AmfAR

"The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of HIV/AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Funded by voluntary contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations, amfAR has invested nearly $250 million in support of its mission since 1985 and funded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide."

History
Founded in 1985, amfAR had its roots in 1983 with the NY based AIDS Medical Foundation. Its goal was to raise funds for research since the Government was slow in providing funds. It mades its first grants in 1984 as well as beginning to educate both the public and legislators. In September 1985, amfAR was created when AMF merged with the National AIDS Research Foundation, which had been incorporated in California in August 1985. Influential in its founding was Mathilde Krim, Ph.D. (the founding Chairman and, at the time, a researcher at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center), and Elizabeth Taylor, the founding International Chairman.

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.

Role of Celebrities
Since its inception, many public figures have given their time, energy and money to the organization. Currently, the Chairman of the Board is Kenneth Cole (a shoe designer who has used his ads to raise awareness about AIDS); trustees include Harry Belafonte and Natasha Richardson and Sharon Stone serves as the Chairman, Campaign for AIDS Research.