On 25 April 1984, a group of concerned individuals came together with the aim of helping the people in the design industry who have been afflicted with a then-mysterious disease, HIV/AIDS. And thus was born DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, one of the United States’ largest supporters of organizations that provide direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS as well as preventive education for people at risk of it.

The non-profit organization adopts a three-pronged approach in its mission:
  • Direct care and treatment services for people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS;
  • Preventive education programs for at-risk populations; and
  • Public policy initiatives designed to add resources to the private sector’s programs
DIFFA’s supporters usually come from the fields of visual arts and fine design including fashion design, architecture, interior design, consumer product design, and photography. The organization’s fundraising efforts have resulted in millions of dollars in donations that, in turn, have been granted to hundreds of HIV/AIDS service organizations across the country.