Aidspan (www.aidspan.org) is an independent watchdog of the Global Fund. Aidspan monitors, critiques and explains the Global Fund, with the objective of increasing the effectiveness of the Fund and of the implementers of its grants. Aidspan has a reputation in the Global Fund community for producing clear, succinct, independent writing.
Aidspan is a US-registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation licensed to work in Kenya. It is financed through grants from governments, foundations and corporations. Aidspan does not charge for any of its products or services, nor does it accept funding of any kind from the Global Fund. Donors and the Global Fund have no influence on the content of Aidspan’s publications. Aidspan’s budget for 2013 is just under $2 million.
Aidspan’s impact is larger than its staff size and budget suggests. The Global Fund spends about $3 billion annually, and it estimates that over the last decade, its grants have led to 9 million lives being saved. If Aidspan can cause the Global Fund to raise 1% more money, or to have 1% more impact with the money it spends, it will have made a massive contribution.