The Trans Love Fund application is currently closed!

Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to read the Frequently Asked Questions and get all your questions answered about Trans Love Fund!

Trans Love Fund

 THE TRANS LOVE FUND IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE TRANS COMMUNITY THROUGH PROVIDING EMERGENCY FUNDS TO TRANS IDENTIFIED INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT SOUTH CAROLINA.

We know that the needs of members of our trans community do not begin and end with legal and healthcare costs, but we also know that these folks often face expenses in these areas that cisgender people do not. Trans people struggle disproportionately to find safe workplaces, and they are often denied access to the most basic staples in life, like warmth and shelter. In response to these needs, WAF created a grant structure and application process that will provide funding for a full spectrum of needs for transgender people in South Carolina. The Trans Love Fund provides microgrants to trans identified individuals throughout the state for medical, legal, and emergency living expenses.

Support the Trans Love Fund by completing the donation form using the button below. Select “Trans Love Fund” under programs and your donation will help provide microgrants to transgender individuals living in South Carolina.

History of The Trans Love Fund

The Trans Love Fund was founded in October of 2013, following We Are Family’s annual Spirit Day event. Our keynote speaker for the event was Laverne Cox, and the program was dedicated entirely to trans issues and awareness. Another speaker, a young local trans girl known as Jaimie, spoke about her struggles as her insurance company had recently stopped paying for her puberty suppressants. She spoke about the toll this took on her mental wellbeing. After hearing this story, the Trans Love Fund (TLF) sprang into existence to gather the funds necessary to help Jaimie. Through the generosity of the Charleston community and two fundraising events, TLF raised enough money to pay for her medication for a critical 6-month period, before she found relief in a new insurance program. Since then, the Trans Love Fund focuses on providing microgrants to trans identified and gender non-conforming individuals in South Carolina for medical, legal, and emergency expenses.

It takes a village! It is our hope that businesses in our community will join us in supporting trans lives by providing a sponsorship of $1,000 (provides microgrants to 5 individuals), $600 (provides microgrants to 3 individuals, or $200 (provides a microgrant to 1 individual).

Business sponsors will receive a logo listed on this webpage, with a link to your business page.

To secure your sponsorship, complete the donation form using the button above. Select “Trans Love Fund” under programs and type “sponsorship” in the memo.

Thank You to Our TLF Funders & Sponsors who Make this Program Possible!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is this fund for? The Trans Love Fund provides micro grants to trans people who are 16+ and currently live in South Carolina. If you are under 16, not emancipated, and seeking funding, please email translovefund@gmail.com.

What changes have happened to the TLF program? The structure of the program changed in early 2022. Instead of the application being open 24/7, this application will be open for a week out of each month. The application cycles and timeframes are roughly around the first week of each month. Additionally, we are adding the ability to receive funds through Paypal. 

What happens once I submit my application? Can you summarize the entire grant process? 

Once you submit your application and the application cycle closes, it is reviewed by the TLF committee. 

If your application is approved and you select to receive payment via Paypal, you will be contacted via phone/google voice/google meets to verify payment information. (should take less than 5 minutes) 

If your application is approved and you select to receive payment via check, you will be emailed about your approval and your check will be processed. 

What information do I need to provide? 

You will have to provide your name, legal name (for check), email, phone number, primary address & secondary address (for check) and some additional demographic information. You can also share what you are requesting funds for and how you have been impacted by COVID 19. We also ask that you upload a picture of your ID. If you cannot provide some of the information requested, there is an area at the end of the application to share why. 

For payment through Paypal, you will have to provide your Paypal account name as well as the phone number and email linked to your Paypal account.  Please note that your number/email need to be active and tied to your account so you can get notified of funds.

What can I apply for funding for? You can apply for a variety of needs. Needs that are urgent and for day to day survival will be prioritized. What is defined as urgent will vary from applicant to applicant and should be explained in your application. 

When are applications reviewed? Applications will be reviewed by the TLF committee immediately after the closing of the application - most likely the next day. If the cycle ends on a Friday, the committee will meet the Monday after the application closes.

When are payments processed? Payment process dates vary. Once your application is reviewed and approved, your payment will be processed. This can be as soon as the same day as the committee review day. If there are questions or follow up needed before your application can be approved, it will delay the processing of payment.

How will I know if my application is approved? You will receive an email from translovefund@gmail.com sharing that your application has been approved and your payment is on the way.

What format are payments disbursed? Applicants now have the option of receiving funds through check or through Paypal. 

How long will it take for me to get payment? If you request a check, once the application is approved a check will be sent to your address. It may take up to a week for you to receive the check. If you request payment through Paypal, once the application is approved the payment will be processed within 1-2 days. 

How often can I apply? Based on funding, a new application from someone who has previously received funds can be considered every six months or six cycles*. For example: If you received funds in April, you can apply again in October. In your application, please select "YES" for the question "Have you received funding from the Trans Love Fund before?"     

*this is subject to change

Can my application be rejected? The TLF committee reserves the right to reject an application. Providing fraudulent information is grounds for a rejection. If you have received funding from TLF before and select "no" in response to "Have you received funding from Trans Love Fund before?," it can be considered providing false information. An application can also be rejected due to limited TLF funding. 

How much money can I request? Due to limited funding, the max that can be funded is $200 and under per person.

How long will the TLF Fund be open? The TLF is funded through fundraising and small grants. With limited funds and much need, funding is dispersed quickly. There is currently no set close date for TLF - we will continue for as long as funding lasts. 

Who makes up the Trans Love Fund committee? The committee is made up of LGBTQ+ community members and a We Are Family representative. 

Who can I contact about the TLF? The contact email is translovefund@gmail.com.