Month: January 2022

ITF & Astraea Announcement

The International Trans Fund (ITF) and Astraea are thrilled to announce that the ITF began operations as an independent and autonomous organization as of January 1, 2022. 

The ITF is the only global participatory grantmaker exclusively dedicated to supporting trans-led groups as they work to secure rights for trans people and improve their lived realities. Since the ITF’s 2016 inception, Astraea has acted as fiscal host to ITF, to ensure it has the necessary operational support needed to grow and develop as an organization. Through this partnership, the ITF has been able to disburse $3.867M to 133 trans-led groups in 80 countries. 

With over 40 years of its own grantmaking experience moving resources to LGBTQI movements and an unwavering commitment to supporting trans and non-binary communities, Astraea has offered critical technical support, guidance, and mentorship to the ITF. This partnership has represented both organizations’ deep-rooted commitment to resourcing trans movements and facilitating the growth of trans activist leadership across the globe. 

The ITF’s transition to becoming an autonomous organization marks an important moment in the organization’s history. As a lesbian feminist fund that has always been committed to self-determination, Astraea congratulates the ITF on this transition, and will always stand in solidarity with the ITF as a partner and ally. Together Astraea and the ITF  look forward to continuing our close partnership to move resources and shift power to trans movements across the globe. 

 

In solidarity,

Joy Chia

Executive Director, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice

 

Broden Giambrone

Director, International Trans Fund

Welcoming Luca Lukina as the ITF’s New Communications Associate

The ITF is pleased to announce that Luca Lukina has joined our team as the Communications Associate. Luca is a nonbinary activist from Kyrgyzstan with a passion for trans rights and social justice. Luca joins ITF with a background in communications and advocacy as well as 7 years of experience working in grassroots groups and organizations. They believe in the power of storytelling for changing social norms and fighting injustices.

Luca first got involved in human rights activism when they were attending the American University of Central Asia. Throughout the years they have worked in different gender justice and LGBT rights NGOs, most notable being “Labrys”, an organization based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Luca’s involvement with LGBT rights and feminist activism has shaped their work which is focused on helping queer communities tell their stories and strengthening solidarity within movements.

Q & A: Getting to Know Luca

What excites you about joining ITF as the Communications Associate?
I’m very excited to become part of an organization with a global impact that reaches trans communities in all parts of the world. Most of my previous work has been on a national and regional level so I’m very delighted to work with activists from all corners of the world and be a part of an international, multi-cultural team.

What inspires you?
I’m inspired by people and activist communities that fight for equality and justice. I have been very lucky to work alongside amazing activists of different gender identities and expressions who are truly inspiring. I believe in the power of movements. When we all come together we can help each other and change the world

What are you hoping to achieve in your new role?
There is no short answer to this question. My primary goal is to help the ITF achieve its strategic goals. I believe that effective communication is an integral part of this. I’m hoping to elevate our online presence and ensure that we listen to trans communities and respond to their needs. I want ITF’s future and present grantee partners and funders to have easy access to all the information they need.

My other goal is to make sure that we give a platform to trans activists from diverse backgrounds and amplify their voices while also prioritizing their safety above all.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time, I like running in a park and cooking dishes of Central Asian cuisine such as lagman and plov.

One Week to Apply to Become a Member of the GMP

Deadline to apply: January 17, 2022

What past GMP members have said about the experience:

“The thing I appreciate most about the ITF is that it is run only by trans people, and that makes our entire process so unique from other funders. Being in a space that only has other trans individuals was freeing. (…It’s) amazing to hear and read about all the work that’s been done (and is being done) around the world for trans people, by trans people. It feels very empowering and makes me feel hopeful for the future.” – Mikee Inton

“It was a great challenge, because we had to provide grants to so few movements in the trans world with so many different needs. I wish there were a lot more funding, so that we could support more communities. On a personal level, it provided great satisfaction, knowing that even in a small part, it contributed to improving the quality of lives of my peers quite a bit.” – Alex Castillo

The ITF is looking for committed, collaborative and experienced trans activists to join our Grant Making Panel (GMP) for a two-year term. We are a participatory grantmaking fund that takes an activist-led approach that engages trans people in our grantmaking process. This means that trans people are actively involved at every stage, from determining funding priorities to reviewing applications and making decisions about which groups get funded. The role of the GMP is to review grant proposals submitted to the ITF and make decisions on these grant applications in line with our priorities and principles.

GMP members must be able to attend and actively participate in an annual 6-day in person or virtual meeting, participate in online trainings each year and review 30-50 applications. We are deeply committed to ensuring that trans community members who are most affected by intersecting oppressions are able to participate in this process. GMP members will receive an honorarium of USD$1000 each year of their term and will also receive travel expenses, including per diem, to attend ITF meetings.

The deadline to apply is January 17, 2022. If you are interested, you can learn more here.