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.  The event’s mission is to raise funds to support HIV/AIDS-related services and prevention programs at the benefiting agencies, increase knowledge and awareness about AIDS, increase volunteerism and activism around the epidemic and promote 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-related 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 3000 in 2008. The money raised by participants has grown from $4.7 million in 2002 to more than $12 million in 2008. As donations have grown, our cost of fundraising has decreased. 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 brings new donors to each organization and often turns participants into impassioned and committed advocates. These are critical outcomes that contribute to the overall success of the fundraising efforts at each organization.

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 benefiting agency 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.