29 Organizations Fighting HIV Stigma in 13 Southern States Awarded $2.9 Million in New Phase of Gilead COMPASS Initiative®

Today we introduced the 2021 Transformative Grant Partners! These 29 organizations will receive $2,900,000 to combat the spread of HIV in the South. The new round of Transformative Grant Partners will expand the initiative to include Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky with a specific focus on addressing HIV in rural communities. Organizations combating HIV in 13 states are receiving funding.

“The Gilead COMPASS initiative has impacted thousands of lives across the south and we’re so excited to see the advancements that this new round of grantees will make,” said Kia Colbert, Director of the COMPASS Program at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. “We are proud to kick off our 2021 grantee partnership to support organizations as they empower new leaders, reach members of their communities, and improve their capacity to care for people living with or affected by HIV.

“The COMPASS Initiative is dedicated to combating stigma around HIV, improving access to quality care, and increasing leadership and advocacy across the Southern United States,” said Brett Pletcher, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Gilead Sciences. “We are grateful to the COMPASS Coordinating Centers for their impactful work, and we are hopeful that this new phase of support will enable additional community organizations to help end the HIV epidemic in the region.”

Over the next 18 months, we look forward to working together to reducing the burden of HIV in the South, changing the conversation, saving lives, and eventually ending the epidemic once and for all!

University of Houston SUSTAIN Coordinating Center Partners:

Transinclusive Group, Inc., Pembrooke, FL
The Vision Community Foundation, Atlanta, GA
Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services, Columbia, SC
Capitol Area Reentry Program, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
CareFirst Foundation, Inc., Miami, FL