Leadership Development
BUILDING TRANS JUSTICE THROUGH TRANS LEADERSHIP
Leadership development among transgender communities is a core component of TSC’s work. Much of our work is focused on helping organizations grow and become increasingly effective and sustainable. But we know that this cannot happen without leaders who are supported, trained, and engaged in meaningful and relevant leadership development.
This means that there must be trans-designed and led trainings that meet the learning, professional development, and content needs of trans leaders, particularly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) leaders. We know that too often, leadership development trainings and models were not built for trans communities. For transgender participants, engaging in these trainings can feel unsatisfying, and even alienating. The only leadership development trainings TSC offers are trans-informed, designed, and led. We also offered individualized leadership coaching, based on individual needs and professional goals.
Below are examples of TSC leadership development efforts and partnerships:
Leadership development among transgender communities is a core component of TSC’s work. Much of our work is focused on helping organizations grow and become increasingly effective and sustainable. But we know that this cannot happen without leaders who are supported, trained, and engaged in meaningful and relevant leadership development.
This means that there must be trans-designed and led trainings that meet the learning, professional development, and content needs of trans leaders, particularly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) leaders. We know that too often, leadership development trainings and models were not built for trans communities. For transgender participants, engaging in these trainings can feel unsatisfying, and even alienating. The only leadership development trainings TSC offers are trans-informed, designed, and led. We also offered individualized leadership coaching, based on individual needs and professional goals.
Below are examples of TSC leadership development efforts and partnerships:
The Master Class
In partnership with the Holistic Empowerment Institute (HEI), an emerging organization founded and led by Valerie Spencer, TSC has incubated and piloted a unique and visionary leadership development model, The Master Class (TMC). The initial pilot was designed by and for trans women of color (TWOC).
Participants completed an 8-month program which included learning about leadership and related topics, self-reflections, mentorship, a service learning component, and real-life applications. The entire program applies an academic approach matched to the needs and interests of the participants. The initial pilot took place with grantees of AIDS United’s FREE initiative.
The Master Class empowers TWOC to not only step into leadership, but to step ahead as leaders. It is an opportunity for participants to put a plan in place to realize their professional aspirations, while also learning new skills and insights on self-care. The program is framed in a holistic approach, using whole-person, evidence based practices, cultural affirmation, and spirit as primary tools to empowerment. As Valerie states, “sing all of who we are we are building our leaders organically, culturally, professionally, and holistically.”
TMC includes a service-learning component that is designed by participants, as well as one-on-one mentoring. The Masterclass strengthens skills on topics including:
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Networking, communications, public speaking
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Grant-writing and fundraising
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Management/admin
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Self-care and healing
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Advocacy and campaign development
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Intersectional work
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Integrating racial justice
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Integrating Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (MIPA)
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Building confidence
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Building a vision and planning the path to achievement
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How to coalesce with other trans/community leaders
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Honoring individuality while understanding professional culture
The Transgender Strategy Fund
The primary aim of the Transgender Strategy Fund (TSF) is to support organizations and leaders who seek to elevate TGNC liberation in their work. This includes the realms of public health, harm reduction, policy and advocacy, social service and mutual aid provision, financial assistance, leadership development and mentorship, HIV prevention and care, and beyond.
See below and download the Request for Proposals (RFP) for more information
Open Grant
Initiative
TSC is offering funding through the Transgender Strategy Fund to support organizations and informal networks led by* and serving transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people
For assistance with registering for Good Grants, please email TSC at grantmaking@transgenderstrategy.org
Click below to register for Good Grants
and begin an application
Applicants must register in TSC's grants portal, Good Grants, to apply to a TSF Grant. You will use this login to apply for any TSC grant
TSF grants require applicants to submit a budget and a representation table
Budget
Please download this budget template if your organization does not currently have one. Applicants will be prompted to upload their budget in Good Grants
Representation Table
You can view an example of the representation table here! You do not need to fill this out – applicants will be prompted to enter the values directly into Good Grants
How to Apply to a TSF Grant
Open TSF Grant Initiative
TGNC Families
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is specific to supporting the health and wellbeing of current and future TGNC families through advocating for dignity, recognition, and rights across the nation.
TGNC Led
TSC uses the Trans Justice Funding Project definition of TGNC led organizations, which defines TGNC led as - “the majority of the people in charge of your group identify as trans or gender non-conforming."
Here “in charge” means :
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If you have a director, your director should identify TGNC
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If you have a board, a collective, or an advisory committee, the majority of staff, collective or committee members should identify TGNC.
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If you have a staff, the majority of staff members should identify as TGNC.
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If you are volunteer-run, the majority of your volunteer leaders should identify as TGNC.
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If your group has a TGNC-related program that includes trans or gender non-conforming leadership, but the majority of your organization’s leadership (director, staff, board, etc) do not identify as trans or gender non-conforming, your group is not TGNC-led.