Celebrating 25 Years of Partnership, and a New Chapter for M∙A∙C’s VIVA GLAM
Over the last 25 years, we’ve been in awe of all our grantee partners have accomplished. From innovative rapid-care programs for the newly-diagnosed, to groundbreaking needle exchange programs and sex ed tools for at-risk populations, to providing the most basic needs like food and housing — through the work of global non-profit partners, a single tube of lipstick has helped accomplish more than we could have ever imagined.
Through the sale of VIVA GLAM, M∙A∙C has been honored to serve the global HIV/AIDS community with nearly 10,000 grants and over 1,800 partnerships with groundbreaking organizations around the world. That’s real, roll-up-your-sleeves aid for tens of millions of people. As we usher in this quarter-century milestone, we’ve hit another — over $500 million in funds raised.
While reflecting on these accomplishments during this marquee 25th anniversary celebration, we’re also turning our sights toward the future. Over our decades supporting the global HIV/AIDS community, we’ve come to know that ending the disease and stopping its spread is an intersectional, multi-faceted endeavor. It involves not just breakthroughs in healthcare and living assistance, but also ending stigma, creating equal rights for marginalized communities and opening access to resources for all.
While the fight to end HIV/AIDS is far from over, it looks much different than it did in 1994 when M∙A∙C created the VIVA GLAM campaign. AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 50%, over 21.7 million people have access to medication, and there are 47% fewer new HIV infections globally. Still, challenges continue, especially for those most impacted by HIV or health disparities such as women of color and the LGBTQ community.
To take aim at this shift in scope, we’re evolving our mission and changing the name of our Fund in the U.S. With the same steadfast support for the HIV/AIDS community, we’ll also be doubling down on support that addresses the needs and inequities of communities most impacted by the disease. These expanded priorities include funding for programs aimed at creating healthy futures and equal rights for women and the LGBTQ community. And, this month, we’ll transform the U.S. based foundation from the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund to the M∙A∙C VIVA GLAM Fund to reflect our broadend approach in the U.S.
The M∙A∙C VIVA GLAM Fund will build on the incredible progress we’ve made toward ending the AIDS epidemic and take it even further, addressing root causes and those populations most affected by the disease. Every cent of our VIVA GLAM Lipstick will continue to be granted to an expanded list of partner organizations.
To kick off our 25th year celebration, we will honor 10 heritage VIVA GLAM grantees with $25,000 grants, including God’s Love We Deliver, AIDS Project Los Angeles, and Heartland Health Alliance among others. And to jumpstart our next chapter, we’ve partnered with three grantees that represent and support our expanded vision: Planned Parenthood, GLAAD and Girls, Inc.
The fight to end HIV/AIDS is far from over. We remain immensely grateful for the work we’ve done alongside our valued partners and look forward to our continued championing of beautiful, bold, healthy futures for all…one lipstick at a time.
