Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL) and AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) recently awarded $200,000 to community-based organizations implementing strategies to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.
According to a press release, the pool of grants will support goals and alignment with the statewide plan. Each organization will receive an award from $20,000-$40,000 in addition to workforce training and technical assistance. Six of the seven organizations that received funding are Black- or Latino/a/e/x-led, which demonstrates GTZ-IL and AFC's commitment to racial equity.
The recipients include Christian Community Health Center, the Community Wellness Project, Care2Prevent, Corazon Community Services, Proactive Community Services, the Lighthouse Foundation and the Medical Organization for Latino Advancement.
"Through the GTZ-IL Community Grants, we are supporting the leadership of Black and Latinx individuals at the helm of these vital organizations," said Getting to Zero Senior Manager Christian Castro. "Technical assistance will be implemented in community settings while working in coalition to ensure we meet the goals of eliminating new HIV transmissions, increasing access to PrEP and quality care for people living with HIV."
In May, GTZ-IL and AFC issued its second RFP based on strategies outlined in the Getting to Zero plan. Community based organizations and coalition partners were invited to apply for a pool of grants ranging from $20,000 to $40,000. The review panel, composed of members from GTZ-IL community advisory boards and AFC leaders, reviewed a competitive round of applications while centering racial equity in its selection process.