Month: September 2025

Webinars for the 10th Grant Cycle

ITF’s 10th Grant Cycle will open on October 6, 2025. Are you planning to apply and wondering how to get started? We want to make the process as simple and accessible as possible. That’s why ITF is offering two different types of online sessions to support you.

Funding Webinars

Our Funding Webinars are designed to help you understand ITF’s grantmaking process.

What you learn

  • Eligibility Criteria and Funding Priorities.
  • Tips on writing a strong and competitive application.
  • The overall grantmaking cycle.

Who should attend

  • Applicants who have never applied for ITF funding before.
  • Organizations that are unsure if they meet the eligibility criteria.
  • Groups that have applied but were not selected for funding.

Application Walkthroughs

Our Application Walkthroughs provide a step-by-step guide through the entire application form.

What you Learn

  • Walk you through our grantmaking portal
  • Explain each section of the application
  • Share insider tips on what the review panel looks for in strong proposals.

Who should attend

  • Applicants who want to strengthen their application
  • Groups with limited experience writing grant proposals

Both sessions are excellent opportunities to gain clarity, build confidence, and improve your chances of success. Organizations are welcome to attend both funding webinars and Application Walkthrough.

Webinar Schedule

Funding Webinars

General Funding Webinar (English with Russian, French and Chinese translation)
Oct 6, 7am ET / 1pm South Africa / 6pm Bangkok, Thailand

Register here.

Webinar de Financiamiento general (Spanish)
Oct 6, 11am ET / 9am México DF / 12pm Santiago, Chile

Inscripción aquí.

Africa & Asia Focus Funding Webinar (English with Russian, French and Chinese translation)
Oct 7, 7am ET / 1pm South Africa / 6pm Bangkok, Thailand

Register here.

Webinar América Central y México (Spanish)
Oct 8, 11am ET / 9am México DF / 12pm Santiago, Chile

Inscripción aquí.

Caribbean (Regional) (English)
Oct 10, 11am ET / 11am Rep. Dominicana / 10am Jamaica

Register here.

Portuguese-speaking Webinar (Portuguese)
Oct 10, 3pm ET / 4pm ET Brasília / 8pm Luanda, Angola

Register here.

Application Walkthroughs

General Application Walkthrough (English with Russian, French and Chinese translation)
Oct 13, 7am ET / 1pm South Africa / 6pm Bangkok, Thailand

Register here.

General Application Walkthrough Session 1 (Spanish)
Oct 13, 11am ET / 9am México DF / 12pm Santiago, Chile

Inscripción aquí.

Africa & Asia Focused Application Walkthrough (English with Russian, French and Chinese translation)
Oct 15, 7am ET / 1pm South Africa / 6pm Bangkok, Thailand

Register here.

General Application Walkthrough Session 2
Oct 15, 11am ET / 9am México DF / 12pm Santiago, Chile

Inscripción aquí.

A Decade of Grantmaking – Be Part of the Next Chapter

Meghaphone with geometric patterns reads out "ITF's 10th Cycle is Here"

ITF is thrilled to announce that our 10th grant cycle opens on October 6, 2025. This much-anticipated year of grantmaking is an opportunity to join a decade-long journey of supporting and strengthening trans movements worldwide.

Over the past 10 years, we have moved $9.7 million in funding to 260 trans-led organizations across 104 countries. Each of these grants represents a commitment to the power and resilience of trans movements worldwide. We are proud to stand alongside our grantee partners as they do bold, transformative work in their own contexts. With this support, groups have amplified their voices, expanded their reach, built their capacities, mobilized their communities, and driven change that allows trans communities to blossom and live freely.

three trans people come together to create magic in the dark. Below them it reads CREATE YOUR PROFILE NOW.

As we move into our 10th grant cycle, we carry the stories, struggles, and victories of our grantee partners with us. Their work shapes our vision and transforms us as we continue to grow together.

Now we are excited to open our next grant cycle and invite trans-led groups into our grantmaking cycle, to embark on a journey of trans movement building together.

