Frequently Asked Questions

We provide:

• Free chest binders and free femme shapewear, mailed discretely to recipients in all 50 states and around the world. These garments help trans folks live more safely, comfortably, and authentically and come at no cost to recipients.
• Access to permanent hair removal services for trans folks, often considered a cosmetic luxury and unaffordable for many in our community.
• Access to gender-affirming surgery and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for trans folks, many of whom lack the financial resources and/or inclusive health insurance coverage needed to obtain healthcare.

The vast majority of recipients are trans youth, folks living with disabilities/chronic illness, and folks living in rural/unaffirming regions.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old by your surgery date. There is no upper limit for age.

We understand the challenges of debt and medical loans that so many of us deal with in order to afford care. Unfortunately, no; at this time, our grants are paid directly to health care providers specifically for the procedure itself, before it takes place. We cannot apply grant awards toward transportation, lodging, general expenses or (for international applicants) getting a visa and other logistical expenses.

Yes; if you have a surgery date scheduled, there is an option to include that in your application. Because of the time it takes our volunteers to review the high number of applications we receive each year, however, we can not fund applicants who are having surgery in the months of November–February of the current cycle. So, when you submit an application in November, your surgery would need to be scheduled on or after March 1 of the following year in order to receive funding.

We strongly encourage you to review our Instruction Packet, which walks you through each question of the application with tips. Ultimately, our reviewers are looking for thorough responses that answer each question with specific examples and detailed explanations. 

Unfortunately, no. Our team does not have the expertise or ability to provide referrals or recommendations for trans-affirming surgeons. Every person's surgery goals and priorities are unique. So many factors – a given surgeon's specialty or expertise, the procedure type that's right for you, whether or not you're willing/able to travel for surgery – means that finding a surgeon is a highly individualized decision. Therefore, you will ultimately be the best judge of who your provider should be. We recommend that you reach out to local LGBTQ+ centers and trans support groups, as well as your current healthcare providers and/or insurance company (if applicable), for recommendations to help you as you research.

We recognize there may be barriers that prevent someone from submitting an application on their own without help. You may submit an application on behalf of someone else only if you are working directly with the applicant and clearly reference their involvement in completing the application. (For example, if you are providing technological support, language translation, or other assistance on behalf of the applicant, please note your role and that the applicant is still the primary author of their responses.) However, you may not submit an application without the applicant's involvement. (For example, applying for a loved one without their knowledge.) While we understand the desire to surprise someone with a grant, our process builds on the fundamental idea that trans people are our own best advocates: we want to ensure that this belief is reflected throughout the application process.

Grant awards vary widely. The fund covers a high percentage (70-97%) of your total surgical, anesthesia, and facility fees. You will be responsible for a smaller percentage of your care, with a maximum out-of-pocket expense specified in your recipient agreement. You should expect to cover travel fees, lodging, food expenses, time away from work, postoperative nursing care (when required), and certain postoperative medications. 

We recognize there may be barriers that prevent someone from submitting an application on their own without help. You may submit an application on behalf of someone else only if you are working directly with the applicant and clearly reference their involvement in completing the application. (For example, if you are providing technological support, language translation, or other assistance on behalf of the applicant, please note your role and that the applicant is still the primary author of their responses.) However, you may not submit an application without the applicant's involvement. (For example, applying for a loved one without their knowledge.) While we understand the desire to surprise someone with a grant, our process builds on the fundamental idea that trans people are our own best advocates: we want to ensure that this belief is reflected throughout the application process.

• For current customers: if awarded funding, your 12-month grant period will go into effect immediately. Billing will pause for the duration of the grant period, and will resume again when the grant period ends.
• For past customers: if awarded funding, your account will be reactivated, and your 12-month grant period will go into effect for your next billing cycle and continue for 12 months. When the grant period ends, billing will resume. (You may have to re-authorize your payment details on file in order to continue your subscription.)

