On September 7, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) will host its fifth annual summer soiree and fundraiser, Picnic By Design®. This year’s event will be held at the Mercantile Annex in midtown, and will feature one-of-a-kind picnic baskets created by some of New York City’s top tastemakers. More than 200 designers, manufacturers and artists are expected to gather for a festive evening, while bidding on picnic baskets and enjoying gourmet picnic fare and specialty cocktails to support DIFFA’s work to fight HIV/AIDS.

“This event grows each year and continues to serve as a platform for young and emerging designers to raise awareness for the cause while celebrating epic design,” said Dawn Roberson, Director of Special Events at DIFFA.

Now in its 5th year in New York City, Picnic by Design celebrates creative expression while raising funds and engaging designers in DIFFA’s mission to further the fight against HIV/AIDS. Proceeds support DIFFA’s grants to HIV/AIDS direct service organizations and programs in New York City and across the country. Guests will view and bid on more than 20 specialty baskets, filled with key picnic essentials and gadgets. Some of this year’s basket designers include: Antoinette Loupe Interiors, KWG Design, Mee Tran + Phuong Huyn, MoDmade NY, Stacy Garcia, FXFOWLE, VDA Designs, Wills Design Associates, and Stantec Architecture.

“We are thrilled to have the support of so many exceptional individuals and companies who donate their time and talents to DIFFA to make this event truly unique. Picnic By Design allows us to engage new and old supporters in a more casual environment, while showcasing top designs all in efforts to further our mission,” said Johanna Osburn, Executive Director at DIFFA.

Current Picnic By Design sponsors include Bolon, Blanco, Interior Design, Canard Inc., Murray’s Cheese, Corralejo Tequila and Cliffton Dry. For more information on sponsorship opportunities contact Dawn Roberson at droberson@diffa.org.

Tickets are now available at picnicbydesign.splashthat.com for $125, with prices increasing to $150 on August 25. Visit www.diffa.org to sign up for exclusive event updates.

For real-time information and inspiring images, follow DIFFA on Facebook (@diffanational), Twitter (@diffanational) and Instagram (@diffanational). The official hashtag for the event is #picnicbydesign.

About DIFFA:
DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises awareness and grants funds to organizations that fight HIV/AIDS by providing treatment and direct care services for people living with or impacted by the disease, offering preventative education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection, or supporting public policy initiatives. DIFFA is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the United States, mobilizing the immense resources and creativity of the design community. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has emerged from a grassroots organization into a national foundation based in New York City with chapters and community partners across the country that, working together, have provided more than $41 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. www.diffa.org.