Geffen Gives $1 Million to AIDS Group for New Office Space : Funding: Gift from record and film producer is the largest ever to the organization. He cites the dramatic increase in the number of cases being handled.

Last September, it took the efforts of dozens of major show business celebrities and corporations to put together a benefit concert that raised about $1 million for AIDS Project Los Angeles.

But in one stroke Monday, music and film producer David Geffen gave APLA $1 million--the largest individual gift the organization has ever received.

It will be used to find new office space for the organization.

“They’re in desperate need of funds for space,” Geffen told The Times, citing a dramatic increase in the number of cases APLA is handling. “I’m simply responding to their needs.”

APLA serves 3,000 clients with its food bank, counseling and home health care programs. Lenny Bloom, APLA chief executive officer, said the number climbs by 200 every month.

Geffen, who is a member of APLA’s board of governors, also gave money several years ago for the group’s current offices. “I know what kind of pressure they’ve been under,” Geffen said. “It keeps getting greater.”

Privately, some in the Los Angeles AIDS services community and in the gay community hard hit by the AIDS epidemic expressed surprise.

In the past, Geffen has been the frequent target of gay activists who denounced some of the acts his firm has backed, such as rock superstars Guns N’ Roses and comedian Andrew Dice Clay, for material that contains sexist, racist and anti-gay comments. And his work on behalf of AIDS causes has not been widely reported.

“What people don’t know is that David is one of the great unsung heroes of the AIDS movement,” said Dr. Arnold Klein, a founding director of the American Foundation for AIDS Research and an associate professor of dermatology at UCLA.

“Without him, there would be no AmFAR,” Klein said. “He’s been supportive of AIDS causes at many levels that have not been noted and he has gotten others to give money.”

Geffen credited the entertainment industry with being “generous” in support of AIDS causes, “but there is a whole world in Los Angeles that is not show business.” He said he hopes his gift will spur donations from a variety of givers.

Geffen’s wealth has been estimated in excess of $880 million by Forbes magazine, and in some circles at more than $1 billion.

Geffen, who now owns Geffen Films Inc., sold his Geffen Records label to MCA for $545 million worth of MCA stock, and when MCA was sold to Matsushita of Japan in December, 1990, Geffen cashed in those shares for $710 million.

He has long been associated with APLA, California’s largest AIDS service organization. Under its $13-million annual budget, the organization offers 20 programs and services.