This week, Blue Ridge Pride issued $2,000 in additional grants to community partners who are on the front lines addressing the impact of COVID-19 on the local LGBTQ Community. These two grants target a population that is especially hard-hit by COVID-19: transgender and non-binary people. Western North Carolina Community Health Services says that almost 90% of its transgender / non-binary patients fall under the 200% federal poverty level.
WNC Community Health Services TRANSition Assistance Program (TAP)
Grant: $1,000
The purpose of the program is to assist WNCCHS’s transgender/non-binary (“trans”) patients who are undergoing economic hardship with expedited access to emergency funding to assist in covering transition-related medical costs, such as ongoing hormone treatments. Disruptions in such medical care can cause significant physical and emotional suffering. Links / Contact Information: Trans Health Program | Donate to WNCCHS | For Information on TAP, contact mhoeben@wncchs.org.
Tranzmission COVID-19 Relief Fund
Grant: $1,000
Tranzmission is a trans-led organization, focused on making the lives of nonbinary and transgender people safer, healthier, and happier. It has set up a fund that seeks to lessen the financial strain on community members impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. This could include anything from health-related costs, loss of income, or increased financial stress associated with family care.
The fund issues grants in amounts from $75-$150, depending on personal need and availability of funds. On May 4, the fund issued $10,000 in grants during its first round. It seeks to raise a total of $38,000. Links: Apply for Grant | Donate to Tranzmission.