Although Hofmann did not attend Georgia Tech, his life and work as an architect in Atlanta created a natural link to the Institute. After earning his degree from Rice University in Texas, Hofmann briefly worked in Memphis before settling in Atlanta, where he established a solo residential architecture practice. 

“He really settled in and devoted himself to primarily residential architecture,” Price recalled. “During most of his time in Atlanta, he operated as a solo practitioner. He also did a good bit of traveling and small personal philanthropies.” 

When Hofmann died of AIDS-related complications in 1988, his estate—built from family business assets and real estate holdings—became the foundation’s sole source of funding. “We were never a fundraising organization,” Price emphasized. “Our entire operation was financed by the estate of Kent Richard Hofmann.”

For nearly four decades, the Foundation supported care, education, and research through semiannual grants—usually under $10,000—to grassroots HIV/AIDS agencies across the country. “Our funding was concerned mainly with agencies that did not have larger funding sources,” Price said. “We wanted to support creative programs in serving the HIV/AIDS communities.” 

That commitment to innovation—meeting urgent needs with creativity and empathy—now finds a new life at Georgia Tech, where architecture students are known for applying design thinking to improve human experience. “The Georgia Tech School of Architecture has a very good reputation nationally for turning out innovative architects,” Price said. “We think this is a good transition, going to a place where innovative ideas are being formulated.”

Price, who turns 85 this month, reflected on the Foundation’s journey with gratitude and resolve. “The AIDS and HIV scene from the late ’80s and now are very different,” he said. “We don’t feel the need for the foundation to go on with successors. We’re stepping aside and giving the assets to another institution which we believe will carry out a purpose that Kent was involved in.” 

In doing so, the Foundation’s final act connects two generations of builders—one who designed homes in Atlanta during the height of the AIDS epidemic, and another preparing to shape the built environment for a new century. 

“We hope the scholarships will go to those who exercise original ideas in developing their craft and building the future—residential, commercial, governmental, whatever it may be,” Price said. “We congratulate a new generation and look forward to the contributions they will make to American and world societies.”