Today, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) is excited to announce the fourth cohort of the Learning Circle Collaborative (LLC) awardees inducted into the capacity building and technical assistance program (CBA). Grant funds will be used to support organizational infrastructure, leadership development, systemic capacity building and the delivery of culturally responsive community vaccine awareness strategies.  

A collection of grants totaling $72,000 was awarded to eight, Black- or Latinx-led organizations across the city of Chicago. Each organization will receive a one-time award of up to $10,000 for participating in the LCC to build leadership and organizational infrastructure.  

A portion of the funds will go towards achieving the following core objectives:

  • Increase capacity for fundraising and board development; 

  • Develop and facilitate effective communication strategies; 

  • Develop and institute strategic planning processes; 

  • Expand access of community COVID vaccine information and program resources that specifically address the needs of youth, cisgender and transgender Black women and Black gay, bisexual, and same-gender loving men.  

“AFC is thrilled to support the continuance and enhancement of the Learning Circle Collaborative CBA Program, thanks to our donors, funders, and staff,” said AFC President/CEO John Peller. “We know that partnerships and organizational development are critical to helping us get to zero and to stem the tide of COVID in priority populations and communities. These grants will provide resources and capacity building to organizations on the front lines of the HIV epidemic, in the fight for racial and health equity, and our plan to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois. We’re particularly grateful for the support of Gilead Sciences and the CDC Foundation for the Learning Collaborative and the vaccine community awareness program support.” 

AFC and LCC CBA programs selected 8 agencies that are Black- or Latinx-led through a responsive grant process. The 2021 -22 Awardees are the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, Global Girls Inc., Life is Work, Lighthouse Foundation,  Lorde, Rustin & Bates, Proactive Community Services, Project Vida, and Taskforce Prevention & Community Services. 

 “We are especially grateful to the LCC expert consultants and Review Panel members, representing various backgrounds, and several of our priority populations to evaluate the pool of applications,” said Dr. Cynthia Tucker, Senior Vice President of Community Partnerships and Special Projects. “Their recommendations, along with our LCC project priorities of working directly with and supporting smaller, Black- and Latino- led organizations has created an amazing cohort of grantees that we are proud to support.” 

About Learning Circle Collaborative (LCC): The Learning Circle Collaborative forges partnerships with Black and Latinx-led organizations and provides systemic capacity building. The LCC is a collaborative that works with agencies on identified needs by providing technical assistance, tailored coaching specific to agency needs and training and workshops on specific challenge areas such as fund and board development, communications, and HR/talent management. In addition, we provide a safe space for leaders to share lessons learned, build leadership and trust.