The Red Dress Ball Has Its Last Dance

The final edition of the beloved fundraiser took in $60,000 and has raised close to $400,000 since its inception, the proceeds of which have supported a variety of local HIV charities…

Photos by John Richard Allan

On Saturday, April 12, The Red Dress Ball, one of Toronto’s most dynamic grassroots fundraisers, brought the community together for one last bash in support of people living with HIV. This year’s gala – the foundation’s last – marked the eighth anniversary and featured an electrifying entertainment lineup. DJ Kitty Glitter helped anchor the event’s message: that no one living with HIV should face stigma or isolation.

This year’s event – at Toronto’s legendary El Mocambo – wasn’t just another night out: it was an evening that united art, community and action in support of people living with or at risk of HIV. 

As Canada marks nearly five decades since the start of the HIV epidemic, the need for stigma-free, community-driven support remains urgent. The Red Dress Ball Foundation, a volunteer-led non-profit, which has been backed throughout the years by ViiV Healthcare, which has been a headline sponsor of the Red Dress Ball since its first iteration and has played a crucial role in helping local organizations deliver critical care and resources to people impacted by HIV.

“As we face rising HIV rates across Canada, grassroots initiatives like The Red Dress Ball play a crucial role in raising awareness and support,” says Raphael Hebert, General Manager of ViiV Healthcare Canada. “This event fosters solidarity, strengthens connections, and ensures the voices of those affected remain central in the national conversation. We are proud to continue our support.”

Although the ball won’t continue in its current form, there is hope that the brand and concept will stay alive for years to come, says Matt Hyams, Director of The Red Dress Ball Foundation.

“Considering we’ve built this from nothing, there’s much to celebrate in terms of achievements,” Hyams says. “This year, we raised about $60,000 all-in, but over eight editions, we’ve raised close to $400,000, the proceeds of which have supported a variety of local HIV charities over the years, predominantly PWA Toronto.”

About The Red Dress Ball

Based in Toronto, The Red Dress Ball Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 2018 with the mission of creating ongoing awareness and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Interestingly, The Red Dress Ball Foundation got its start as a fundraiser for the Friends for Life Bike Rally,the yearly 600km, 6 day ride from Toronto to Montreal that brings people together to raise vital funds for a variety of local AIDS Service Organizations.

“The Red Dress Ball has always been a collaboration that started with our experience on the Friends for Life Bike Rally,” says Hyams. “On the rally, one day is set aside for all the riders to dress in red, as they make their journey to Kingston, the halfway point to Montreal. Barrett Morrison [Director, Production & Decor] came up with the idea to turn it into a bigger occasion to re-wear those special red creations, and together with Brandon Hamilton [Talent & Run of Show] and myself, we brought our skills and networks together and turned it into the biggest opportunity we could to contribute back to the Rally and PWA.”

From its inception the Toronto-based non-profit dedicated itself to raising awareness and much-needed funds to help people living with, or at risk of HIV/AIDS. Their fundraising initiatives have had a direct impact in supporting organizations that provide vital HIV/AIDS services to the community and assist with advocacy efforts and the fight to end HIV/AIDS.

The eighth and final edition

Sadly, the eighth annual Red Dress Ball was the final edition in its current format. “The reality is that The Red Dress Ball has always been grass roots: it’s completely volunteer run from the top down, and despite many formats over the years – in-person, virtual, different venues – it’s always a challenge on our friendships and network to piece together this creation, and of course to fund it appropriately with sponsors,” says Hyams. “This reality has only gotten harder over the years: as larger corporate sponsors shift to national strategies or, even worse, categorize events like ours as ‘DEI,’ it’s getting harder and harder to make the sponsorship we have stretch to meet expenses that have gone up as much as 30 to 40 per cent since the pandemic.”

It’s a trend that is becoming all too real among numerous grassroots organizations across the country.

“The geo-political realities of the world we live in are changing. We cannot emphasize enough that through awareness and access, we have all the tools needed to end HIV in Canada…yet we haven’t,” says Hyams. “In fact, we’re going backwards. This is not a gay or a straight issue – this is an issue with complacency. If you’ve supported The Red Dress Ball in the past, consider how you can keep that giving going: from charities that impact and support the day-to-day lives of people living with HIV, to non-profits undertaking research and policy change that could render an end to HIV in our lifetime. We urge you to keep making a philanthropic difference, because the people that you love in our community are depending on it.”

The Red Dress Ball may have wrapped up, but they will be staying active on Instagram, at @thereddressball. They can also be found online at www.thereddressball.ca, where you will find more information about the Ball, as well as photos and videos from prior events. 

To learn more about ViiV Healthcare Canada, visit www.viivhealthcare.ca.