Call for ITF Board Members

The ITF is seeking applications from committed trans activists to join the Board of Directors. The deadline for submitting your application is October 21, 2024.

Applications can be submitted in either English or Spanish, the two official working languages of the ITF (Aquí está el post en español).

Before applying, these are the questions you should ask yourself:

• Are you a trans activist with a track record of working beyond your country or region?
• Do you have a passion for advancing trans rights and building sustainable global trans movements through participatory grantmaking?
• Do you have technical skills in the areas of finance, governance, legal, strategic thinking/decision-making, resource mobilization and fundraising, communications, and/or human resources?
• Are you deemed credible and trustworthy in the eyes of your peers and would you like to make decisions on how resources are allocated in our movements?

Background
Trans groups across the globe remain severely under-resourced and operate with limited or no budgets. The State of Trans Organizing, a survey of 455 trans organizations conducted in 2016 by AJWS (American Jewish World Service), GATE (Global Action for Trans Equality) and Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, found that two out of five trans groups had zero external funding and only 40% received foundation funding. Over half (56%) of trans organizations operated on a budget of less than USD$10,000 yearly and over three-quarters (78%) had annual budgets of less than USD$50,000. To address this disparity, a group of international trans activists and donors came together to create the ITF.

The ITF is a participatory grantmaking fund that aims to increase the capacity of the trans movement to self-organize and advocate for trans people’s rights, self-determination, and wellbeing. The mission of the ITF is to mobilize and facilitate sustainable resources for strong, trans-led movements and collective action, and to address and eliminate funding gaps impacting trans groups across the globe.

The purpose of the fund is to:

1. Build and Sustain the Fund | Build and sustain a mechanism to support trans-led groups of different sizes working on a range of issues at the international, regional, country and local levels, with a particular emphasis on groups with access to fewer resources.
2. Resource Trans Movements |  Increase resources and enhance access to resources to support trans movements, including: (i) Access to financial resources dedicated to trans-led organizations and groups through grantmaking; (ii) Access to non-financial resources for trans organizations, such as skills building, organizational strengthening, leadership development and activist support; and (iii) Access to other and new donors for trans organizations, beyond the ITF’s direct support.
3. Educate Philanthropic Community | Educate peers in the philanthropic community on trans issues and influence other funders and strategic allies in trans-related commitments and strategies.
   

What does “trans” mean to the ITF?
The ITF understands trans as a political term that defines the communities of people the ITF works with. We define trans as individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex assigned at birth. Some of these people identify and present themselves as male or female; others identify with a non-binary gender category. These identities or expressions include trans women, trans men, fa’afafine, leiti, fakafifine, akava’ine, mahu, vakasalewalewa, palopa, Sistergirls, Brotherboys, whakawahine, tangata ira tane, muxhe, omeguid, travesti, two spirit, hijra, bandhu, mangalamukhi, kinnar, thirunangai, thirunambi, khwaja sira, meti, katoey, waria, mak nyah, kua xing nan, trans laki-laki, transpinay, transpinoy, kwaasing-bit, and transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, gender non-binary, gender diverse, gender non-conforming, and agender people – to name just a few. 

As part of the ITF’s commitment to self-determination and decolonizing bodily oppressions, we are permanently committed and open to recognizing gender identities that emerge and that our communities claim within their socio-political contexts. These arise from the ongoing work of resistance and liberation that involves both the remembering and reimagining of gender identities and expressions.

ITF’s Grantmaking
The ITF is a participatory grantmaking fund and we take 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. All eligible applications that are submitted to the ITF are reviewed by our Grant Making Panel (GMP) and the Board ratifies these decisions.

Role of the Board of Directors
The ITF aims to have a minimum of 9 Directors, but cannot exceed 13 according to our Articles of Incorporation. Trans activists should constitute at least 75% of the Board of Directors and funders no more than 25% of the Board membership. The ITF has existed since 2016 but it became an independent entity in 2021 as a registered NPO in Canada. While the ITF is legally incorporated in Canada, Board members do not need to be Canadian citizens or residents of Canada. 

