DIFFA's dining by design

Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is a foundation which provides grants for nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. One of its many chapters is in San Francisco, and the funds raised go to UCSF’s HIV Clinic at Ward 86 at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

Since 2002, the DIFFA SF Chapter has been raising funds through donations and special events, such as Dining by Design. We participated in this special event both in 2010 and 2012. As designers, we have volunteered our time to design the space and the experience of dining with a message. We have funded our own materials through donations or otherwise to create these dining experiences for the attendees. 

Our theme for 2010 was "AIDS does not discriminate". We collaborated with our friend and colleague, Shari Steele to create an experience where the diners were reminded of the widespread potential of the disease.

In 2012, we wanted to create a calm and quiet feeling in our space with the message that while it is a dark experience to have this disease, there is hope and light with the help of others. 

We enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to this cause and are proud that we helped get the message out there and raise funds for the foundation.