In 1988, the AIDS Action Coalition began offering support to those in the community living with HIV/AIDS. Services were provided by volunteers and included such simple acts as bringing a client dinner or helping with a rent or mortgage payment. Money for this support came from donations given by people in the community with a willingness to help. Today, the AAC is a nonprofit with a $2.3 million budget, providing medical care and support services to anyone living with HIV/AIDS in the 12 counties of North Alabama. The clinic is partially funded through the Ryan White Care Act and state supported grants, but with the number of HIV-positive individuals increasing rapidly in the South, the AAC finds itself depending more and more on the generous donations of its community as it continues to treat those living with this disease.

National Episcopal AIDS Coalition (NEAC) formed in 1988 in response to those in church who are living with HIV and the community of those affected by AIDS.