PFund Announces its first round of TRANSCEND Grants
Minneapolis, March 31 2023: PFund Foundation this morning made its first-ever round of TRANSCEND grants. The funds are being distributed to organizations doing on-the-ground work to help transgender and gender-expansive youth access the affirming medical care and safe schools that every child deserves.
TRANSCEND is a community-based, rapid-response campaign to help counter the unprecedented number of anti-trans bills being passed across the Upper Midwest.
Powered by peer-to-peer fundraisers from across the region, in its first three weeks the TRANSCEND Campaign has raised more than $20,000 from 200+ donors.
“In the Upper Midwest we understand the importance of being good neighbors,” said PFund Foundation executive director Aaron Zimmerman. “Right now, many transgender youth and families in our region are under attack and need help to travel to bordering states to receive necessary healthcare or education in a safe environment. The TRANSCEND Campaign is a powerful example of LGBTQ+ and allied communities working together to rise above hate.”
As a result of this community generosity, PFund is able to distribute $15,000 in grants. The inaugural round of TRANSCEND grants are being made to the following organizations:
Family Tree Clinic is a Minneapolis-based healthcare provider known as a regional leader in providing gender-affirming care. Family Tree is anticipating an influx of out-of-state gender-expansive patients and will be using its grant funds to provide comfortable, competent, and accessible gender-affirming care.
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is dedicated to increasing the visibility of human rights needs and violations and to change laws and attitudes that stand as barriers to residents within North Dakota who do not currently enjoy their full rights. TRANSCEND funds will assist the organization in coordinating the on-the-ground response in North Dakota to the state’s hostile political climate for transgender youth.
Minnesota Online High School is an online public high school that is proudly queer-affirming and committed to fostering a learning community that is safe, welcoming, and free of stigma for LGBTQ+ students. TRANSCEND funds will be used to provide scholarships to out-of-state gender-expansive students who are not safe enrolling in their local school districts.
“PFund is dedicated to building an Upper Midwest where queer people can thrive,” said Zimmerman. “Collectively joining together to raise funds and support one another is at the core of what we do.”
About PFund: Founded in 1987, PFund Foundation builds equity with LGBTQ+ communities across the upper Midwest by providing grants and scholarships, developing leaders, and inspiring giving. PFund is the only LGBTQ+ community foundation serving the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the First Nations therein.
Media inquiries:
Kate Mohn
Director of Strategic Communications
kate@pfundfoundation.org
Aaron Zimmerman
Executive Director
aaron@pfundfounation.org
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