We recognize there may be barriers that prevent someone from submitting an application on their own without help. You may submit an application on behalf of someone else only if you are working directly with the applicant and clearly reference their involvement in completing the application. (For example, if you are providing technological support, language translation, or other assistance on behalf of the applicant, please note your role and that the applicant is still the primary author of their responses.) However, you may not submit an application without the applicant's involvement. (For example, applying for a loved one without their knowledge.) While we understand the desire to surprise someone with a grant, our process builds on the fundamental idea that trans people are our own best advocates: we want to ensure that this belief is reflected throughout the application process.

We recognize there may be barriers that prevent someone from submitting an application on their own without help. You may submit an application on behalf of someone else only if you are working directly with the applicant and clearly reference their involvement in completing the application. (For example, if you are providing technological support, language translation, or other assistance on behalf of the applicant, please note your role and that the applicant is still the primary author of their responses.) However, you may not submit an application without the applicant's involvement. (For example, applying for a loved one without their knowledge.) While we understand the desire to surprise someone with a grant, our process builds on the fundamental idea that trans people are our own best advocates: we want to ensure that this belief is reflected throughout the application process.

We strongly encourage you to review our Instruction Packet, which walks you through each question of the application with tips. Ultimately, our reviewers are looking for thorough responses that answer each question with specific examples and detailed explanations. 

Unfortunately, no. Our team does not have the expertise or ability to provide referrals or recommendations for providers. Every person's healthcare goals and priorities are unique, so selecting a provider becomes a highly individualized decision. Therefore, you will ultimately be the best judge of who your provider should be. We recommend that you reach out to local LGBTQ+ centers and trans support groups, as well as your current healthcare providers and/or insurance company (if applicable), for recommendations to help you as you research.

It is extremely rare that we pay recipients directly. In the rare instances that we do, we communicate this information with you before acceptance of a grant award.

If payment to you exceeds $600.00 in a tax year, Point of Pride may be required to report the payment(s) to the IRS. If Point of Pride must report payments, you will be notified via email before exceeding the $600.00 threshold and may be required to fill out an IRS form W-9, which will require your social security number. If you choose not to provide the form W-9, Point of Pride will not issue any further payments beyond $599.00 payment. It is your responsibility to report all income to the IRS on required tax forms.

Any payments made in this manner may count as income and may affect income-driven statuses, including, but not limited to, your disability or social security benefits and your income tax bracket. Point of Pride recommends that you consult with a tax or benefits professional familiar with your unique situation and benefits before accepting payments through this program. It is your responsibility to report all income to the IRS on required tax forms.

Yes, so long as it is not for surgery, HRT, permanent hair removal services, free chest binders, and free femme shapewear garments. For those types of care, we require you to please apply through our respective programs. As a reminder, the Thrive Fund prioritizes purchases or services that happen one time or have clearly defined start and end dates, though you may still apply if you are seeking ongoing services.

Yes. If you’re under 18, you will be required to list your parent or legal guardian as a support person on your application. Depending on the type of care or service you request, we may require additional information and/or consent from your guardian(s.) If that is the case, we will contact you to request signed documentation from your guardian(s.)  

Due to our non-profit status, at this time, the Thrive Fund is limited to applicants who live in the United States. We hope to expand some or all coverage to serve people outside of the US in the future.

You will receive an email from an "@pointofpride.org" account in 4-12 weeks following the end of the application period. (Please check your spam folder and the quota limit on your inbox to make sure it hasn’t been filtered or bounced back. You may need to search for email accounts that end in “@pointofpride.org” or update your settings to allow emails from “@pointofpride.org” accounts.)

Typically, recipients are selected within 4-12 weeks of the application cycle ending. Our non-profit is primarily volunteer-operated, so sometimes it can take longer as we process the high volume of applications. We appreciate your patience!

We recognize so many of us have multiple, concurrent healthcare needs. However, we only accept one application for a single need per funding cycle.

If you are not selected for funding, you are welcome to apply again in the future. 2024 marks the first year of this pilot program, so please stay tuned for dates and any changes to the funding parameters of the program.

If you are selected for funding, you are welcome to apply again in the future but for a different healthcare need.

