Fighting HIV can work up an appetite. Luckily, the Dining Out for Life events allow you to raise funds for your local HIV service providers while enjoying a tasty meal.
The annual HIV fundraising event Dining Out For Life (#DOFL) kicks off in nearly 20 cities and regions around the nation the last two Thursdays in April—that’s April 23 and April 30 this year—with numerous other cities and regions holding events on different dates throughout the year.
The concept behind Dining Out For Life is simple: Participating restaurants donate a generous percent of their sales from that day to a local HIV service organization. In turn, the local HIV service organization and its supporters fill participating restaurants with diners. Win-win!
The events offer opportunities to raise awareness, education and, of course, much-needed funding (especially in today’s political and economic environment). They also build community and wonderful memories.
The efforts do pay off. Dining Out For Life events in Denver, for example, have brought in $310,780 for Project Angel Heart—a fundraising record for the national event. Minneapolis restaurants have raised $261,680 for Aliveness Project, and in North Carolina, participants over the years have brought in $256,377 for Western North Carolina AIDS Project – Ashville.
Visit DiningOutForLife.com to find your city and participating restaurants and to learn about the local HIV service provider being supported.
Just one example: Nashville, Tennessee, marks its 24th annual Dining Out For Life this year on April 30. A whopping 40 restaurants are participating, including chef Margot McCormack’s Margot Café & Bar, a beloved eatery in East Nashville—if you’re in the neighborhood, now’s a great excuse to stop by because the restaurant will be closing in June after nearly 25 years, including 24 years supporting Dining Out For Life.
Here’s a brief rundown of cities, regions and states participating in upcoming weeks, as they’re listed on DiningOutForLife.com.
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Tampa Bay, Florida
- Denver/Boulder/Colorado Springs/Pueblo, Colorado
- Greater Palm Springs, Florida
- North San Diego County, California
- San Diego, California
- Chicago, Illinois
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026
- Washington, DC
- Northeastern New York
- South Sound, Washington
- Western New York
- Cape Coral/Fort Meyers, Florida
- Minnesota
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Charlestown, South Carolina
- Indianapolis, Indiana
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026
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“Each year,” according to DiningOutForLife.com, “more than 50 local HIV service organizations partner with 2,400+ participating restaurants, 4,100+ volunteers, and 300,000+ diners to raise over $4.5 million for people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and Canada. Best part? All funds raised through a city’s Dining Out For Life event stay in that city to provide help and hope to people living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS.”
