Work With Us

Work With Us to End the HIV Epidemic

At COMPASS, we believe that ending the HIV epidemic in the Southern United States is within reach—but it requires all of us working together.

In less than a decade, we’ve made remarkable strides, yet there’s still so much more to do. From tackling HIV stigma to supporting community-driven solutions, every step we take is vital to creating lasting change.

When you partner with COMPASS, you’re joining a transformative movement dedicated to:

• HIV Advocacy: Amplifying voices to push for systemic change.
• Capacity Building Funding: Empowering organizations with the resources they need to grow and innovate.
• Community-led Grantmaking: Ensuring those closest to the issue lead the charge.
• HIV Stigma Reduction: Changing perceptions and fostering acceptance through education and engagement.
• Next Gen Leadership: Developing the next generation of leaders to sustain the fight against HIV.

Now is the time to take action. Join us in this critical effort to empower communities, inspire progress, and build a future free from HIV stigma and disparities. Together, we can create a lasting impact.

Upcoming Opportunities

Emory COMPASS Coordinating Center

The Emory COMPASS Coordinating Center is a leader in advancing solutions to end the HIV epidemic in the Southern United States. Based at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory leverages decades of expertise in HIV research, prevention, and care. With your support, Tthe Emory COMPASS team empowers local leaders and strengthens community-based organizations through tailored training, technical assistance, and collaborative partnerships. 

Explore these opportunities to collaborate with us and drive sustainable change in reducing health disparities: 

• Next-Generation Leadership is about empowering and equipping future health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle today’s most pressing health challenges. Partner with us to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will drive meaningful change and advance health equity for all. 

• HIV Advocacy is essential to guaranteeing access to high-quality, stigma-free HIV prevention, care, and support services. Join us to increase local leadership and advocacy efforts to shape policies and secure resources to eliminate healthcare and social justice gaps.   

• Organizational Leadership is at the core of the work we do. Explore our non-degree programs designed for leaders looking to enhance their skills, strengthen their organizations, and drive lasting impact. 

Contact Kia Colbert, Center Director, for more information about supporting these or other Emory Coordinating Center initiatives.

Southern AIDS Coalition

The Southern AIDS Coalition (SAC) believes that ending the HIV epidemic in the South starts with building a better HIV workforce—one that practices cultural humility, understands the unique factors driving the epidemic, and embraces innovative approaches. While SAC provides training and technical assistance free of charge, your collaboration can help expand our capacity-building efforts.

• Saving Ourselves Symposium: SAC’s annual conference, catered to Black LGBTQIA+ Southerners, is a key opportunity to collaborate. Support this transformative event by partnering with us or donating directly.

Contact Dafina Ward, Executive Director, for more information about supporting these or other Southern AIDS Coalition initiatives.

SUSTAIN Wellbeing COMPASS Coordinating Center

The SUSTAIN Center at the University of Houston provides justice-centered training, coaching, and grants to organizations across the US South. They partner with communities to co-develop, implement, and evaluate trauma-informed, healing-centered, and harm reduction-oriented programs. Their work sits at the intersection of HIV, mental health, drug use, and wellness, with a focus on creating holistic, sustainable solutions that foster true healing and justice.

Explore these opportunities to partner with SUSTAIN:

• The Taking Action Together Summit: This two-day summit brings HIV service providers, advocates, and People Living with HIV together to envision healing-centered, liberation-driven organizations and services. The summit is a powerful space for learning, connecting, and strategizing for meaningful change, and we’re excited to bring it back in 2025. You can support emerging leaders attend the summit by contributing to our scholarship fund.
• Language Justice: Our work around Language Justice has expanded significantly over the years, in partnership with tecolotl, focusing on training leaders to integrate language justice approaches into their work. By supporting this initiative, you will help us continue to grow this critical area, ensuring that language justice tools and practices strengthen the work of HIV service providers, advocates, and People Living with HIV.  
• Collaborative Research Projects: Our community-based research is centered on partnering with communities impacted by HIV to co-create libratory practices, policies, and programs using research. We believe that remedies to social and systemic injustices are rooted in community knowledge and wisdom. We are dedicated to turning knowledge into action, ensuring that our findings are accessible and can be leveraged by our communities to drive meaningful change. 

Contact Samira Ali, Center Director, for more information about supporting these or other SUSTAIN initiatives.

Faith COMPASS Coordinating Center

The Faith COMPASS Coordinating Center at Wake Forest University School of Divinity transforms how faith communities address the HIV epidemic in the South. By advancing faith-based advocacy and spiritually integrated capacity building, we work with partners to reduce stigma, foster inclusion, and support those most affected.

By collaborating with Faith COMPASS, you can help build awareness, strengthen education, and create tools for healing and hope. Together, we can empower faith leaders to lead transformative change.

• Summer Institute: This three-day program brings faith leaders, health service providers, and community advocates together to explore how to reduce stigma and promote health-affirming narratives through transformative storytelling and diverse theological lenses. The Summer Institute provides an opportunity to explore the connections between faith, sacred memory, and healing in a dynamic, supportive environment. 

• Dr. John W. Hatch Lecture & Symposium: Now entering its tenth year, the annual Hatch Lecture & Symposium is designed to engage faith leaders, community advocates, health professionals, and others in critical conversations about the current state of progress toward health equity and the steps needed to advocate for health justice in and through faith communities.

• Learning Collaboratives: The Faith COMPASS Center provides multiple opportunities for collaborative learning and capacity-strengthening, including our HIV & Faith Ambassadors program and other diverse virtual learning opportunities.

Contact Stacy Smallwood, Executive Director, for more information about supporting these or other Faith COMPASS initiatives.