Creating Empowerment Through Micro-grants

Transforming 2TIGE Lives, One Grant at a Time

Discover how we’re using microgrants to create long term sustainable change to empower the 2Spirit, Trans, Intersex, and Gender Expansive community in 2025 and beyond.

Help us to fund the future by making a donation to our microgrant program and let’s build sustainable community change together!

Donate Now

Introducing Our Microgrant Program

Empowerment and Opportunity

Our microgrant program is designed to provide targeted financial support to individuals and projects that align with our mission of fostering empowerment and resilience. By offering these grants, we aim to remove barriers and create opportunities for growth and innovation. Each microgrant is tailored to address specific needs, ensuring that recipients receive the most impactful support possible.

Get news about TEP's Microgrants

With a focus on inclusivity and community-driven solutions, our microgrant program is a catalyst for positive change. We believe in the power of small investments to yield significant outcomes, and our grants are structured to maximize impact. Join us in supporting initiatives that drive progress and uplift marginalized voices.

Our microgrants are not just ‘direct aid’, but radical investments in our community. They’re meant to provide rest and relief for those who need it, create new opportunities for growth and leadership, while also offering the opportunity for our community to dream and and conspire together about what an equitable future could look like.

Now Funding: General Assistance Fund

Lead me to safety promotional banner showing a golden compass against a purple background

The General Assistance Fund provides urgent financial support to Two-Spirit, Trans, Intersex, and Gender Expansive (2TIGE) individuals facing immediate financial hardships. Whether it’s securing housing, affording medical care, or covering unexpected expenses, this fund is here to help.

2TIGE community members deserve to thrive!

Application Details:
– Opens: March 28th, 2024
– Closes: April 5th, 2024
– Award Notification: April 27th, 2024

Grants are awarded based on urgency, impact, and available funding, ensuring community members receive timely support when they need it most.

Application open to first 100 applicants from 03/28/24 until 11:59pm EST on 04/05/24

What is the General Assistance Fund?

The General Assistance Fund is a microgrant program designed to provide urgent financial assistance to 2TIGE individuals facing economic hardship. This fund helps cover essential expenses such as housing, medical care, food, and transportation, ensuring stability and well-being for community members in need.

Who is administering the General Assistance Fund microgrant?

This microgrant is managed by Trans Empowerment Project (TEP), dedicated to empowering marginalized 2TIGE individuals through resources and advocacy.

What are the goals of this microgrant?

The General Assistance Fund aims to provide immediate financial relief to 2TIGE individuals facing urgent needs. By addressing financial barriers, the program helps ensure stability, security, and access to essential resources for community members in crisis.

How does the General Assistance Fund align with TEP's mission of empowerment?

TEP is committed to moving 2TIGE individuals out of crisis by building equitable systems of support. The General Assistance Fund empowers community members by providing direct financial aid, allowing them to regain stability, access necessary resources, and move forward with dignity and autonomy.

How many General Assistance Fund grants will be available?

We will be distributing no less than ten (10) microgrants as part of this microgrants cycle in 2025.

This microgrant is now closed. Thank you to all who applied

Check back for information about our grantees!

Microgrant 1: Lead Me to Safety

The Lead Me to Safety microgrant program provided urgent financial assistance to 2-Spirit, Trans, Intersex, and Gender Expansive (2TIGE) individuals relocating from high-risk states to safer, affirming environments. Since its launch, we’ve awarded 10 microgrants, distributing over $5,000 in direct aid in Q1 of 2025

Want to learn more about our grantees and their journeys? Follow us on social media to hear their stories and celebrate their resilience.

Microgrant 2: General Assistance Fund

Our General Assistance Fund is designed to provide financial relief to community members in need of direct aid.

This funding will be awarded quarterly, beginning in Q2 of 2025 and will prioritize assistance for the most marginalized of our community members: Disabled, 2TIGE, community members who are also BIPOC (Black and Indigenous, and People of Color).

Details: Coming soon!

Applications will open on or around TDOV (March 31, 2025)

Grant 3: Grant for Creatives

The Arts and Culture Fund celebrates creativity by offering grants to artists and cultural projects that enrich our communities. This microgrant is perfect for those looking to make a cultural impact through the creative arts.

Details: TBD

Microgrant launches: June, 2024

Microgrant 4: Funding the Future

This microgrant program will include a fellowship for chosen applicants. Those who are chosen for our fellowship program will meet with our founder, regularly beginning in November, 2025 and will meet through June of 2026 as they work to level up their leadership skills, just in time for Pride.

Details: More information will be available in late 2025

Applications expected to open: October of 2025

Invest in 2TIGE Live : Donate Now!

Your generous donation can transform lives by funding our transformative microgrants program. Every contribution helps us to empower individuals and creates lasting change. Join us in making a difference today!

$ Raised So Far

Donate Now

Microgrant Program FAQs

u

What is the microgrant program?

Our microgrant program provides small, targeted grants to individuals and communities to support specific projects and initiatives that align with our mission.

u

Who is eligible to apply for a microgrant?

Eligibility is open to individuals and organizations that demonstrate a clear need and alignment with our program goals. Specific criteria can be found on our application page.

u

How can I apply for a microgrant?

Applications can be submitted through our online portal. Detailed instructions and guidelines are available to assist you in the application process.

u

What is the application deadline?

Deadlines vary by grant cycle. Please check our website for the most current information on application timelines.

u

How are microgrant recipients selected?

For each grant cycle, we will work with an Advisory Board, comprised of volunteer group leaders and TEP staff, who will each review applications for eligibility and to ensure that we are using an equitable and collaborative process, with our Steering Committee making final decisions to ensure fairness as needed.

Recipients are selected based on the strength of their application, need, alignment with our mission, and potential impact of funding.

u

What responsibilities do grantees have after receiving their grant(s)?

Grantees must provide regular updates, at least quarterly and for a period of one year, detailing their progress, informing the organization of their usage of funds, and are also encouraged to share their stories of success (personal stories may be shared anonymously if/when needed).

u

What is the typical grant amount?

Grant amounts vary depending on the grant you are applying for. These funds are also based on needs and available funding. Specific details are provided during each grant cycle and for each of our microgrants.

u

When will I receive my funding, if I'm chosen?

Chosen grantees will receive their grant payments in 1 lump sum and through electronic payment, usually within no more than 3 weeks. These funds will be distributed using the method that the grantee has selected. Grantees must confirm their identity and have to have completed all paperwork deemed necessary by the organization and/or our funders before their funds will be distributed.

For full transparency: As part of the verification process all Grantees must meet with a member of the TEP Microgrants team, with their cameras on, via Zoom or Google Meet. At this time, we can not make any exceptions to this rule.

u

Will my personal information remain private?

TEP adheres to strict privacy policies, including digital data protections and HIPAA guidelines to ensure all applicants’ information remains confidential and secure.

Stay Informed with Our Updates

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates about our microgrants program. Be the first to know about new opportunities and success stories. Sign up today and stay connected!

Subscribe for Updates

Follow Us