Applications will open from October 6 to December 1, 2025. In the meantime, you can set up or update your profile in our grants portal to prepare.

Applications will be accepted exclusively through ITF’s grants portal in English, French, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish. ITF will also share information about funding webinars, application walkthroughs, and other resources to guide you through the process.

Let us make this 10th year our most impactful yet. We cannot wait to see what we will build together.

Create or update your profile now.

In Loving Memory of Ymania Brown

A sepia photo of a smiling Ymania Brown taken in recent years. She is covered in illustrated leaves. Red flowers spring up from the bush and yellow butterflies fly around her. The background is a pale pink. The text reads "In loving memory of Ymania Brown"

ITF is deeply saddened by the passing of our former Co-Chair, Tuisina Ymania Brown. Ymania was a colleague, a friend, and a tireless community activist. A proud fa’afafine, trans woman from Samoa, she was a devoted single mother to two sons and a grandparent. She was an incredible force for global LGBTI movements and an advocate for transfeminist justice who worked at the intersection of trans, indigenous, spiritual, climate justice and human rights. Ymania was deeply cherished by countless friends and colleagues, who drew inspiration from her courage, her passion, and her fearless commitment to speaking the truth.

Ymania’s varied life experiences fueled her activism. After two decades practicing corporate law in Australia, she shifted paths and used her expertise to become a global human rights advocate. Over the next twenty years, she led international NGOs and advanced work on LGBTIQ rights, Indigenous justice, interfaith dialogue, environmental protection, and economic equity. Ymania was instrumental in campaigns urging the Samoan government to recognize adoption by LGBT individuals and to repeal laws criminalizing ‘impersonation of a woman.’ She championed economic empowerment and pressed Australia to include LGBT rights as a core part of its foreign policy. As a survivor of gender-based and anti-trans violence, abuse, and racial profiling, Ymania transformed her own experiences into powerful advocacy, bringing urgency and authenticity to every space she entered.

A quote by ITF Executive Director Broden Giambrone reads "We were utterly devastated to learn of Ymania’s passing. As a former Co-Chair of the ITF, Ymania was not just a leader but a driving force, fiercely committed to ensuring that trans communities worldwide not only survive but thrive. She brought a powerful and necessary voice to the global stage, speaking from the intersections of trans justice, Indigenous knowledge, spirituality, climate justice, and human rights. We not only mourn the loss of a great leader but also a role model and friend whose vision, courage, and humor is needed now more than ever."

At the time of her passing Ymania was serving as the Executive Director of TGEU and the Co-President of Inter-pride. She was also the former Co-Chair of ITF, Co-Secretary General of ILGA world, Advisory Board member at Astraea, Co-Chair of the Global Interfaith Network on SOGI, and Advisor to World Pride Copenhagen in 2021.

Ymania was deeply rooted in her First Nations Samoan identity, serving as a matai across four districts. She carried this grounding into her vision for a decentralized, global trans movement built on intersectional solidarity and collective power. ITF is profoundly grateful for her presence, her leadership, and her unwavering commitment to making the world safer, freer, and more just for trans people and all those facing oppression.Her loss is felt across movements and continents, but as she joins our pantheon of transcestors, her legacy will continue to guide and inspire us.

 

ITF is looking for new GMP members! (Deadline Extended to October 3rd!)

A black and white megaphone has a speech bubble which says

As  a trans-led and participatory grantmaking organization we are seeking 2 new GMP members! We are looking for activists either based in OR primarily organizing within West and Central Africa (WCA) OR Eastern Europe & Central Asia to join our Grant Making Panel (GMP). If you are a trans activist committed to global changemaking, then the participatory Grant Making Panel is an opportunity for you to help shape global funding for trans-led movements.

In your role as a GMP member you will be responsible for reviewing eligible applications, making collective funding decisions consistent with the values, missions and priorities of ITF. Join us now in shaping the future of trans movement building! 

