The International Trans Fund (ITF) is a global participatory grantmaking foundation created by and for trans communities. Composed of trans activists and allied donors, the ITF mobilizes sustainable resources to strengthen trans-led movements, close funding gaps, and support collective action for trans people’s rights, self-determination and wellbeing across all regions of the world.
Role of the International Trans Fund in the funding ecosystem
The ITF focuses on resourcing trans-led organizations of different sizes at international, regional, national and local levels, with particular emphasis on grassroots groups and those with limited access to other funding. It provides financial support through two main grant types: SEED grants for organizations receiving ITF support for the first time, and THRIVE grants for former SEED grantee partners ready to deepen or scale their work. Grant amounts range from USD 10,000 to 50,000 and are awarded for one-year periods.
Funding priorities and eligible groups
The ITF funds groups that are trans-led and whose primary mission is to benefit trans communities and build trans movements. Eligibility criteria include an operating budget under USD 100,000, collective rather than individual applicants, and clear contribution to movement building beyond basic service delivery. The fund prioritizes a diverse portfolio of grantees that reflect a range of identities, issues, strategies, languages and regions, with a particular focus on communities facing intersecting marginalizations such as racism, classism, ableism, misogyny and ageism.
Types of activities supported
ITF grants support a wide variety of movement-building activities. These can include awareness-raising events, direct action, trainings, support groups, media and arts projects, political advocacy, resource development, community-based research, creation and maintenance of community spaces, leadership and personal development programs, educational campaigns, mobilizations and many other creative initiatives. The emphasis is on strengthening organizing power and long-term structures for trans liberation.
Participatory grantmaking process
The ITF is explicitly participatory: trans people are involved at every stage of the grantmaking process. Funding priorities and strategies are shaped by trans communities, and all eligible applications are reviewed by the Grant Making Panel (GMP), a rotating body of trans activists from across the globe. This panel selects grantee partners, helping ensure that decisions reflect diverse regional and political perspectives. The ITF runs one grantmaking cycle per year and accepts applications in several languages, including English, French, Russian, Spanish and Simplified Chinese.
Publics served and global impact
Since its creation, the ITF has funded dozens of trans-led organizations in many countries, as documented in its annual Grantee Partners pages. These partners work on issues such as legal gender recognition, anti-violence initiatives, access to healthcare, community organizing, economic justice and the cultural visibility of trans people. By channelling resources directly to trans-led groups, the ITF aims to redistribute power in philanthropy and expand the reach and resilience of trans movements worldwide.