USA: Macy’s raises more than 1 million for the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) announced today that Macy's Fashion Pass has raised $1.1 million for the organization. The funding will be granted to over one hundred nonprofits supporting people living with and affected by HIV across the country, including organizations providing HIV prevention, education, and advocacy programs.

"Our team is always working to find simple and worthwhile ways for our customers to support meaningful philanthropic efforts," said Holly Thomas, Macy's group vice president of Cause Marketing. "From understanding the products that our shoppers are looking for to the causes that they care most about, Macy's goals are brought to life when we give back in our local communities."

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Macy's have a long history of partnership in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Elizabeth Taylor was Founding Chair of Macy's Passport Glamorama, an awareness raising fashion show and gala event which began in 1982 and continued for thirty years. Since the onset of the AIDS pandemic, Macy's has stood with top designers and community organizations to raise millions of dollars as well as invaluable HIV/AIDS awareness.

"To recognize Macy's for their ongoing support for The Elizabeth AIDS Foundation, our cause, and our founder," said ETAF's Managing Director, Joel Goldman, "ETAF will present the company with the first annual outstanding partner award—The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Dr. Michael Gottlieb Award." The award is named after Elizabeth Taylor's first partner in the fight against AIDS, Dr. Michael Gottlieb. In 1985, Dr. Mathilde Krim joined the two to co-found amfAR, after the passing of Elizabeth Taylor's dear friend and Dr. Gottlieb's patient, actor Rock Hudson.

The Wall Las Memorias Project, a community health and wellness organization dedicated to serving Latino, LGBT and other underserved populations and past Fashion Pass grant recipient shared their testimonial about the impact these funds have on their community. "For nearly 23 years, we have worked to help eradicate stigma, bigotry and create a safer place in the Latino community of Los Angeles for dialogue around HIV prevention and awareness. As a prominent community grassroots organization, The Wall Las Memorias Project is honored to have partnered with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Macy's to provide valuable resources to help end new HIV infections in our community. It is through partnerships like those, that our community is able to rise above social injustices and improve the health and wellness of its people."

The organizations across the country receiving 2016 Fashion Pass grants will be awarded before the end of the year.

About The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation:

Elizabeth Taylor established The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in 1991 to support organizations delivering direct care and services to people living with HIV and AIDS, especially the most marginalized communities. Today, ETAF also provides grants for innovative HIV prevention education and advocacy programs to existing organizations around the world. With key domestic advocacy funding focuses on comprehensive sexual health education and HIV criminalization reform, ETAF continues to bring the marginalized to the center of attention and advocate for their rights.

About Macy's:                                                                                                            
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at 734 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy's offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy's flagship stores -- including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, and Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California -- are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $69 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.