AIDS/LifeCycle was launched in 2002 by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center (LAGLC) in order to create a new endurance cycling event produced directly by the event's beneficiaries. By producing the event directly, the beneficiaries have been able to assure that the event remains entirely focused on the fight against HIV. Our mission statement addresses our principal goal of raising funds to support AIDS services and programs at the benefiting agencies and articulates the goals of increasing knowledge and awareness about AIDS, increasing volunteerism and activism around the epidemic and promoting understanding and compassion for HIV-affected communities.

While these broad goals are important, we remain committed to the critical goal of raising funds to support the AIDS services at both the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. As event participation has grown, so has our success at raising funds. Our combined roadie and cyclist participation has grown from 907 in 2002, to over 2800 in 2006. Income raised by participants has similarly grown from $4.7 million in 2002 to nearly $11 million in 2007. As funds raised has increased our cost of fundraising has decreased each and every year. The table below summarizes our success:

* Revenue for AIDS/LifeCycle 1 includes $1.4 million in underwriting to cover expenses in our first year.

AIDS/LifeCycle is an increasingly critical part of both benefiting agencies development efforts. In addition to the funds raised, AIDS/LifeCycle contributes to the fundraising efforts by bringing new donors to each agency and creating impassioned and committed advocates among the participants. These are critical outcomes that contribute to the overall success of the fundraising efforts at each agency.

Helping donors and participants understand the important role their fundraising plays in supporting our HIV/AIDS programs is a key step in building a lasting relationship with our participants and long term confidence from donors. The website of each of the benefiting agencies contains a wealth of information about our programs and services as well as annual reports and independently audited financial statements that account for AIDS/LifeCycle revenue and expenses as part of the audited results. The San Francisco AIDS Foundation's website is at www.sfaf.org and contains the most recent independent audit performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's website can be found at www.lagaycenter.org  and contains the most recent independent audit performed by Vasquez & Company LLP.

AIDS/LifeCycle is not an independent legal entity and hence there are not separate AIDS/LifeCycle financial statements. Revenue and expenses for AIDS/LifeCycle are incorporated directly into the audited statements of each agency.

We are proud of our stewardship of AIDS/LifeCycle and are extremely grateful to the cyclists and roadies that have helped make this event a success. If you have additional questions please contact either Sarah Sypniewski, Los Angeles Associate Director, at 323-993-7626 or Susan Parish, San Francisco Associate Director, at 415-581-7093.