Why does the COMPASS Initiative focus on the Southern US?
The Southern U.S. is home to 37% of the country’s population but accounts for 44% of all those living with HIV. The region also includes 21 of the 25 metropolitan areas with the highest HIV prevalence among same gender loving and bisexual men. Additionally, the Southern U.S. accounts for 52% of all new HIV diagnoses, making it the most affected region in the entire country. 

What are the different types of Community Investments made by the COMPASS Initiative?
The COMPASS Coordinating Centers provide trainings, grants, and shared learning opportunities to organizations in the Southern United States to support the development of programs and activities that align with our programmatic focus areas. You can read more about our programmatic focus areas here .

Who is eligible to apply for the different types of Community Investment?
Currently, the Coordinating Centers will target their work across the nine-state Deep South region – Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas – providing community grants, shared learning opportunities , and trainings to organizations in the region. To be eligible for the different types of community investments, organizations must be located in and doing work in one of the nine Deep South states and be a non-profit, tax-exempt organization as set forth in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If your organization does not hold 501(c)(3) status, you must have a fiscal sponsor to apply.

How can I receive updates about the COMPASS Initiative?
Subscribe for email updates about the work the COMPASS Initiative is doing in the South, for new community investment and funding announcements, and to find out about new features available on our website and in the COMPASS Community Portal.

Are there plans to expand COMPASS to other cities/regions?
COMPASS will focus on the Southern U.S. at present, with future plans to be determined.