Unfortunately, no. At this time, Point of Pride only awards financial assistance to individuals seeking aid for themselves.

95% of the binders we mail out are new or gently used binders from one of the following manufacturers: For Them, gc2b, Spectrum Outfitters, TomboyX, and Underworks. We allow you to select your preferred manufacturer, size, style (half or full) and color, but we can’t always guarantee that you'll receive the style or color you request. We guarantee you’ll receive a binder in the size you need and by the manufacturer you select, since each manufacturer uses a unique size chart.

Packaging for our mailed garments is extremely discreet. Your items will be shipped in a plain white mailing envelope. The sender’s name is “Point of Pride.” Nothing with the words “LGBT” or “trans” appear on the packaging. To comply with US Postal Regulations, we cannot change the sender name on the package.

The package is flexible and will fit inside of most PO Boxes. For street address deliveries, it is usually left inside the mailbox (or on the porch/inside the door in the rare event that the mailbox is too small). Signature is not required.

US Recipients: USPS offers a product called Informed Delivery, which will alert the account holder of upcoming mail and packages to the registered address. These notifications sometimes become available as soon as the label is generated. There is no way for us to be able to tell if an address is registered for Informed Delivery and if someone is receiving notifications about upcoming packages.

If international, the customs form will list the contents as an “undershirt” and will have the item marked as a gift, but you’ll still want to check with your country’s customs office for how the customs process may affect you. Many of the provided tracking numbers stop working once the package leaves the US, so you may want to check with your local postal service to determine the best method for tracking your package once it’s left the US.

The package will contain your binder, an informational card on safer binding techniques, 1-2 stickers, and a note of support meant to brighten your day (written by other trans people, volunteers, and community members.)

We recommend you follow your binder manufacturer's instructions, which typically instruct you to hand wash and hang to dry by air. You can use cold or warm water to wash your binder. Lather it with some dish soap or laundry detergent, then rinse thoroughly. If you wash it in the evening and leave it out to dry, it should ready to wear by morning. If you need to dry it using a machine, use a delicates bag to ensure your binder doesn’t get damaged or caught on other clothes.

• Multiple binders for laundry day
• Multiple colors needed/wanted
• Multiple sizes needed/wanted

• you received it through us in the mail (In other words, we cannot replace binders you purchased or received from other non-profit organizations, businesses, or programs. We also cannot replace binders you claimed from a Point of Pride table at in-person LGBTQ+ events);
• your binder was delivered within the last 24 months;
• you contact us. We will ask you to email 2-3 photos that show your binder is no longer wearable or safe.

Packaging for our mailed garments is extremely discreet. Your items will be shipped in a plain white mailing envelope. The sender’s name is “Point of Pride.” Nothing with the words “LGBT” or “trans” appear on the packaging. To comply with U.S. Postal Regulations, we cannot change the sender name on the package.

The package is flexible and will fit inside of most PO Boxes. For street address deliveries, it is usually left inside the mailbox (or on the porch/inside the door in the rare event that the mailbox is too small). Signature is not required.

US Recipients: USPS offers a product called Informed Delivery, which will alert the account holder of upcoming mail and packages to the registered address. These notifications sometimes become available as soon as the label is generated. There is no way for us to be able to tell if an address is registered for Informed Delivery and if someone is receiving notifications about upcoming packages.

If international, the customs form will list the contents as “underwear” and will have the item marked as a gift, but you’ll still want to check with your country’s customs office for how the customs process may affect you. Many of the provided tracking numbers stop working once the package leaves the US, so you may want to check with your local postal service to determine the best method for tracking your package once it’s left the US.

The package will contain your garment, an informational card on safer tucking techniques, 1-2 stickers, and a note of support meant to brighten your day (written by other trans people, volunteers, and community members.)

We recommend you follow your gaff manufacturer's instructions, which typically instruct you to wash in cold water and hang to dry by air.  If you need to dry it using a machine, use a delicates bag to ensure your gaff doesn’t get damaged or caught on other clothes.

• Multiple gaffs for laundry day
• Multiple colors needed/wanted
• Multiple sizes needed/wanted