The post reads

Apply to be part of our co-created, diverse fund.
https://internationaltransfund.bamboohr.com/careers/26

Application deadline: September 29, 2025

Working languages: We accept applications in English, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish. Please note, however, that applicants must be comfortable speaking, reading, writing, and working in English and/or Spanish, as these are ITF’s working languages. At this time, we are unable to provide translation or interpretation in French or Russian during related GMP meetings and communications.

1. About the ITF
The International Trans Fund (ITF) is a participatory grantmaking fund led by trans activists and donors. We resource trans-led groups globally to advance human rights, self-determination, well-being, and movement power. We have a specific focus on supporting groups with limited access to funding.

2. Open Seats (2 Positions Only)
This round seeks two (2) new GMP members from the following regions:

  1. West & Central Africa (WCA)
  2. Eastern Europe & Central Asia (EECA)

Please apply only if you are based in or primarily organize within one of the two regions listed above.

3. Profile of the Activists we are seeking
Before deciding to apply, please confirm that:

  • You are committed to advancing trans rights and building sustainable trans movements.
  • Your peers consider you credible and trustworthy.
  • You value participatory grantmaking and collective, movement-accountable decision-making.

4. What “trans” means at ITF
We use “trans” as a political term for people whose gender identity or expression differs from their sex assigned at birth, including binary and non-binary identities and culturally specific identities worldwide. We do not privilege any identity or terminology over another.

5. Role of the GMP
The GMP reviews eligible applications and makes funding decisions consistent with ITF’s mission, values, and priorities. Decisions of the GMP are final, pending Board ratification.

6. Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the Grant Making Panel are to:

  • Participate in online GMP training.
  • Join one annual 6-day in-person meeting (location varies) or a virtual equivalent.
  • Take part in online discussions and at least 75% of scheduled online meetings.
  • Lead grantmaking tasks:
    • Encourage trans communities to apply.
    • Review, score, and provide feedback on applications.
    • Make collective funding decisions.
    • Recommend grantmaking priorities and advise on strategy as relevant.
  • Strictly uphold ITF confidentiality and conflict-of-interest policies.

7. Time Commitment

  • Annual training: 3–5 hours.
  • Application review: 30–50 applications over ~6 weeks (~50 hours/year).
  • Annual meeting: 6 days + travel (in-person or virtual).

8. Candidate Qualifications

Essential

  • Identify as trans.
  • Candidates must be based in or currently living in West & Central Africa or Eastern Europe & Central Asia. Applicants not residing in these regions must demonstrate substantial professional experience and knowledge of these regions.
  • Minimum 3 years of direct trans activism, ideally as a regional and/or international level.
  • Recognized by trans activists in your region as a community activist/leader.
  • Fluency (spoken and written) in English or Spanish and working knowledge (ability to read and review applications) in either French or Russian.
  • Able and willing to work in a diverse environment (activists and donors).
  • Passport enabling international travel (for in-person meetings).
  • Reliable in meeting tasks and deadlines.
  • Experience managing and reporting on grants for trans work.

9. Conflict of Interest
GMP members (and immediate family members) may not be significantly involved in any group applying to ITF during their tenure and may not benefit financially from assessed or existing ITF grants (See ITF Conflict of Interest Policy). Please note that this means that if you are part of/involved in an organization and selected as a member of the GMP, the organization will not be eligible to apply for grants during their tenure.

10. Term & Compensation

  • Term: Three (3) years, appointed by the Board.
  • Compensation: USD $1,500 per one-year grant cycle, plus travel costs and per diem to attend ITF meetings.

11. Selection Process
The Board will appoint two activists—one from WCA and one from EECA—with attention to diversity across gender identities/expressions and inclusion of further-marginalized groups within trans communities. We higly encourage urge trans men and trans masculine folks to apply.

12. How to Apply

Please submit an application in BambooHR by October 3rd, 2025.

During the application process, we will ask for information about:

  • Your region (WCA or EECA) and primary countries of work.
  • Your movement roles/experience (3+ years).
  • Any relevant grantmaking, community accountability, or governance experience.
  • Languages spoken/written.
  • Any potential conflict-of-interest considerations.

We intend to inform all candidates of our decisions by December 1, 2025.