I. AIDS

AIDS remains a significant concern of the Ittleson Foundation. Our commitment to supporting cutting-edge prevention efforts remains strong. As in all our current areas of interest, innovative initiatives that involve more than one program area are encouraged.

We are particularly interested in new model, pilot, and demonstration efforts:

- addressing the needs of underserved at-risk populations and especially those programs recognizing the overlap between such programs

- responding to the challenges facing community-based AIDS service organizations and those organizations addressing systemic change

- providing meaningful school-based sex education

- making treatment information accessible, available and easily understandable to those in need of it

- addressing the psycho-social needs of those infected and affected by AIDS, especially adolescents

The Ittleson Foundation supports innovative pilot, model and demonstration projects that will help move individuals, communities, and organizations from environmental awareness to environmental activism by changing attitudes and behaviors.

We particularly seek to encourage and nurture environmental action through:

- supporting the present generation of environmental activists, whether professionals or volunteers through education, training and other activities

- educating and engaging the next generation of environmentalists with a special interest in supporting the training of those who are teaching that generation

- strengthening the infrastructure of the environmental movement with a particular focus on efforts at the grassroots and statewide levels

- activating new constituencies, particularly those focused on environmental equity issues

Since 1932 Mental Health has been a major focus at the Ittleson Foundation. The Foundation continues its commitment to bringing its "venture capital" approach to philanthropy to this area. In addition to our historic commitment to addressing the needs of underserved populations, we are particularly interested in innovative, pilot, model and demonstration projects that are:

- fighting the stigma associated with mental illness and working to change the public's negative perception of people who have mental illness

- utilizing new knowledge and current technological advances to improve programs and services for people who have mental illness

- bringing the full benefits of this new knowledge and technology to those who presently do not have access to them

- advancing preventative mental health efforts, especially those targeted to youth and adolescents, with a special focus on strategies that involve parents, teachers, and others in close contact with these populations