Seed Funding Program Launches via ViiV Positive Action Grant
Positive Action banner with ViiV Healthcare and New Moon Network logos.
Sex workers have long been at the forefront of prevention, harm reduction, and community care in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Global research consistently highlights that sex worker communities are essential to an effective HIV/AIDS response. Yet, these communities remain too often marginalized due to stigma and criminalization.
Fortunately, ViiV Healthcare recognizes the pivotal role that sex workers play in tackling the HIV/AIDS crisis. As part of their commitment, ViiV has awarded New Moon a multi-year Positive Action Grant. This generous support has empowered New Moon to launch two key initiatives: the Seed Funding program and the Sex Work Health & Harm Reduction Cohort (SWHHRC). Both programs are designed to strengthen sex worker-led organizations, providing direct services and fostering advocacy efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
How New Moon will leverage the Positive Action Grant
An illustration of how New Moon will use the Positive Action Grant from ViiV Healthcare
In applying for the Positive Action Grant from ViiV, New Moon’s objective is to expand the reach of trusted messengers within sex-working communities and advocate for HIV-related policy reforms that directly impact sex workers. We are focusing on engaging grassroots organizations and individual advocates with lived experience in the sex trade, leveraging New Moon’s re-granting and leadership development programs. With the support from ViiV, we will implement the following initiatives:
Seed Funding: New Moon has selected 15 grantee partners to receive $1,000 per month for 12 months. Priority was given to groups providing direct services to key populations and underserved regions. In collaboration with experienced philanthropic and movement advisors, we identified these partners, who will also assist in developing biannual surveys and assessing program impact. We aim to evaluate how providing $1,000 per month for a year affects budget stability for these groups, most of which operate with annual budgets under $60,000.
Sex Worker Health & Harm Reduction Cohort (SWHHRC): Recognizing that community groups need more than just funding to thrive, New Moon has invited a representative from each Seed Funding group to join the SWHHRC. Led by Justice Rivera, this cohort brings together service providers and advocates working at the intersection of public health and sex work to network, share knowledge, and exchange best practices. Participants will receive a $100 stipend for each meeting they attend. The cohort will compile their findings and present them on Spokes Hub on December 1, 2025, in recognition of World AIDS Day.
Spokes Hub: To extend the benefits of the Positive Action Grant to a broader audience, New Moon will partner with HIV/AIDS advocates, scholars, and educators to create specialized programming for Spokes Hub. This free online academy is designed for advocates with lived experience in the sex trade, offering at least five classes covering the history, prevention, treatment, and global advocacy efforts to eradicate HIV/AIDS.
