BOX 1.

Recommendations to Promote Structural Equity for HIV CBOs in Ending the Epidemic

1.	Protect against the erasure of HIV CBOs by being vocal about what we do, emphasizing the historical and contemporary roles we have played in combating the epidemic. Vocalization can include: a. Direct communication with lawmakers and policymakers. b. Consistent engagement with legacy and new media to document and disseminate “success stories” related to the clients and communities served.
2.	Create space at decision-making tables for the meaningful involvement of people living with HIV who work within HIV CBOs, in determining funding priorities, distribution of funding, and policy development; include HIV CBOs that have direct contact with communities that can help guide and inform effective approaches.
3.	Hold institutions accountable for our equitable inclusion (and meaningful involvement)—at local, state, and federal levels. Include mandates in requests for proposals that CBOs be included in meaningful and fiscally tangible ways.
4.	Build flexibility into federal and other service funding opportunities to allow CBOs equitable access and the ability to use funding in ways that are responsive to diverse clients and patients; craft language that communities can understand. Be sensitive to the fact that clients and patients need significant and varied types of support to achieve viral suppression.
5.	Allow funding to bypass health departments and be distributed directly to CBOs,3 so that it addresses needs identified by the CBOs.
6.	Fund research for equitable academic and HIV CBO partnerships to develop and test approaches to end the epidemic, especially among those at increased risk for HIV.
7.	Ensure that BIPOC researchers with community-engaged experience and HIV CBO relationships are supported in the development of evidence-based interventions and prioritization of funding decisions at the state and federal level.
8.	Include in the EHE plan a focus on building capacity to maximize benefits inherent in HIV CBOs. This plan should: a. Work with HIV CBOs, including board leadership, to better foresee and react to any opportunities and threats and adapt to change. b. Build capacity of HIV CBOs in (1) combatting existing and novel infectious diseases and (2) organizational planning as the HIV epidemic ends. c. Create a program to build leadership capacity for executive directors of color with less experience; nurture new generations of leaders; invest in succession planning efforts; incorporate a coaching and mentoring program with veteran executive directors who can provide practical support and guidance.
9.	Create a community of HIV CBO leaders of color where intellectual exchange, capacity building, and social support can occur.
10.	Ensure HIV CBOs in rural areas of the country have the training and infrastructure to combat HIV/AIDS; provide opportunities for rural HIV CBOs to apply for and obtain funding to do this.
11.	Involve local and state political leaders in conversations and long-term strategic planning to counter stigma and encourage advocacy to fund and strengthen BIPOC HIV CBO infrastructure.
12.	Promote and reward multilevel intervention approaches that seek to end HIV stigma, racism, homophobia and transphobia, ableism, and sexism.

Note. BIPOC = Black, Indigenous, and people of color; CBO = community-based organization; EHE = ending the HIV epidemic.