Grassroots HIV programs have always faced challenges. But as the COVID-19 crisis exacerbates health disparities, 16 groups led by and for transgender people have received a total of $350,000 in grants to continue their work. This marks the latest round of grants from the TRANScend Community Impact Fund, an initiative launched last fall by pharma giant Gilead Sciences.

The 16 grantees were announced by Destination Tomorrow, an LGBT center in the Bronx that is a grant-making partner in the TRANScend Fund. According to a press release from Destination Tomorrow, the grantees are as follows (not every group includes a city and web link):

“Throughout my many years of service, trans-led organizations have continued to be left behind,” said Asia Lyons, TRANScend program manager for Destination Tomorrow, in the press release. “Not only is this funding critical to allow grassroots trans-led organizations around the country to continue serving the transgender community, but it will help empower transgender leaders around the country.”

“Gilead is proud to partner with Destination Tomorrow as they support grassroots organizations that are working to reduce HIV in the transgender Community, particularly in the midst of this pandemic,” added Diana Oliva, senior manager of advocacy and community engagement at Gilead Sciences. “We should all be looking around us in this moment to see who is in need and asking ourselves what we can do to help.” 

To read about the launch of Gilead’s TRANScend fund, see “9 Ways to Support Transgender Groups Working to End HIV.” For details about funding recipients from November, see “$4.5M in Grants Goes to These 15 Groups Focused on Transgender Health.” And for related news, see “Gilead’s $20M COVID-19 Fund Will Help HIV Nonprofits.”

For more about how HIV intersects the trans community, read the updated POZ Basics titled “HIV and Transgender People.”