TransOhio’s Emergency Fund provides emergency assistance to trans people, including transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, 2-spirit, and intersex individuals and families of trans youth, who urgently need healthcare, food, housing, or relocation to a safer and more affirming environment. Since launching the Fund in December 2023, we have distributed well over $130,000 of emergency cash assistance and additional resource connections to thousands of trans folks and families, with the support of countless donations from the community.

We respond to applications as quickly as possible; please note that we operate as a volunteer-driven organization with constrained resources, and responses may take up to 2-3 weeks. If you are in an imminently dangerous situation, please email transohio@transohio.org directly, and we will respond as soon as possible. 

All applications will undergo a review process that typically includes a phone call with a member of our team to vet recipients, determine the severity of need, and provide additional resource navigation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and funds are distributed in the order that applications are received. Applicants will also be connected with additional resources, advice, and material help (e.g., binders, harm reduction kits, mobility aids) as relevant. 

Funding is not guaranteed. You may apply more than once, but we do have a maximum per person per calendar year. Direct financial assistance can only be disbursed while funds are available. TransOhio reserves the right to temporarily suspend emergency fund distribution at any time. 

Microgrants are provided to those transgender individuals and families of trans youth who urgently need to relocate to a safer and more affirming environment and/or who are experiencing current care access issues. We understand that access can be affected by a variety of outside factors and will help through funds and resources as best we can with the following:

• Homelessness or housing insecurity

• Basic needs (food, safety, imminent shutoff of utilities, etc.)

• HRT access

• Transportation to medical appointments

• Passport fees (Please see our legal clinic for name/gender document update assistance and microgrants. Click Here)

Requirements:

• You, or a dependent, are transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, 2-spirit, and/or intersex.

• You are 18 or older.

• You currently live in Ohio.

• You’re enduring financial hardship, an unsafe environment, and/or care access problems resulting from anti-trans laws, legislation, and/or administrative rules in Ohio.