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!
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.
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: Lead me to Safety
The Lead Me to Safety microgrant program provides funding to assist Two-Spirit, Trans, Intersex, and Gender Expansive (2TIGE) individuals who are trying to relocate from high-risk states to safer, affirming environments; especially in response to the increasing number of anti-trans bills that we’ve seen proposed across the U.S. annually.
2TIGE community members deserve to thrive!
Applications open Dec. 27th 2024 and run until we receive the first 100 applications with a final application date of 11:59pm EST on Dec. 31st, 2024.
Application criteria will be announced at the opening of the application before or on Dec. 27th, 2024.
Application open to first 100 applicants from 12/27/24 until 11:59pm EST on 12/31/24
What is the Lead Me to Safety microgrant program?
The Lead Me to Safety microgrant program provides $500 to assist Two-Spirit, Trans, Intersex, and Gender Expansive (2TIGE) individuals in relocating from high-risk states to safer, affirming environments.
Who is administering the Lead me to Safety microgrant?
The program is managed by Trans Empowerment Project (TEP), dedicated to empowering marginalized 2TIGE individuals through resources and advocacy.
What are the goals of this program?
The program aims to ensure the immediate safety of up to (10) 2TIGE individuals while promoting long-term stability and community integration.
How does Lead Me to Safety align with TEP’s mission of 'empowerment'?
By addressing urgent relocation needs, Lead me To Safety aims to foster empowerment for grantees through removing unnecessary barriers to the funding/ financial support and increasing community support, which may otherwise be keeping these community members stuck in dangerous and oppressive living situations.
How many Lead me to Safety microgrants will be available?
We will be distributing no less than ten (10) microgrants as part of our Lead me to Safety program in 2025.
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: To be announced closer to Q2 2025
Applications will open on or around TDOV (March 31, 2025)
Grant 3: Grant for Creatives
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
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Microgrant Program FAQs
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.
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.
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.
What is the application deadline?
Deadlines vary by grant cycle. Please check our website for the most current information on application timelines.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Invest in 2TIGE Live : Donate Now!
Your generous donation can transform lives by funding our innovative microgrant program. Every contribution helps us empower individuals and create lasting change. Join us in making a difference today!