HIV Consortium granted $10K to fund services for women and youth
The Delaware HIV Consortium announced it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation to support EmpowerHER: Community-Based HIV Prevention for Women and Youth.
The program expands access to wrap-around health services for women and young people disproportionately affected by HIV in Delaware. EmpowerHER responds to the urgent need for culturally responsive prevention strategies tailored to women and youth — two groups that continue to face barriers to care due to stigma, inequities and limited access to resources. Through this initiative, DHC will expand prevention education, HIV and STI testing, PrEP navigation, and supportive services that foster resilience and health equity.
Founded by actress and activist Elizabeth Taylor, the foundation has funded innovative, community-driven programs worldwide to advance her vision of an AIDS-free future. This grant reflects the foundation’s commitment to strengthening frontline efforts that deliver compassionate care, challenge stigma and reduce health disparities.
This award comes as part of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation’s 2025 Emergency Grant Cycle, launched in response to anticipated federal funding gaps that threaten essential HIV prevention and care programs nationwide. By selecting the Delaware HIV Consortium’s EmpowerHER program, the foundation is helping ensure that women and young people in Delaware will not lose access to the critical, community-based services they need to thrive despite shifting national policies.
"We recognize that many nonprofit organizations and initiatives rely heavily on government funding, and we are committed to helping them navigate these unforeseen challenges. Many HIV service organizations will face unexpected financial hurdles due to the recent policy changes, and it is crucial that we respond swiftly," said Cathy Brown, Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation executive director.
“This generous support from the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation strengthens our mission and will help us ensure that, regardless of threats to public funding, no woman or young person in Delaware is left behind in the fight against HIV,” said Tyler Berl, executive director of the Delaware HIV Consortium. “We are honored to carry forward Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy by centering compassion, empowerment and equity in our prevention work.”
For more than 30 years, the Delaware HIV Consortium has been a statewide leader in HIV prevention and care, delivering comprehensive services including testing, PrEP navigation, housing, case management and community education. With this new investment from ETAF, DHC will continue building healthier, more resilient communities while advancing progress toward ending the HIV epidemic.
