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, 71 cents go to the cause, which is inside Ci’s reasonable range. 

Founded in 2003, Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) is a charity that works with local organizations to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS in the 15 countries most affected by the HIV pandemic. SLF partners with organizations led by community members across sub-Saharan Africa. The charity states that Africa is home to 67% of all people living with HIV worldwide. Despite this, Africa has only 3% of the global health workforce. In 13 of the 15 countries SLF operates in, there are fewer than three doctors for every 10,000 people. Stephen Lewis Foundation has five main programs: Grandmothers, Orphans/Vulnerable Children, Support for People Living with HIV and AIDS, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, and LGBTIQ Partners in Pride.

Grandmothers: In F2022, SLF spent $2.6m on its Grandmothers program. This represents 42% of total program spend. Stephen Lewis Foundation’s partners provide healthcare, grief counselling, parenting assistance, leadership training, and income generation. These programs are led by grandmothers in the local area. In F2022, SLF partnered with 22 organizations across seven countries. The charity reports it rebuilt or improved 200 homes. In F2022, 15,599 grandmothers participated in income-generating activities. 40,000 grandmothers received caregiving training, such as parenting while living with HIV and AIDS. SLF reports 165 Grandmother groups are currently active.

Orphans/Vulnerable Children: In F2022, SLF spent $1.8m on its Orphans/Vulnerable Children program. This represents 29% of total program spend. Stephen Lewis Foundation’s partners deliver HIV treatment, care, prevention, and education to youth across sub-Saharan Africa. In F2022, SLF partnered with 57 local organizations. The charity reached 38,000 youth through its peer support groups.

Support for People Living with HIV and AIDS: IN F2022, SLF spent $812k on its Support for People Living with HIV and AIDS program. This represents 13% of total program spend. Stephen Lewis Foundation’s partners provide support to those living with positive HIV. This includes provision of treatment and counselling. With exemplar living conditions, stigma and discrimination of AIDS also decrease. In F2022, over 160,000 people received HIV counselling and testing services. Near 20,000 people tested positive, of that 64% were female.

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: In F2022, SLF spent $561k on its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls program. This represents 9% of total program spend. Stephen Lewis Foundation states that females are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence and HIV. Gender inequalities limit freedom, autonomy, and access to social and economic opportunity. Stephen Lewis Foundation’s partners help females enact their right to take control of their reproductive health, prevent HIV transmission, and live free from violence. In F2022, Stephen Lewis Foundation partnered with 32 organizations. SLF reports that 1,100 women and children escaped violence and accessed shelter.

LGBTIQ Partners in Pride: In F2022, SLF spent $471k on its LGBTIQ Partners in Pride program. This represents 7% of total program spend. Discrimination against LGBTIQ communities create challenging barriers to health and social services. Stephen Lewis Foundation’s partners provide healthcare, counselling, and legal and economic support for LGBTIQ communities. In F2022, SLF partnered with 15 LGBTIQ organizations. Partner organizations provided support for over 40,000 people.

Stephen Lewis Foundation reported an additional $1.8m in program support and initiatives that was not included in international program costs. This represents 22% of total program expenses. 

SLF received $9.0m in Canadian donations and $271k in international donations in F2022. The charity also received $119k in government funding, representing 1% of total revenue.

Fundraising costs are 21% of donations and administrative costs are 8% of total revenues excluding investment income. This results in total overhead spending of 29%. For every dollar donated, 71 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range of overhead spend.

Stephen Lewis Foundation has $2.9m in reserve funds. Of this, $543k is externally endowed. Excluding external endowments, SLF’s reserve funds can cover 29%, or 3.5 months of its annual program costs. This indicates SLF has a high need for funding.

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

Updated on May 30th, 2022 by Liam Chapleau.