Trans Resilience Fund

The Trans Resilience Fund is a grant program administered by the Gender Justice Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing gender justice and equity. This fund aims to support regional trans communities through a participatory grantmaking model. In this process, a committee composed of trans and non-binary community members develops the funding guidelines and makes all funding decisions. The Fund is sustained through contributions from a diverse set of external funding partners and individual donors. For the 2025 grant cycle, the Fund is backed by the Collective Future Fund, Julia Stone, Patricia Kind Family Foundation, Samuel Fels Fund, Valentine Foundation, Weber Family Foundation, Women’s Way, and Bread & Roses Community Fund. The purpose of the Trans Resilience Fund is to support organizations that are led by and serve trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) communities. The 2025 funding priorities specifically include BIPOC TGNC-led organizations, groups that serve BIPOC TGNC elders, youth, and disabled individuals, and organizations offering gender affirming care, housing support, or direct financial aid to trans individuals. Grants may be used for general operating support, direct financial assistance, advocacy, organizing, and provision of services, depending on the size and focus of the applicant organization. Applications are open to nonprofit groups or organizations composed of at least two individuals working together for community benefit. Applicants need not be formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3), but they must certify that their activities meet IRS eligibility requirements. They must also be located in and serve Philadelphia, or the counties of Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, or Delaware in Pennsylvania. Both established organizations and newer grassroots groups, including those with non-hierarchical leadership, are encouraged to apply. Organizations that received funding in 2024 are eligible to reapply, provided they submit a report on their previous grant. The grant cycle timeline begins with the release of the application and guidelines on April 28, 2025. Two virtual information sessions are scheduled on May 5 and May 6, 2025, to help prospective applicants. Applications must be submitted online by May 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM EDT. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to virtual interviews in July, with grant announcements scheduled for August 2025. All application materials, including a project or organizational budget and any necessary IRS or fiscal sponsor documentation, must be submitted online. Grant sizes are fixed at three levels: $5,000, $10,000, or $20,000. The actual amount awarded may vary based on available funds and total demand. The use of funds is contingent on the applicant's organizational budget and the population they serve. Organizations with budgets under $500,000 may apply for broader use of funds, particularly if they exclusively serve trans communities. Larger organizations are restricted to using funds for direct financial support only, with an optional 10% for administration. Support is available for applicants via the information sessions and direct email communication with the Gender Justice Fund at info@genderjusticephilly.org. Since its inception in 2021, the Trans Resilience Fund has distributed $620,000 in grants to support trans communities across Philadelphia and its surrounding counties.