AIDS Committee of Toronto

Bringing SNAP 2025 to life has been a journey of creativity, passion, and hard work. Each piece of artwork reflects the dedication of talented artists and the commitment of our team to making this event unforgettable. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate this incredible ocassion and support folks living and at risk of HIV. 🎟️ Secure your tickets now: https://lnkd.in/gK3whP7Z Toronto Image Works Craig D'Arville

ACT wishes you and yours a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! There are 5 days left in 2024 and we are over 73% of the way towards our goal of raising $100,000 for our programs and services that assist over 700 individuals living with and at risk of HIV annually. Help us fill the gap and you will receive a charitable tax receipt. https://lnkd.in/gyVuBDgz

SAVE THE DATE! Join us on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Daniels Spectrum for SNAP, the photographic art auction in support of ACT . ✨ Early bird tickets are available now, but don’t wait, prices go up soon! Enjoy a night filled with incredible food, beverages, and the chance to bid on stunning art, all while supporting a vital cause. 💖 All proceeds support ACT’s compassionate programs for people living with and at risk of HIV, helping to create a healthier, stigma-free future. 📅 Secure your tickets today!

Don’t forget to wear your red ribbon this #WorldAIDSDay The red ribbon is a global symbol of solidarity, remembrance, and a commitment to ending the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. Earlier this month, ACT staff proudly participated alongside #canfar and #GileadSciencesCanada in breaking the Guinness World Record of the most awareness ribbons made in one hour by a team, showing the power of community in raising awareness for this vital cause. #MyRedRibbon

Stories like this show the strength and resilience of our community. This #WorldAIDSDay, your support helps provide vital services for people living with and at risk of HIV. [Learn more and donate via the link in the comments.]

Yesterday Ryan Lisk and I, representing ACT (AIDS Committee of Toronto) met with MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam at Queen’s Park to demand that the Government of Ontario increase and align funding to AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) with community needs, commit to indexed annual fund increases and invest in equitable access to HIV support services. Thank you Kristyn for your allyship and partnership. ❤️

ACT in the News: Director of Philanthropy & Communications Sam Katz, CFRE speaks out about the looming funding cuts to queer communities in Xtra. It is a critical time for our communities, and ACT is here to fight back. https://lnkd.in/g2cs4aQE

What an incredible week! The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) & Gilead Sciences Canada officially broke not one, but TWO, Guinness World Records™ titles to honour #WorldAIDSDay. On November 12th, we beat the record for the Most Awareness Ribbons Made in One Hour; and on November 13th, we set a new record for the World's Largest Awareness Ribbon Mosaic, which is on display at Snider Plaza in downtown Ottawa until December 1st. In Toronto, we gathered over 150 community members and supporters at The 519, including MPPs Marit Stiles & Kristyn Wong-Tam, MP Robert Oliphant, and City Councillor Chris Moise, and made a total of 11,255 red ribbons in one hour—beating the previous record of 5,471! In Ottawa, we set a brand-new record with a red ribbon mosaic made out of 19,000 awareness ribbons, measuring at 29.729 sq. m. This initiative is part of our #MyRedRibbon campaign to raise awareness across Canada that HIV is still here. You can learn more about how to support people living with HIV at: https://lnkd.in/gArAHd4r. Thank you to Billy Newton-Davis for being our Expert Witness, MIKE CHALUT for being an incredible MC, Curran Stikuts & the whole team at the 519, and of course, all the CANFAR staff & supporters. A big thank you to our friends at Gilead Sciences Canada as well. Matthew Harding Sharlene Knight Andrew Forgione Alex Filiatrault Jazmine George Adam M. Victoria Gormley Kevin Noguera Andres Vargas Photos: Matt Tibbo Ryan Emberley Ming Wu

There are plenty of ways to support ACT, even with the Canada Post strike in effect! Check our alternative giving options.

“We know that our queer communities will face more cuts from different government agencies, and I think that’s scary,” says Sam Katz, director of philanthropy and communications at AIDS Committee of Toronto “Just take a look at (Ontario Premier) Doug Ford’s government and what he did with autism funding—we know historically with Conservative governments come funding cuts to services, and having worked in this sector for almost 20 years, the experience has been that those cuts will come.” One strategy for engaging more donors is getting innovative with new ways to incentivize giving. “Gen Z and even millennials aren’t really concerned with tax receipts,” says Katz, who in addition to leading ACT’s fundraising strategies, also advises other non-profits about ways of earning financial support. Katz is helping ACT set up an “impact store” where people can buy stickers and other merchandise with proceeds going back to the organization. “Today’s younger donors, they’re more concerned about getting an experience or product in return for that donation.”