There may not have been much that was gay about this year's Oscars but after a rough couple of years, Academy of Friends appears to have rebounded.
The San Francisco-based nonprofit, which is known for its ritzy Academy Awards gala that raises funds for HIV/AIDS organizations, had run into trouble after shortchanging charities that helped it put on the annual event in 2010 and 2011.
But changes made by the board and downsizing of staff, combined with an increase in attendance, seemed to have helped stabilize the event. AOF board Chair Howard Edelman estimated that this year's party, held Sunday, February 26, would result in at least $50,000 being distributed among this year's five beneficiaries.
Edelman became board chair in June 2011 and oversaw a scaled down and leaner gala. He noted there had been uncertainty as to whether Academy of Friends would survive.
"It was like Academy of Friends was reborn," he said in an interview Tuesday, February 28. "We went from nothing to creating this great event and showing a lot of people that we still exist and we still can do what we need to do."
This year's partners are Huckleberry Youth Programs, Maitri, Shanti, Tenderloin Health, and the Women's HIV Program at UCSF. Edelman said each group would get a check when AOF has its presentation, which he said would be in late April or early May.
Edelman estimated that over 1,000 people attended the gala, which was themed "Scandalous" and held at the San Francisco Design Center Galleria.
There guests mingled and watched the awards on large screens. Aside from veteran actor Christopher Plummer winning best supporting actor for his portrayal as an older man who comes out as gay in the film Beginners , there wasn't much that was gay in the broadcast as many winners were straight and thanked their husbands or wives. The mostly silent film The Artist took home most major awards, including best picture.
In terms of AOF's fiscal picture, Edelman said that organizers were still reconciling figures and he couldn't provide estimates of proceeds from individual ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and other categories. As of January, the budget for the event was $150,000.
Corporate sponsors and underwriters help pay for the gala, while funds from ticket sales, the auction, and raffle will go to the beneficiaries. Sponsors this year included AT&T, Gold's Gym, and gaytravelbuddy.com.
AOF has contributed more than $8.5 million to Bay Area HIV and AIDS service organizations since it was founded more than 30 years ago by a group of friends at a private home. It went on to become a lavish affair but the recent recession and continuing economic slowdown saw a drastic decrease in donations.
In recent years AOF didn't deliver what partner agencies were expecting. The 11 nonprofits that worked with the agency on the 2010 gala were asked to return for 2011 so AOF could make good on its pledges. All but one of the groups agreed.
AOF had initially said it would distribute a combined $220,000 to the 11 organizations. (The returning groups included the five 2012 partners.)
But in May 2011, AOF representatives told beneficiaries they were backing out of paying what they owed. About $150,000 had remained to be paid.
Since then, AOF's made some changes.
The gala, through sales of raffle tickets, tickets, and other underwriting, used to require that beneficiaries raise 25 percent of their pledged grant.
For this year's gala, AOF asked beneficiaries to provide as much support as they could, but specific requirements weren't made. The nonprofit hasn't made specific total dollar commitments to partners, either.
As usual, this year's money won't be distributed equally among AOF's partners.
There are "a lot of different metrics" involved, Edelman said. For example, the pool may include funds that have been marked for individual agencies from activities such as raffle ticket sales. Some of the money may be distributed before the check presentation.
Edelman said he didn't yet know what would happen with funds for Tenderloin Health. The agency has experienced financial trouble and may close down before AOF's check presentation. Officials connected with Tenderloin Health wouldn't comment for a story about the nonprofit's status, but said a statement would be released soon.