What Mpowerment Project does

The Mpowerment Project is a non-profit, community-level HIV prevention behavioral intervention developed and operated by the UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS). Founded in 1996, it targets young gay and bisexual men ages 18-29, addressing the disproportionately high rates of HIV infection and unprotected anal intercourse in this population. The core intervention operates through a "Core Group" of 10-20 young gay/bisexual men supported by paid staff, executing four integrated activities — Formal Outreach, Informal Outreach, an Ongoing Publicity Campaign, and peer-led M-groups (3-hour meetings of 8-10 men focused on safer-sex skills building). The program is structured around seven core elements (plus one optional), with a 500-page Training Manual, M-group facilitator and meeting guides, a 22-minute overview video, and a 47-minute M-group training video supporting implementation. An enhanced variant, MP+ (Mpowerment Project+), adds the Positive Living Group and Support Networks Group to engage young MSM living with HIV in the care continuum, and the program has been adapted for Black and Latino MSM populations.

The business model is non-commercial. All materials, training, and technical assistance are provided free of charge to implementing community-based organizations (CBOs) and health departments, funded through U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants and other public health sources under UCSF CAPS. The go-to-market motion is community-led dissemination: the program has been implemented at 72+ CBOs across the United States and beyond, supported by a free downloadable replication package, multi-day introductory trainings, and ongoing technical assistance from UCSF CAPS staff. Marketing relies on the program website, social media (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr), a blog, conference presentations at HIV/AIDS events, and periodic Mpowerment Summits convening implementing organizations. The program has produced nine peer-reviewed publications, including the original 1996 American Journal of Public Health article, a 2001 cost-effectiveness study, and a CDC-funded evaluation with N=298 young MSM of color at three CBOs, and is listed in the CDC's Compendium of HIV Prevention Interventions with Evidence of Effectiveness.

Name

Mpowerment Project

Legal name

UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies

Website

https://mpowerment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Mpowerment Project is a UCSF CAPS-affiliated non-profit community-level HIV prevention intervention for young gay and bisexual men ages 18-29, offering free training, manuals, and technical assistance to implementing community-based organizations and health departments across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health HIV Prevention Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sexual Health & STI/HIV Prevention Health Departments (HLAJAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), Infectious Disease & Immunization Program Funding (HLAJALAH)

Keywords

• HIV prevention programs
• Community health interventions
• Public health services
• Sexual health education
• Evidence-based interventions

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Health Funding / Government Grants: The Mpowerment Project is a free program disseminated by UCSF's Center for AIDS Prevention Studies with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The replication package, training, and technical assistance are provided free of charge to implementing organizations. Revenue is not generated commercially; the program is funded through public health grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Mpowerment Project is a free, community-level HIV prevention intervention for young gay and bisexual men ages 18-29, delivered through community-based organizations (CBOs) and health departments. It provides a 500-page Training Manual, M-group peer-led meeting guides, training videos, audio slideshows, and direct training and technical assistance at no cost to implementing organizations. The program is funded through public health grants and operates as a non-profit program under UCSF's Center for AIDS Prevention Studies.

Product overview

The Mpowerment Project is a single, unified community-level HIV prevention intervention for young gay and bisexual men, with a supplementary enhanced version (MP+) for those living with HIV. The core Mpowerment Project provides the foundational intervention model with 7 core elements, supported by a comprehensive 500-page Training Manual. MP+ extends the model with additional core elements specifically designed to support engagement in HIV care. The organization also provides a Materials Repository and Audio Slideshows as educational resources. The program does not function as a software platform but as a replicable community health model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MP+ (Mpowerment Project+): An enhanced version of the Mpowerment Project designed to help young MSM (YMSM) living with HIV engage in the HIV care continuum. Builds on the original model to mobilize YMSM to decrease psychosocial barriers and increase engagement in care.

Products and services

• Mpowerment Project A model community-level HIV prevention intervention designed specifically to address the needs of young gay and bisexual men ages 18-29. The program mobilizes young men to shape a healthy community, build positive social connections, and support their friends to have safer sex. It is delivered through community-based organizations and health departments.
• MP+ (Mpowerment Project+) An enhanced version of the Mpowerment Project designed to help young MSM (YMSM) living with HIV engage in the HIV care continuum. Includes adaptations of core elements and two new core elements: the Positive Living Group and the Support Networks Group.
• Mpowerment Project Training Manual A free 500-page training manual that includes an M-group Facilitator Guide, M-group Meeting Guide, a 22-minute Overview video, and a 47-minute M-group Training video for organizations implementing the program.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Mpowerment Project reduced risk behavior by 12% in Albuquerque, NM, while comparison communities saw increases of 24% (Phoenix) and 42% (Austin) during the same period.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mpowerment Project was developed by behavioral scientists at UCSF's Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), a leading-edge HIV/AIDS research institution. CAPS continues to support the program through the website, training, and technical assistance.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CDC supported the evaluation of the Mpowerment Project among young MSM of color (2009-2012, N=298 participants at 3 CBOs). The program is listed in the CDC's Compendium of Evidence-Based Interventions. CDC support has been instrumental in the program's scale-up.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• amfAR (Foundation for AIDS Research): A leading nonprofit funding HIV/AIDS research, advocacy, and education. Related but broader HIV-focused nonprofit with overlapping funders, donors, and policy/advocacy footprint.
• AIDS United: A national HIV/AIDS nonprofit that funds and advocates for CBOs delivering HIV prevention and care services. Comparable federal grant routing role and CBO-focused mission within the U.S. HIV infrastructure that supports Mpowerment implementations.
• CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP): The federal agency that funds, evaluates, and lists Mpowerment Project in its Compendium of Evidence-Based Interventions. Operates the broader ecosystem of DEBIs (Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions) of which Mpowerment is one.

Emerging players

• Black AIDS Institute: Mission-aligned nonprofit focused on HIV prevention, treatment, and care for Black Americans. Shares Mpowerment's emphasis on MSM of color and CBO capacity-building.

Direct peers

• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: A large San Francisco-based CBO delivering HIV prevention, testing, PrEP navigation, and care services to MSM and other priority populations. Operates as an implementing CBO in the same HIV prevention ecosystem as Mpowerment.
• d-up: Defend Yourself!: A CDC-listed evidence-based intervention that mobilizes Black MSM to promote safer sex norms through social networks. Direct behavioral diffusion peer in the same DEBI portfolio as Mpowerment.
• Many Men, Many Voices (3MV): A CDC-listed evidence-based HIV prevention intervention for Black MSM. Same CDC DEBI ecosystem, similar population focus, and similar CBO dissemination model as Mpowerment Project.
• Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC): A pioneering HIV/AIDS service organization serving gay, bisexual, and other MSM through prevention, testing, care coordination, and advocacy. Comparable mission, target population, and CBO delivery model as Mpowerment Project.
• National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC): A national organization developing leadership and capacity among communities of color to confront HIV. Shares Mpowerment's focus on MSM of color interventions and CBO capacity-building.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mpcaps
• Facebookfacebook.com/mpowermentproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mpowerment Project