The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is pleased to announce its plan to provide Taskforce Prevention and Community Services (Taskforce) and Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus (CBGMC) with development grants and support in long-term strategic planning. As a result of these Capacity Building Assistance (CBA) partnerships, both Taskforce and CBGMC will be able to continue their daily operations while also increasing their capacity to serve the HIV community. The organizations serve Black gay and bisexual men and transgender women, populations that are highly vulnerable to HIV. Of new HIV cases in Chicago, 1 in 2 are among African Americans and 3 in 4 are among gay and bisexual men. Erik Glenn, executive director of CBGMC, noted, “Through this [assistance], the Caucus will be able to connect greater numbers of Black gay, bisexual and same-gender-loving men to accessible, high-impact health services.”

Primarily, these CBA partnerships will give both Taskforce and CBGMC the necessary tools to find crucial funding opportunities and build new partnerships with other community organizations in order to expand their ability to serve their respective communities. “Partnering with Taskforce and CBGMC will allow AFC staff to work closely with both organizations to ensure that every effort is made to increase the success of their work for the Chicago HIV community,” said AFC President/CEO John Peller. AFC’s partnership with Taskforce will be from June 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2015 and with CBGMC from Sept. 1, 2015 through Aug. 31, 2016.