Stephen Lewis Foundation is a 3-star charity with Fair demonstrated impact. It has a B+ Results Reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 72 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 2003, Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) works with community-led organizations to treat and prevent AIDS/HIV in 14 African countries. SLF partners with organizations led by community members. The charity states that 23% of adults and 43% of children living with HIV were not receiving treatment in 2023. It also states that about 90,000 children and adolescents died from AIDS-related causes in 2023.

SLF runs five programs, listed below. The charity spent $6.4m on its programs in its fiscal year ending June 2024. The charity posts both an impact report and an annual report. The most recent impact and annual reports available at the time of this update were from 2023 (January to December). The charity provides a breakdown of its international funded program spending in the notes to its audited financial statements, which Ci used for the breakdown below.

The Grandmothers program received 32% ($1.4m) of program spending in F2024. SLF states that grandmothers often care for children orphaned due to HIV. It also states that grandmothers often face both age and gender discrimination. SLF reports that it helped over 7,500 grandmothers take part in local governance, awareness, and advocacy activities in 2023. It also reports it helped over 2.1 million people access HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive services.

The Orphans and Vulnerable Children program received 27% ($1.1m) of program spending in F2024. SLF partners deliver HIV prevention, treatment, and care, along with educational support. The charity reports that it provided educational support to over 62,000 children in 2023. It also reports that the Music for Life subprogram reached over 500 children. Music for Life supports children through music therapy and creative programs in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Persons Living with HIV and AIDS program received 14% ($603k) of program spending in F2024. SLF partners provide treatment, counselling, and general support to HIV-positive people. The charity reports that 650,000 people received health services in 2023. It also reports that the Twavwane subprogram supported over 460 people through regular check-ins and services.

The LGBTIQ Partners in Pride program received 14% ($603k) of program spending in F2024. SLF reports that it reached over 711,000 people through its programs advocating for LGBTIQ rights in 2023. It also reports that it held nine pride talks and helped over 10,000 people access wellbeing supports.

The Women program received 13% ($559k) of program spending in F2024. SLF reports that it helped almost 466,000 people access protection services like safe spaces and legal support. It also reports it helped 67,000 people, primarily women, gain income-generation and financial literacy skills.

Stephen Lewis Foundation’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. Its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.

SLF received $8.4m in Canadian donations and $559k in international donations in F2024. Administrative costs are 8% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 20% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 28%. For every dollar donated, 72 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

In F2024 SLF spent $6.4m on its programs, which is 71% of its revenue. In F2024 it had a surplus of $207k.

SLF has $3.2m in reserve funds (cash and investments). Excluding $215k in donor-endowed funds, the net funding reserves can cover 46%, or five months of program costs.

This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to Stephen Lewis Foundation. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 30, 2025, by Grady Simpson.