amfAR Raises $3.1 Million at Inaugural Dallas Gala

Taylor Sheridan and Gene and Jerry Jones Family Honored

Diana Ross Headlined

PHOTO LINK HERE: Press Release Photos

Dallas, Texas, October 6, 2025 — amfAR held its inaugural amfAR Dallas fundraising gala on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the home of generous supporters Kathleen and Scott Kirby. The event raised $3.1 million in support of amfAR’s lifesaving biomedical research programs and featured award presentations to honorees Taylor Sheridan and the Gene and Jerry Jones Family, as well as a headline performance by the legendary Diana Ross and a performance by Parson James.

After a dynamic opening set by Parson James, amfAR Dallas host, actress Teri Hatcher, kicked off the night highlighting the value of amfAR’s research: “The fact is, all of our lives have been vastly improved and our lifespans increased by biomedical research… HIV research benefits all of us,” Hatcher said. “Today, HIV is, for many millions of people, a virus that can be effectively managed with a simple regimen of medication.” She pointed to amfAR’s four decades of critical research, with grants awarded to more than 3,800 teams of researchers worldwide.

The evening continued as Kathleen and Scott Kirby emphasized the urgent need for innovative HIV research, stressing its importance for Dallas, where more than 20,000 people are currently living with HIV. amfAR Board Co-Chairs T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy saluted Dallas’s many years of support for amfAR’s mission: “This community has rallied behind us for 25 years now, raising more than $65 million for our work,” they said.

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki then presented the Gene and Jerry Jones Family with amfAR’s Philanthropic Leadership Award, praising their impact in Dallas and beyond and saying “we are all better off having the Joneses as part of our community.” Haley Anderson, Caroline Jones Moldawer, Chambers Jones, Jessica Donnell, and Jordan Jones Munoz accepted the award for the Jones Family. “Seeing the difference that amfAR can make in people’s lives has been a powerful reminder of the importance of giving back,” Donnell said. “It’s a lesson we learned early from our grandparents and parents and one that we will pass down to our next generation.”

Actress and longtime amfAR supporter Nicole Kidman presented Taylor Sheridan with amfAR’s Award of Inspiration. Kidman said of Sheridan, “I think what Taylor recognizes—as we all do—is that we are more alike than we are different, and that we’re better when we look out for one another. What better way to support, to elevate our common humanity than to help fund bold and innovative research. amfAR’s research is not just AIDS research. In so many ways it benefits us all.”

Accepting his award, Sheridan urged: “If you are fortunate enough to have been diligent in your own lives and ambitious and you garnered some success at some point, it means nothing if you don’t find a way to give back,” Sheridan said. “All it takes is people coming together and giving a little money, and then you can go find cures and you can find change.”

A highlight of the night was when Taylor surprised guests with two auction lots that included a set visit, walk-on role, and a meet-and-greet with the cast from one of his iconic shows.

The inimitable Diana Ross brought the night to an exciting close with performances of her iconic hits “I’m Coming Out” and “More Today Than Yesterday,” and ending with a medley of “Baby Love,” “Can’t Hurry Love,” “Come See About Me,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.”

The evening’s Signature Sponsor was REZA. The event was generously supported by Flecha Azul, Nolet Spirits, PaperCity, Skywalker Vineyards, and Veuve Clicquot.

About amfAR
amfAR The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has raised nearly $950 million in support of its programs and has awarded more than 3,800 grants to research teams worldwide.

Media contacts:
Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director, Communications bennah.serfaty@amfar.org

Melissa Rubenstein, Media Relations Associate melissa.rubenstein@amfar.org