

Howard Brown Health Center

LAF

McDermott Center (Haymarket)

New Age Services Corporation

Open Door Clinic

Planned Parenthood of Illinois

Puerto Rican Cultural Center — Vida/SIDA/MSM Taskforce

The CORE Foundation/Step Up Get Tested Plus

The Night Ministry

TPA Network

The 2014 Challenge Grants prioritize strategies advancing the fight against HIV/AIDS within the following populations identified in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men of all races and ethnicities, African Americans, Latinos/Latinas, transgender people and women of color.

“Given the major changes facing the HIV/AIDS service sector, including implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, new prevention strategies and the increasing need for community collaboration, our Challenge Grants give us an opportunity to fund innovative programs that address immediate and long-term priorities in an ever-changing HIV/AIDS landscape,” said John Peller, AFC president/CEO.