Syringe Access Fund FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Syringe Access Fund?

The Syringe Access Fund is a multi-million dollar collaboration of the Levi Strauss Foundation, Tides Foundation, the National AIDS Fund and other private funders to support the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases through funding syringe access programs.
The maximum grant amount is $50,000 per year, for a total of up to $100,000 over two years. These limits apply equally to letters or proposals submitted by consortia or a single group. Groups working collaboratively should submit a single letter of inquiry.
Funding syringe access is a form of harm reduction, a term which refers to various strategies and approaches for reducing the physical and social harms associated with risk-taking behavior. Rather than attempting to ignore this type of behavior (i.e., drug use) altogether, harm reduction strategies acknowledge that risk-taking behavior will persist and address such behavior in order to save lives and prevent disease.

Why is funding syringe access programs important?

Injection drug use accounts for about one-third of all AIDS cases in the United States. HIV is transmitted through sharing contaminated needles and through high-risk sexual behavior with infected injection drug users.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has concluded that reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS among injection drug users requires a comprehensive approach that includes access to substance abuse treatment, community outreach, support services, as well as access to sterile syringes.

What role has the Levi Strauss Foundation had in funding HIV/AIDS programs in the past?

In 1985, the Levi Strauss Foundation became one of the first corporate foundations to address the AIDS epidemic and has given over $27 million in grants since that time to fund AIDS education and prevention programs. Funding for these types of programs will continue. The Levi Strauss Foundation is one of the first corporate foundations to fund syringe access programs to help stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Launching the Syringe Access Fund and focusing on harm reduction has expanded the Levi Strauss Foundation's long-time work on HIV/AIDS issues.
The Levi Strauss Foundation began funding local syringe access programs and providing support to state-level public education policy projects in September 2003.

Why has the Levi Strauss Foundation decided to fund in this area?

Research has shown that increasing access to sterile syringes is an effective approach in preventing the spread of HIV, hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases. Approximately 25% of all new HIV infections, nearly one-third of new AIDS cases (reported in 2001), and over one-third of cumulative AIDS cases (since 1981) are related to injection drug use. The numbers are even more dramatic among women. Since the epidemic began, 57% of all AIDS cases among women in the United States have been attributed directly, or indirectly, to injection drug use.
Syringe exchange has been proven to decrease risky injection behavior by up to 73% and a worldwide survey found that the spread of HIV among IDUs decreased in cities with syringe exchange programs.
Syringe exchange programs provide an important link for injection drug users to public health services, including drug and alcohol treatment services.
Despite their effectiveness, there is limited financial support from public agencies for harm reduction programs.
The Levi Strauss Foundation wants to continue its support of HIV/AIDS prevention by addressing this under-funded issue which is the cause of so many new HIV cases each year.

How will this decision impact other HIV/AIDS programs currently funded by the Levi Strauss Foundation?