The role of the Board is to provide strategic governance and leadership to the ITF, as well as maintain legal and fiscal responsibility for the Fund’s activities. The Board of Directors has the following responsibilities:

• Provide strategic oversight and guidance.
• Ensure that the ITF meets its fiscal and legal obligations to relevant government and statutory bodies to ensure compliance and fulfillment of its fiduciary responsibility.
• Approve annual financial statements, annual budget, organizational level policies, and the annual report of the ITF.
• Adhere to confidentiality, ethics, and conflict of interest principles in and outside of the ITF at all times.
• Take due part in online discussions, email exchanges as well as participating in the regular annual in-person meeting as well as in at least 75% of online meetings.
• Elect the Co-chairs, Treasurer and Board secretary of the ITF Board from among the activist members of the Board.
• Appoint new Board members.
• Appoint members for the GMP.
• Ratify the grant docket as approved by the GMP.
• Determine the ITF’s grantmaking priorities in consultation with the GMP.
• Volunteer to lead and participate in standing Board Committees (e.g. Finance, HR) and ad hoc Working Groups based on technical skills and experience.
• Adhere to the ITF bylaws and other governing documents in conducting Board business.
• Support the staff in resource mobilization for the ITF.
• Make decisions on any item not delegated to any other body or staff of the ITF.
• Represent the ITF towards third parties when requested.
• Appoint the Executive Director if there is a vacancy.

In practical terms, Board members are expected to contribute to discussions and decision-making around strategic planning, priorities and guidelines for the ITF’s grantmaking and philanthropic advocacy. The Board provides financial oversight and supports the ITF in fundraising. Board members are also required to know and follow all internal policies and bylaws. 

Time Commitment
In order to fulfill this position, Board members must be able to commit to the following:

• Participate in 3-5 online meetings each year (please note that Board members are located in countries all over the globe – this means that meetings may be scheduled all hours of day and night as we strive to ensure time justice). 
• Attend and actively participate at one in-person meeting (5-6 days) each year.
• Participate in at least one Working Group and/or Committee. The time commitment varies but will not generally exceed 20 hours in the year.
• Review materials, participate in discussions, and make timely decisions.

Qualifications of the Candidate:
Candidates need to:

• Have at least 5 years of direct involvement with trans activism at the regional and/or international level.
• Have experience in decision-making bodies (e.g. Board or Steering Committees) composed of diverse stakeholders.
• Have experience with collective and participatory decision-making processes and be able and willing to work in a diverse environment that includes activists and donors.
• Have technical expertise and skills related to running a participatory grantmaking fund (e.g. finance, legal, governance, strategic thinking/decision-making, resource mobilization and fundraising, communications, and/or human resources).
• Be able to communicate and write in at least one of the ITF’s working languages (English or Spanish). We also welcome applicants with proficiency in other languages, particularly Chinese, French, and Russian.
• Hold a passport and be willing to travel internationally to attend Board meetings.
• Have a strong commitment to fulfill tasks and deadlines.

Conflict of Interest
Board members or their family members cannot be significantly involved in any group that is applying for funding from the ITF. Board members may not benefit financially from the grants assessed or existing ITF grants. Learn more about our Conflict of Interest policy here.

Timeframe
Board members will be appointed for a three-year term. The expected beginning of the engagement will be January 2025.

Performance Assessment
In order to ensure meaningful engagement and professional development opportunities, Board members participate in a self-assessment each year. 

Compensation
Board members will receive a remuneration of USD$1,500 per each year of their term. Members also receive reimbursement of travel expenses, including per diem, to attend ITF meetings.

How to Apply
To apply, please send a two page letter that includes the following information:

1. What is your motivation for joining the Board.
2. Describe your history and experience in trans activism.
3. Describe any boards or leadership position you have held.
4. Share any relevant technical expertise or skills that would benefit the ITF.
5. Describe your experience in contributing to strategic thinking and development processes.
6. How do you identify (please include SOGI, race, gender, and nationality) and any language skills you have.
7. Contact details for two references (these individuals should not be affiliated with the ITF).

Please send your letter and CV to [email protected] by October 21, 2024.