Flush Transphobia Fund Application
AVAILABLE TO GROUPS*, NONPROFITS, AND COALITIONS
*You do not need a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status to apply.
About Third Wave Fund
Third Wave Fund is the only national fund that supports and strengthens reproductive & gender
justice activism led by young women of color and trans, intersex, gender non-conforming, and queer
youth—focusing on efforts that advance the political power, well-being, and self-determination of
communities of color and low-income communities in the US.
Third Wave Fund holds the following beliefs:
1. People directly impacted by oppression are best positioned to design and lead solutions.
2. The leadership of young women of color and trans, intersex, queer, and gender non-conforming
youth brings critical analysis and power to all social justice movements.
3. We will achieve deep political, economic, and social change if we invest in transformative
organizing and education that addresses the root cause of an issue.
About the Flush Transphobia Fund
Third Wave’s Flush Transphobia Fund is a rapid response fund that supports the leadership of
transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming youth of color and low-income people. The fund
was created to combat the recent rise in state and local anti-trans legislation, especially bills focused
on access to public restrooms. We will make grants available for grassroots community-led efforts
that respond to current and upcoming legislative battles and that grow critical movement leadership
for long-term success at the state and local level.
● Proposals are accepted year-round and reviewed on the 15th day of each month. Quicker
decisions can be made on a case-by-case basis. All materials should be submitted by
midnight (in your time zone) on the 14th to be considered.
● Groups will be notified within one to two weeks and checks are generally mailed within two to
three weeks.
● Grants can be made up to $3,000 per group and up to $10,000 for coalitions and partnerships.
Larger grants will be made on a limited basis. If your plans require more funds in order to be
successful, please explain in Part III of your narrative.
● Groups working in coalitions or partnerships may decide how they want to apply and how they
want the grant divided up.
Flush Transphobia Fund Criteria and Priorities
1. Trans, Non-Binary, GNC-Led: Work is led by trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming
youth of color and low-income youth and includes the leadership of feminine-spectrum folks.
2. Project is focused on anti-discrimination bills, especially bills for public restroom
use: Your proposed activities specifically bring together the trans community to address
bathroom bills and similar anti-trans existing or proposed legislation.
3. Timely & Urgent: States and districts where a bill or ballot initiative are likely to pass or
where the introduction of the bills have likely and significant political consequences for
trans communities.
4. Strategic: Proposals include a thorough analysis of the problem, clear roles and goals,
and a concrete plan that is in sync with your goals.
5. Organizational Need: We will prioritize organizations with budgets under $500,000 and
that are based in areas with limited access to philanthropic resources.
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Examples of what we may fund or have funded:
● Urgent community organizing, direct action, or
public marches or rallies
● Town hall events or public forums
● Legislative or ballot initiative advocacy
campaigns
● Leadership training for these activities
Submitting a Proposal
Please review this checklist and submit your proposal to [email protected]:
 Cover Sheet (download separately) and Proposal Narrative (see instructions below)
 Organization Budget (if fiscally sponsored, please also send your fiscal sponsor’s budget)
 501c3 IRS Letter, from you or your fiscal sponsor, if applicable
 Any photographs, hashtags, or links for your organization or campaign that would be suitable for
publishing in our monthly e-blast, should your grant be approved
Proposal Narrative
Please respond to each prompt. Narratives can be submitted as a doc/pdf file or video/phone
interview. To schedule a phone interview, please indicate this when submitting other materials; phone
interviews need to be scheduled and completed by the 14 th of the month or the last business day
before the 14th of the month (if the 14th is a Saturday or Sunday).
Part I: Overview (respond to each question in paragraphs or bullet points)
1. Please describe the group or coalition’s mission and main focus of work including a brief
description of ongoing campaigns or projects and all members (for coalitions).
2. Who are the communities you work with? How are they reflected in your group or coalition?
3. What roles do youth play within your group or coalition and how are you defining “youth?”
4. What leadership roles do feminine-spectrum folks and trans women have in your work? Please
be specific if possible.
Part II: Need (respond to each question in paragraphs or bullet points)
5. Please name and describe the anti-trans legislation or ballot initiative you’re responding to and
explain why an urgent response is needed.
6. Describe your proposed activities and expected timeframe.
7. What are the goals of your project/action? What outcome(s) do you anticipate would result
from your project/action?
8. What support might help you carry out this response, in addition to a grant?
Part III: Budget (respond to each question and attach your current organizational budget)
9. What is the amount of your request? Grants can be awarded up to $3,000 per group applying.
10. Please list your projected expenses in the budget template below or a similar format.
Sample Budget
Items
Cost
Examples: Travel - $750, Hotel/Lodging - $1,000, Materials - $300 etc.
Total Cost
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