Global philanthropic funding to fight AIDS reached $663 million in 2015, the latest year for which data are available. This amount represents a 10 percent increase from 2014 and is the highest level since 2008, according to a report titled Philanthropic Support to Address HIV/AIDS in 2015 and published by Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA).

“Although the increase in philanthropic funding is encouraging, there is still much effort needed to ensure we have the resources necessary to meet global HIV and AIDS targets,” said John L. Barnes, FCAA executive director, in a press release about the report. “It’s important to note, too, that philanthropic resources allocated to fighting the epidemic are concentrated among a handful of donors, leaving the field vulnerable to the decisions and fluctuations of a relatively small group.”

Among U.S.-based foundations and corporations, HIV/AIDS remains a low priority for funding. Out of $78.3 billion in available philanthropic funds in 2015, HIV/AIDS-specific work received $558 million. This means that 71 cents of every $100 was allocated to HIV-related issues.

The 2015 increase in AIDS funding was mostly a result of the top funders increasing their level of donations. For example, Gilead Sciences gave $51 million more in 2015 than 2014. ViiV Healthcare, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Johnson & Johnson and M•A•C AIDS Fund were also notable for increasing their funding.

According to the press release, other key findings from the 2015 report include:

  • The top region to receive private philanthropic funding was East and Southern Africa ($173 million).

  • The U.S. was the top country recipient, with $168 million granted.

  • After funding directed to the general population, top target populations receiving funding included: women and girls ($72 million), children age 0-14 ($66 million), youth age 15-24 ($52 million), and health care workers ($51 million).

  • Funding was most often used for research ($220 million). Other top categories for intended use include treatment ($162 million), prevention ($134 million), advocacy ($123 million), and social services ($97 million). Encouragingly, advocacy funding increased by $32 million from 2014 to 2015.

  • Funding for key populations­—including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and transgender populations—and for children increased by 59 percent from 2014 to 2015.

Download the 14th annual philanthropic report from the FCAA for free here.

According to the report, these are the top 10 AIDS funders for 2015:

  1. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (U.S), $197,050,394
  1. Gilead Sciences Inc. (U.S), $124,195,825
  1. M•A•C AIDS Fund and M•A•C Cosmetics (U.S), $44,875,448
  1. ViiV Healthcare (U.K. & U.S.) $29,143,479
  1. Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (U.K.), $21,032,181
  1. Wellcome Trust (U.K.), $17,755,519
  1. Ford Foundation (U.S), $16,045,025
  1. Johnson & Johnson (U.S.), $15,923,538
  1. Elton John AIDS Foundation (U.K. & U.S.), $15,002,619
  1. Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (U.S.), $11,127,000

 This FCAA infographic summarizes a few of the report findings:

Courtesy of FCAA