The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has established the Frankie Knuckles Fund in collaboration with Judy Weinstein and Defmix Productions, according to an EJAF statement. Known as the “Godfather of House Music,” the gay black DJ and record producer died March 31 of Type II diabetes-related complications. He was 59.

EJAF created the fund to support HIV/AIDS education, testing and treatment. Specifically, the fund will support EJAF programs for men at high risk of HIV in Africa, as well as programs for African communities in the United Kingdom and programs for African Americans in the United States.

Born in the Bronx, Knuckles started his music career in New York City before moving to Chicago, which is where he is credited with creating house music. He earned a Grammy Award in 1997 and was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Memorials were held April 21 in Chicago and April 22 in New York City.

To read the statement, click here.