irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $263KTraining and Education - provision of information and education to firms and associations through printed materials, presentations, and referrals.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
DIFFA Fellowship
Supports a second-year HIV/AIDS Research and Clinical Studies Fellow at the Northwestern Medicine Center for Infectious Disease in Chicago
National Events Program
Organizes large-scale fundraising events including DIFFA BY DESIGN and House of DIFFA to mobilize the design industry and raise awareness and funds
Unrestricted Grants Program
Provides unrestricted funding to organizations serving people impacted by HIV/AIDS, food and housing insecurities, and mental health issues, allowing grantees to allocate funds where most needed
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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HIV Research and Advocacy Funding 4 activities
- Funding HIV/AIDS organizations addressing health and social inequitiesFunds organizations that provide aid and healthcare access to people affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as those addressing food and housing insecurities and mental health issues, focusing on reducing inequality and injustice. Has granted over $58 million to HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide since 1984.
- Funding direct care and resources for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDSAwards grants to organizations that provide direct care and essential resources to individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS, supporting community-based services across the country.
- Funding unrestricted grants to local HIV/AIDS organizationsProvides unrestricted financial support to local HIV/AIDS organizations, such as those in Chicago, enabling them to address urgent and evolving community needs.
- Supporting HIV/AIDS research and clinical fellowsFunds second-year HIV/AIDS research and clinical studies fellows at the Northwestern Medicine Center for Infectious Disease, supporting advanced training and research since 1990.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Organizing fundraising events and managing grant-making operationsOrganizes signature fundraising events such as DIFFA BY DESIGN and oversees the end-to-end grant-making process, ensuring effective distribution of funds to grantees.
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Digital Donation Processing Platforms 1 activity
- Processing donations and donor stewardshipProcesses and acknowledges donations, issues tax-deductible receipts, and keeps donors informed about DIFFA’s programs, events, and activities to maintain engagement and transparency.
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Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
- Providing direct support and coordination for grantees and partnersOffers direct operational support and coordination to partner organizations, grantees, and the communities they serve, strengthening program implementation and impact.
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HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support Services 1 activity
- Providing training and educational resources to firms and associationsDelivers training and education through printed materials, presentations, and referrals to firms and associations, enhancing sector-wide knowledge and response to HIV/AIDS and related issues.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$914K
Contributions & grants$441K48%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$13K1%
Other revenue$460K
expenses
Total expenses$1.23M
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$459K
Grants paid out$454K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.67M
Cash$861K
Investments$0
Liabilities$807K
Net assets$865K
Liquid reserves8.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -34.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn Roberson | Executive Direc | 35 | $138K |
board members · 21
- Abigail French — Trustee
- Brooke Horan — Trustee
- Christine Abbate — Trustee
- Cindy Allen — Chair Emeritus
- DONNA FISHEL — Trustee
- David Rockwell — Chair Emeritus
- Dereine Coleman — Trustee
- GARY WHEELER — TRUSTEE
- Jamie Gagliano — Trustee
- Jennifer Schimmel — Trustee
- Joan MacKeith — Trustee
- Jon Otis — Trustee
- Jonas Gabbai — TRUSTEE
- Katherina Plath — Trustee
- Lauren Corbin — Trustee
- Richard Lombard — Trustee
- Richard Rivas — Trustee
- Thomas Polucci — Trustee
- Tina Brennan — Trustee
- Tyler Offut — Trustee
- Yiannos Vrousgas — Trustee
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- ASID Partner — Gary Wheeler, member of DIFFA’s Board of Trustees, is affiliated with ASID.
- Authorize.Net Partner — Payment processing partner used to securely handle online donations.
- Benjamin Moore Partner — Lauren Corbin, member of DIFFA’s Board of Trustees, is affiliated with Benjamin Moore.
- Callen-Lorde Partner — Funded by DIFFA to provide health care services targeted to LGBTQ+ communities in New York.
- Charity Navigator Government — Rated DIFFA with a four-star rating.
- Chicago Partner — Chapter of DIFFA operating in Chicago
- Dallas Partner — Chapter of DIFFA operating in Dallas
- GMHC Partner — Funded by DIFFA to offer free and confidential HIV testing services in New York City.
- Gensler Partner — Jonas Gabbai, member of DIFFA’s Board of Trustees, is affiliated with Gensler.
- GuideStar Government — Awarded DIFFA a Platinum Seal of Transparency.
- HOK Partner — Thomas Polucci, Chair of DIFFA’s Board of Trustees, is affiliated with HOK.
- Housing Works Partner — Funded by DIFFA to provide comprehensive services to homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Interior Design Partner — Cindy Allen, Chair Emeritus of DIFFA’s Board of Trustees, is affiliated with Interior Design magazine.
- New York Partner — Chapter of DIFFA operating in New York
- Northwestern Medicine Center for Infectious Disease Partner — Hosts the DIFFA Chicago Fellowship for HIV/AIDS Research and Clinical Studies.
- Pratt Institute Partner — Jon Otis, member of DIFFA’s Board of Trustees, is affiliated with Pratt Institute.
- Rockwell Group Partner — David Rockwell, Chair Emeritus of DIFFA’s Board of Trustees, is affiliated with Rockwell Group.
- San Francisco Partner — Chapter of DIFFA operating in San Francisco
- Steelcase Partner — Abigail French, member of DIFFA’s Board of Trustees, is affiliated with Steelcase.
- UC San Francisco Partner — Home institution of Ward 86, an outpatient clinic receiving support from DIFFA San Francisco.
- Ward 86 Partner — Receives grant funding from DIFFA San Francisco for HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
- organizations providing aid and access to healthcare Partner — Funds organizations that serve people impacted by HIV/AIDS, food and housing insecurities, and mental health issues.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Impact-Driven Grantmaking with Accountability Safeguardsmethodology: impact-driven_grantmakingBy evaluating AIDS service organizations for fiscal responsibility and program effectiveness before funding, the foundation ensures donor dollars achieve measurable outcomes because rigorous grantee assessment maximizes the impact and credibility of philanthropic investments.
- Industry Mobilization Through Design Expertise and Networksmethodology: industry-mobilization-through-chaptersBy engaging the design industry through chapters, events, and creative outreach, the foundation leverages professional networks and resources to amplify support for HIV/AIDS services because sector-specific engagement increases both financial contributions and public awareness.
- Unrestricted Grantmaking for Community-Led Prioritiesmethodology: unrestricted_grantmakingBy providing unrestricted funds to AIDS service organizations, the foundation enables grantees to direct resources toward their most urgent needs—such as utilities, meals, and transportation—because community-based providers are best positioned to identify and respond to local crises, especially amid declining public funding.