History

Endowed in 1995 by Dr. Garry P. Bergeron, Red Ribbon Charitable Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to protecting future generations from HIV and AIDS. Red Ribbon Charitable Foundation is a not-for-profit Florida corporation, eligible for income tax-exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Although Red Ribbon is based in Pensacola, Florida, the foundation raises and provides funds for activities in the four counties that comprise the Florida Department of Health (DOH) Area One: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton. But Red Ribbon's scope also includes partnering with other local, regional, and national organizations that seek to care for persons affected by HIV and AIDS and to prevent the spread of HIV. Red Ribbon does not operate programs itself; rather, Red Ribbon funds community initiatives.

Since its inception, Red Ribbon has targeted its resources to maximize efforts in Area One to improve the quality of life for persons living with or affected by HIV. We also work diligently to reduce the stigma associated with HIV and to support the most effective educational and testing efforts available. We work closely with the DOH Area One HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator to ensure that Red Ribbon’s funding supplements federal Ryan White Care Funds and DOH prevention funds, increasing both our synergy and efficiency. To this end, Red Ribbon’s Executive Director actively participates in both the Northwest Florida AIDS Consortium (NoFLAC) and the Community HIV Prevention Partnership. We actively foster collaboration among all community-based organizations, realizing that it truly takes the collective effort of us ALL to do the work needed to “protect future generations from HIV.”