Pride Center of Vermont is facing an urgent funding crisis—and we need your help.
For over a decade, PCVT has been a trusted provider of HIV prevention, safer sex education, healthcare navigation support, and health equity resources for 2STLGBQIA+ Vermonters. We serve thousands of people each year with free HIV testing, harm reduction outreach, peer support, and life-affirming wellness programming.
But due to major federal-level changes to public health funding priorities, and redistribution of available funding at the state level, we were just informed that our core HIV prevention grant was cut by over 80%, effective June 1st. This unexpected reduction — from $250,000 to just $50,000 for FY26 — puts these essential services, and the staff who deliver them, in immediate jeopardy.
What’s at Risk
This funding, administered through the Vermont Department of Health and supported by the CDC and HRSA Ryan White Program, has allowed us to build a strong, trusted team. All four of the potentially impacted staff are deeply connected to their communities, which is a key element in building trust for HIV education, prevention and testing.
Our HIV Prevention funding currently provides financial support for:
- Two full-time positions (Health & Wellness Director and Manager)
- Partial support for two others (Trans Program Manager and Operations & Outreach Coordinator)
- Safer sex supplies, HIV self test kits, HIV & STI testing pop-up events, peer support, and so much more
If we don’t secure new funding by June 1, 2025, we’ll be forced to:
- Lay off trained HIV prevention staff
- Drastically reduce free HIV testing and outreach programming
- Cut back trans health and wellness and peer support services
- Reduce services statewide, especially for rural, BIPOC, and low-income LGBTQ+ Vermonters
This isn’t just a budget cut—it’s a public health emergency in the making. So how can you help?
Make a Donation
Every gift helps stabilize our programs and protect services during this critical time. Recurring monthly gifts provide the sustainability we need most.
👉 Donate Now
Support us In Person at an Event
🌱 Celebrate spring and fund our Trans Program at the TransPlants Sale this Saturday, May 10
🥂 Toast to 25+ years of Pride Center at our Annual Celebration & Anniversary Gala on Thursday, May 29
Contact Lawmakers
We’re calling on the Vermont Legislature to allocate $200,000 in bridge funding by July 1st to help us maintain services and staffing while long-term solutions are developed. Let your representatives know you support LGBTQ+ health equity and urge them to take action.📄 Read our Legislative One-Pager for Talking Points
📢 Read & Share our Press Release
Spread the Word
Share this blog post or our social media posts, tag Vermont legislators, and amplify the call for funding. Use your voice to show that LGBTQ+ health services are essential—and that Vermont values equity.
Since 1999, PCVT has been here for the 2STLGBQIA+ community in Vermont. We are the state’s longest-standing 2STLGBQIA+ community center for adults, and a vital provider of health and wellness resources among many other vital services. Together, we can ensure we remain that lifeline for generations to come.
Thank you for standing with us in this urgent moment.
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Questions? Want to get more involved? Contact us at info@pridecentervt.org or call (802) 860-7812.