Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To promote health, well-being, and social justice for those living with HIV, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities marginalized by society.
- Income
- $19.6 million
- Spending
- $19.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 2.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 57%
- Employees
- 134
- Volunteers
- 161
- Highest pay
- $220,228, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $8.2 million spent. HIV Care and Housing: The Care Services Department ensures that people living with HIV have access to the services they need to maintain optimal health and live as independently and safely as possible. Through our Care Services, SAAF provides case management, medical case management, housing, psychosocial support, and other support services. Of all the people served, roughly 95% are low income, with over 60% living below the federal poverty level. Due to the ongoing economic conditions and the stress of living with limited incomes, the demand for Care Services remains high.SAAF provided services to 1,479 people living with HIV/AIDS and their household members throughout Southern Arizona including Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham, and Greenlee counties. Case Management Services: Case management provided needs assessments, the development of care and action plans, and the provision of or referral to necessary services. Case managers supported clients by linking them to medical care, behavioral health, substance abuse services, and other necessary social service programs.Support Services: Support services provided to clients include Complementary therapies, dental services (provided statewide except for Maricopa and Pinal counties), food and nutrition services (including the Food for Life program and the food pantry), Ensure nutritional drink distribution, Harvest Days, emergency meals, and an annual holiday giving project. Additionally, medication benefits management is provided for those clients enrolled through the Affordable Care Act federally facilitated marketplace (provided statewide) as well as medical benefits cost sharing assistance for those enrolled in the statewide AIDS Drug Assistance program. SAAF also provides support groups, transportation services, hygiene and cleaning supplies, and other personal support services.Housing Services: SAAF provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing to people living with HIV. SAAF provided over 413 people (including households) with housing services to prevent homelessness. Additionally, SAAF assists clients with rent, mortgage, and utility assistance, with the goal of helping individuals sustain their housing by using the nationally recognized Housing First model approach. Housing case management services are provided to support clients in maintaining their home, referring them to other social services, and linking them to HIV medical care.
- $7.9 million spent. SAAF Health Clinic and Prevention: SAAF's Prevention Department applies empowering harm reduction approaches to support healthier communities. With passion, compassion, humility, and creativity, SAAF strives to make a meaningful impact. We foster sex-positive, safe spaces and deliver culturally responsive, client-centered services. We engage our communities with flexibility and with non-judgment, grounded in the understanding that we are part of the communities we serve. Drawing on our expertise, we work to advance social inequality and build collaborative partnerships that enable comprehensive, coordinated services. We are a team that is committed to advocating with and for our communities. We are willing to challenge the status quo and take initiative rather than wait for change. We initiate, prevent, promote, and protect.The Prevention Department provides HIV, Hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, as well as health education, service navigation, and harm reduction support for individuals at increased risk for HIV and related health concerns. In calendar year 2024, the department conducted 1,859 tests for HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Navigation services were provided to a total of 331 individuals across multiple areas of care, including. Testing services are provided in Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa counties.These services directly support the organization's mission to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS, prevent overdose deaths, and address related health disparities in Southern Arizona.SAAF Health Clinic: Last year, SAAF's clinic provided 200 in-person visits and over 1300 telehealth visits. The clinic has approximately 125 PrEP patients, and we consistently provide refills for 300+ other patients through our contract telehealth providers.
- $608,311 spent. LGBTQ+ Youth Programs: Eon Youth Lounge: Through Eon programming, SAAF provides education, empowerment, support, and a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth. Youth Empowerment Leadership & Life skills (YELL): Substance abuse education, reduction, and coalition building is provided to Eon youth participants.Arizona Life Links for Youth (ALLY): This is a suicide prevention and LGBTQ youth arts initiative with the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Services include housing, food, transportation, emergency rent and utility assistance, and essential medical services that includes dental care and medical benefits management. Spectrum: Spectrum is a program collaboration with the University of Arizona's Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW). Through this collaboration, SAAF provides inclusive comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention groups and individual prevention navigation for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. Anti-Violence Program: SAAF'S Anti-Violence Program (AVP) offers comprehensive support services for LGBTQ+ survivors of interpersonal violence throughout Southern Arizona. The program provides essential resources such as safety and goal planning, basic needs assistance, emergency and transitional housing, advocacy, and guidance navigating the legal system. AVP actively works to respond to all forms of violence-including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and hate violence-targeted at or within the LGBTQ+ community. The program emphasizes a client-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally competent approach to ensure survivors receive respectful, effective support tailored to their unique needs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.