Supporting Health,
Stopping HIV
The CARES Foundation provides grants and leadership to empower communities to enhance HIV prevention, care, and awareness across the Sacramento region.
PLEASE NOTE: The 2028 grant application cycle will open on May 1, 2027, at which time the Letters of Intent (LOIs) will be made available and will be due at the end of May. IN ADDITION: The 2028 grant application cycle timeline will be uploaded to this website as soon as all of the dates have been scheduled. The 2028 grant application cycle timeline will be uploaded to this website as soon as all of the dates have been scheduled.
Supporting HIV Prevention
We fund programs that focus on HIV prevention strategies, including syringe exchange, condom distribution, Pre and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) education.
Bridging Gaps in HIV Care
We address unreimbursed gaps in supportive services to ensure people living with HIV remain in continuous care.
The CARES Foundation
About Us
The CARES Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides grants and leadership to agencies in California’s Northern Central Valley/ Sacramento region that serve the needs of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), prevent the transmission of HIV, and raise social awareness to end discrimination and stigma against those living with or at increased risk of contracting HIV. These grants may include funds for general support or for specific programs.
Unlike other chronic diseases, HIV is unique in the need to not only care for the patient, but to do everything possible to prevent transmission to others. Finding those infected with HIV also means that early detection through HIV testing and referral to care is one of the CARES Foundation’s major funding priorities. Since its inception in 2011 through 2024, the CARES Foundation has awarded 115 grants, totaling over $15M, to 20 agencies throughout the Sacramento region to address our strategic funding priorities.
Commitment to the Community
One aspect of the CARES Foundation’s commitment is to provide grants designed to partner with and support community organizations. These agencies do the hard work with expertise, empathy, and compassion for all, particularly for the most disadvantaged and isolated members of our Northern California communities.
Since its inception in 2011, the Foundation has awarded 114 grants, totaling over $13.5M, to support 19 agencies to address our strategic funding priorities which include: 1) HIV prevention, 2) Filling Unreimbursed Gaps in Supportive Services to keep People Living with HIV (PLWH) in care, 3) HIV testing with Linkage to Care, and 4) Innovative Projects that address the impact of HIV in the Sacramento region.
2024 Grantee Spotlight
Safer Alternatives Through Networking and Education
Safer Alternatives through Networking and Education (SANE) is a community-based harm reduction organization serving the Sacramento region. SANE was founded in 1993 in response to the rising HIV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID). SANE continues to combat disease transmission through a needs-based syringe exchange and HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) testing with linkage to care. Additionally, SANE operates a successful low-barrier treatment program with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), a program initially funded by The CARES Foundation. SANE strategies include peer-driven design, implementation, and evaluation of services that respect and prioritize involvement of PWID in prevention activities.
2024 Accomplishments Supported by CARES Foundation Grant
Safer Alternatives through Networking and Education is located in the heart of Old North Sacramento where it has become a health promotion hub for persons who use drugs, persons experiencing homelessness and members of the broader community. With the support of The CARES Foundation SANE has operated a free HIV and HCV testing clinic since 2022, and in 2024, SANE tested 266 persons at high-risk for HIV providing warm hand-offs to partnering organizations for follow-up care. SANE is dedicated to keeping HIV and HCV awareness and prevention alive among persons who use drugs and their partners.
SANE’s harm reduction services have continued to grow year after year. In 2024 SANE had 20,685 service encounters, which included supply distribution and prevention education. In response to the overdose crisis, SANE distributed 19,224 doses of naloxone and reported 2,098 overdose reversals by participants. In addition to on-site services, SANE offers mobile delivery, and conducts street-based outreach across Sacramento County. SANE meets vulnerable persons where they are at, with stigma-free support and health promotion.
2025 Grantee Spotlight
2025 Annual Grantee Accomplishments and Impact
Since the CARES Foundation has been granting funds over the last 14 years, it has awarded over $17M through 124 grants to 19 Grantees. In 2025, 9 agencies were granted over $1.4M to provide HIV prevention, treatment and support services to a variety of vulnerable and underserved populations throughout the Sacramento Region. A summary of each program’s accomplishments and populations of focus follows. For cumulative outcomes across 2025 grants, please contact Lili Carbone Joy, who provides grants management support to the Foundation at lcjcs@sbcglobal.net.
Recent News
The CARES Foundation Awards One Community Health as Grantee Spotlight for 2025
Dr. Meyers Accepts Partner of the Year Award on Behalf of the Cares Foundation
2025 Grantees: Summary of Accomplishments
Join the Fight
The CARES Foundation will not end its efforts until the HIV epidemic itself has ended. Join us.
