Make A Promise Gala

From the beginning of the HIV epidemic, until we end it – together.

2026 marks 40 years of Vivent Health, and the legacy of AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW), standing at the front lines of the HIV epidemic—delivering care, dignity, and hope for people living with and impacted by HIV in Wisconsin. That’s 40 years of transforming and saving lives. And it’s all because of your generosity, your compassion, and your commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.

As we honor and celebrate the legacy of ARCW, join us to ignite action, build access, and ensure health for all.

Your generosity expands access to care

Net proceeds from Make A Promise directly support the health and well-being of patients in Milwaukee. Through contributions to the Vivent Health Patient Medication Fund and the Dr. Brian P. Buggy Fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, your generosity helps address some of the most pressing challenges affecting our patients’ health — including food insecurity, emergency financial assistance, and medication co-pays. These vital supports help ensure patients receive the care they need, even when those needs fall beyond the reach of traditional funding sources.

The Make A Promise tradition

In 1986, a group of gay men hosted a dinner party in a Milwaukee-area home to raise money for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Their success that night inspired a promise to return the next year with more people, raise more money, and repeat this dinner until a cure for AIDS is found.

This year, in 2026, we come together to celebrate and honor the anniversary of their commitment, the legacy of Vivent Health and the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW), and to reinvigorate our promise to end the HIV epidemic.

For event inquiries please reach out to our events team at [email protected]