European philanthropic funding around HIV/AIDS has fallen since 2006, and the increase in US-based funding is solely due to grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, according to Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) and the European HIV/AIDS Funders Group (EFG) reports released last week.

HIV/AIDS-related philanthropy in 2008 totalled $618m (£369m) from US-based philanthropies and €91m (£81m) from European-based funders.

Total HIV/AIDS philanthropy funding from U.S.-based funders increased 11% in 2008 compared to 2007, or $63m (£38m). Without funding from the Gates Foundation, estimated expenditures by U.S.-based philanthropies decreased by 3% over the same period, the report said. Total funding for HIV/AIDS by European-based philanthropies dropped by €1.7m (£1.5m) or 1% between 2007 and 2008 and €5m (£4.5m), or 7% between 2006 and 2008.

Paul De Lay, deputy executive director, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), said, “Private philanthropic donations make a significant contribution to the AIDS response, notably in supporting critical research and for HIV prevention and treatment programmes for key populations and people at higher risk of infection.

“However, we are still facing tremendous challenges and the continued commitment and support from philanthropic donors is essential for an effective response to the epidemic.”

The reports are released amidst growing attention of the now vulnerable global financial response to the AIDS epidemic, reported by Philanthropy UK earlier this month.

Astrid Bonfield, chair of EFG and chief executive of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, a member of the Association of Charitable Foundations, said, “Funders should be creative and committed in their efforts to increase HIV funding and to sharpen the focus and impact of their existing HIV/AIDS programmess to sustain the momentum made and ensure support to people living with and affected by HIV, even in tougher financial times.”

The reports are available to download from the FCAA and EFG websites.