Inside Advocacy Microgrants

The Microgrants Program and Inside Advocacy Program are paused until further notice, as we are unable to distribute microgrants at this time. Trans Lifeline is experiencing a period of financial uncertainty that has forced us to reduce the size and scope of our organization and temporarily pause some of our direct service programs. We are very hopeful that we will be able to resume distributing microgrants once we’ve had the chance to reassess the financial stability of the organization. You can read more about the circumstances that led to this decision here. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

Inside Advocacy: Supporting Trans Siblings Behind Bars

Trans Lifeline’s Inside Advocacy project provides financial aid and local resources to trans people currently incarcerated or recently released—from Commissary Microgrants for hygiene products, stamps, and food, to Post-Release Microgrants for rent and other re-entry needs.

Trans people, especially Black trans people, face disproportionate arrest rates and often endure mistreatment, diminished access to medications and gender-appropriate facilities, and physical and sexual trauma while incarcerated. We support prison abolition, and until these violent institutions are dismantled, we will continue working to uplift and empower those still inside by offering tangible support.

Until We’re All Free, our annual Holiday Commissary Campaign, partners with organizations fighting injustice, providing on-the-ground support, and advocating for our community on the inside.

Inside Advocacy is created and directed by trans people who the carceral state has directly impacted.

$529,296.50 has been given directly to our incarcerated trans siblings since 2017.

Commissary Microgrants

Provides commissary money for incarcerated trans people.

Inside Advocacy was initially born out of the need to support trans folks on the inside with material support in the form of commissary funds, which covers the cost of necessities such as hygiene products, stamps to send letters, phone calls, books, and increasing access to resources and support. Offering this support also reminds folks on the inside that people are thinking of them and that they aren’t forgotten. Our program coordinator maintains contact with folks on the inside via letter writing and phone calls.

Details:

  • $500 microgrant per person per year
  • Family, friends, and advocates can apply on behalf of a trans person on the inside
  • Apply as needed, as long as funds allow
  • An alert will post each year when funds are no longer available

Eligibility:

  • Identify as transgender and/or nonbinary
  • Currently incarcerated in the U.S. (city or county jail, immigration detention, juvenile detention, state or federal prison)

How to apply:

  • Send a letter via postal mail requesting a Commissary Microgrant that includes your name, committed name, age, pronouns, inmate ID number, address, payment method, and instructions for deposit to:
    Trans Lifeline
    Inside Advocacy
    548 Market St PMB 15337
    San Francisco, CA 94104-5401
  • If you are applying on behalf of a loved one, contact Inside Advocacy.

Post-Release Microgrants

Provides funds and resources for housing and basic re-entry needs.

We offer $1,500 per person microgrants directly to recently released folks to help them secure housing and meet other basic needs as they reintegrate into society. Along with the grant, we create a custom resource packet with info on advocacy, connecting them to services, providers, and community in the geographic area where they are being released.

Details:

  • $1,500 Post-Release Microgrant
  • Family, friends, and advocates can apply on behalf of a trans person on the inside nearing a release date
  • Prior recipients are not eligible to reapply
  • Apply as needed, as long as funds allow
  • Alert will post when funds are no longer available

Eligibility:

  • Identify as transgender and/or nonbinary
  • Formerly incarcerated in the U.S. (city or county jail, immigration detention, juvenile detention, state or federal prison)
  • Must have been released within the past year
Drawing of a butterfly flying out of a hole in a chainlink fence.

How to apply:

  • Send a letter via postal mail requesting a Post-Release Microgrant that includes your name, committed name, age, pronouns, inmate ID number, address, payment method, and instructions for deposit to:
    Trans Lifeline
    Inside Advocacy
    548 Market St PMB 15337
    San Francisco, CA 94104-5401
  • You can also apply by contacting Inside Advocacy.