2008-2010 Strategic Plan

3. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE: Nearing 30 years since HIV/AIDS first emerged, the epidemic has sadly proven enduring and extremely difficult to eradicate. Without a cure or vaccine in the foreseeable future, AFC and other AIDS organizations must now prepare for the long haul and devise strategies to sustain momentum in the face of mounting financial uncertainty, growing numbers of HIV/AIDS cases, and increased complexity. Planned initiatives include:

• CommunityDirect Fundraising- Working with community partners, AFC will continue to create opportunities to empower agencies to fundraise for themselves through the annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago and other community-wide fundraising opportunities to be developed. In addition, AFC will help increase fundraising skills and capacity among participant organizations to help them seize available fundraising opportunities.
  
  
• Strategic Grantmaking- Renewing our commitment to grantmaking, AFC will restructure the grants application process, require grantees to establish and meet a modest fundraising match, and seek new sources of support to offer larger and more targeted grants awards, especially in HIV prevention.
  
  
• Sector Sustainability & Restructuring Initiative- Working through AFC's Service Providers Council, we will facilitate discussions with and among agency and community leaders on the current and future challenges facing the HIV/AIDS service sector. Facilitated discussions will explore new income-generating strategies; opportunities to integrate services into systems that do not focus exclusively on HIV; and alternative organizational models such as mergers, consolidations, and strategic partnerships- all aimed at promoting a rational and equitable care and prevention system in an era of decreased resources. By actively engaging stakeholders in provocative discussions, AFC hopes to promote service delivery changes that ensure high-quality services, cultural/linguistic competency, and innovations to better meet the needs of people with and at risk for HIV/AIDS.

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