3 Decades On, Elton John Reflects On His Philanthropic Legacy

Music icon Elton John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 to eradicate AIDS, prevent HIV, and destigmatize the LGBTQ+ community. The foundation is now among the world’s largest funders of efforts to treat and prevent HIV. Since its inception, the foundation has raised more than $650 million in support of programs across 102 countries. John’s husband, David Furnish, has been an instrumental partner in this work and is chair of the foundation’s board.

The last three decades have seen extraordinary achievements in the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. A standout is PrEP — a medication, usually taken as a daily pill, that can nearly eliminate the risk of contracting HIV from sex. The Elton John AIDS Foundation has worked to expand access to the drug. PrEP has recently been developed as an injection, requiring as few as two shots a year. The foundation is working to raise $200 million, in part to broaden access to injectable PrEP in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda.

More than three decades into the fight, John and Furnish reflect on the progress made and the roadblocks that remain. 

Chronicle: Why has philanthropy been such an important part of both of your lives? 

Elton John: I lost so many friends to AIDS in the ’80s and ’90s — brilliant, beautiful people who deserved so much more time. The Foundation became my way of channeling grief into action. 

David Furnish: It’s given our lives deeper purpose and connected us to something far greater than ourselves. For me, philanthropy is about responsibility — using our voices to drive real change. 

Chronicle: What brings you hope in the fight against HIV and AIDS? 

John: The younger generation. They refuse to accept stigma or inequality. They’re bold, creative, and won’t look away. That energy keeps me optimistic. 

Furnish: Science. We have tools that work, like long-acting injectable PrEP requiring just two injections yearly. Hope isn’t passive for us; it’s action. We’re still very much in the fight. 

Chronicle: In 2025, the Trump administration cut billions of dollars in aid to global HIV/AIDS programs. A year on from those cuts, how have they affected the foundation’s grantees and mission? 

Furnish: We launched the Rocket Response Fund immediately to protect at-risk programs and stand by our partners. A year later, we’re focused on adapting alongside them to ensure our work is not only sustained but scaled. 

Unfortunately, cuts have come from every major donor, not just the U.S. Progress against HIV transmissions that took decades of fight and sacrifice to achieve could be wiped out in a fraction of the time.   

As always, the biggest risks fall on marginalized and excluded groups. We’re particularly worried about the LGBTQ+ community in places where they are criminalized. 

John: For the younger generation, in particular, HIV prevention and treatment should be their birthright. Denying them access isn’t neglect — it’s theft. 

Chronicle: To help close those funding gaps, the foundation increased the fundraising goal for its Rocket Fund from $125 million to $200 million. Tell us about some of the work the Rocket Fund has financed in the last year. 

Furnish: Through partner organizations, we are providing young women in sub-Saharan Africa with health information and services and products like condoms and menstrual pads. We have supported LGBTQ+ communities there and are delivering antiretroviral drugs to remote areas using Zipline’s autonomous drones. We’re also funding distribution of injectable PrEP — a breakthrough that will bend the curve of HIV infections. 

Chronicle: Given the severe cuts to government aid, how can philanthropy best use its limited resources to make an impact? 

Furnish: Be strategic and bold. We can’t replace government funding dollar-for-dollar, but we can take risks, move quickly, and fund overlooked communities. 

John: It’s vital that we don’t walk back our support of the LGBTQ+ community. It emboldens governments to roll back rights and puts lives at risk. We should be using our voice to argue that equality isn’t optional — it is the backbone of stability, growth, and health security. 

Chronicle: What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your charity work?

John: Patience and persistence. Real change takes time. 

Furnish: Impact scales through partnership, not isolation. That’s where magic happens. 

Chronicle: What have you learned about how to effectively use your celebrity status to raise money and advocate for a cause? Are there any disadvantages to fundraising as a celebrity? 

Furnish: The advantage is, of course, access. Doors open easier and messages spread quickly. But it can overshadow the work itself. We keep the focus on ending HIV/AIDS, not on us. 

Chronicle: What do you wish more people understood about philanthropy? 

John: It’s about leveling a rigged playing field. We’re asking for justice; it’s that simple. 

Furnish: Everyone has something to give. Some of the most impactful work comes from grassroots movements with tiny budgets but enormous heart. 

Chronicle: Many people would avoid working professionally with their spouse. What makes your professional collaboration successful? 

Furnish: We respect each other’s strengths. Elton’s brilliant at rallying people. I focus on operations and strategy. We complement each other. 

John: The Foundation is central to our partnership in life and work. We drop all ego.

Chronicle: What advice would you give to your peers leading foundations right now? 

John: Don’t play it safe. This moment demands courage. 

Furnish: Build coalitions and be bold. We can’t look away. 

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity from written responses to questions.