This year, Philadelphia will be losing one of its oldest, most respected HIV/AIDS organizations. Representatives from AIDS Fund announced during its monthly GayBINGO event on Dec. 14 that the organization would cease operations effective Dec. 31. Philadelphia nonprofit Action Wellness will carry on the tradition of AIDS Fund’s beloved GayBINGO and Black-Tie GayBINGO fundraising events.
The staff and board of AIDS Fund issued the following statement to the press: “Since our founding during the peak of the AIDS epidemic, significant medical advancements in HIV care and prevention have dramatically transformed the landscape, reducing the number of new infections, and improving quality of life for those living with HIV disease. Although our work is concluding, the pursuit of Getting to Zero: Zero Stigma, Zero New Infections, and Zero Deaths, remains a vital task that requires ongoing commitment and resources. 18,658 of our friends, family and neighbors in Philadelphia are currently living with HIV disease, many of whom lack stable housing. It is our hope that local leaders — in government, non-profits, and industry — will put greater effort and resources into supporting this vulnerable community.”
In a separate statement sent to PGN, AIDS Fund Executive Director Robb Reichard commented on why the organization is closing.
“Since its founding, AIDS Fund has remained laser focused on the HIV epidemic,” Reichard said. “As a result of this singular focus, we always hoped that one day our work would be completed. We are proud of our contributions to the fight against HIV in Philadelphia, and believe that with the advances in both the prevention and treatment we can conclude our work at this time.”
Action Wellness Executive Director Mary Evelyn Torres, who took over the nonprofit last year after the retirement of then-director Kevin Burns, issued the following statement about the nonprofit taking over GayBINGO events: “We are honored that AIDS Fund has chosen Action Wellness to uphold the legacy of GayBINGO. We are dedicated to ensuring its ongoing success and utilizing the proceeds to support individuals living with HIV. The LGBTQ+ community has played a pivotal role since the onset of the HIV epidemic, and this dedication remains steadfast, as evidenced by 28 years of GayBINGO. We extend our gratitude to AIDS Fund, its staff, volunteers, and Board for their unwavering commitment to the community and the remarkable contributions they have made in the battle against HIV.”
The organization’s roots trace back to 1987, when volunteers from Penguin Place, Philadelphia’s lesbian and gay community center, organized the city’s first Walk-A-Thon to support local AIDS agencies and raise awareness about the disease. That inaugural AIDS Walk Philly raised $33,000. Since then, thousands of participants have gathered annually for the region’s largest HIV/AIDS public awareness and fundraising event. It has gone on to raise more than $18 million in the fight against HIV.
When asked about the future of the AIDS Walk, Torres responded with the following statement to PGN: “Like so many in our community, we’ve loved participating in the AIDS Walk for many years. AIDS Fund is sharing its AIDS Walk resources and information with us. But for now, we are focusing on delivering a great 2025 GayBINGO lineup starting with January’s Rhinestone Cowgirls theme, Black-Tie GayBINGO in March, and our annual Dining Out for Life in April.”
In 2017, AIDS Fund initiated a program of giving micro-grants (averaging just $394) to the most vulnerable of those living with HIV: those who found their health threatened because of impending evictions or the loss of health insurance or utilities. Over the past seven years, AIDS Fund provided 1,830 grants totaling over $721,013.
The press release from AIDS Fund also included a comment looking toward the future.
“We deeply respect and trust Action Wellness, and know they will continue to deliver high quality essential services to people living with HIV disease in our communities along with continuing the tradition and evolution of GayBINGO,” the release reads.