The NYC Unity Project and The NYC Mayor's Office of Equity Announce Open Applications For The Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary (TGNCNB) Innovation Grants ("NYC Unity Grant")

NYC Unity Grants will provide $183,500 for a first-of-its kind pilot, capacity building grant initiative with strategic trainings and technical support

NEW YORK - The NYC Unity Project and NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity announce the NYC Unity Grants, the City's first-ever capacity building grant program investing in the Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary (TGNCNB) serving organizations. In partnership with the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes and Destination Tomorrow, this critical funding will further the ability of TGNCNB organizations with a strong record of leadership and service to continue supporting their communities, now and in the future.

TGNCNB-serving nonprofits are a critical lifeline for the community. However, these organizations are historically under resourced. The NYC Unity Grants program invests in the sustainability of TGNCNB-serving organizations by centering community-identified needs, and equitable, effective service delivery.

"With the creation of the NYC Unity Grants, this first of its kind pilot will serve and support the Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary community," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "This program is proof that investing in the sustainability of TGNCNB serving organizations by providing funding, training, technical support, and comprehensive services will make our city more inclusive and viable. The interagency collaboration ensures our city works together for the good of all New Yorkers."

"The Adams Administration holds diversity and intersectionality as core to our values," said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. "Building on our initial investment of nearly $6.7 million in the NYC Unity Project’s new and expanded services, NYC Unity Grants announcement reaffirms our commitment to providing funding for vital services in health, mental health, rights advocacy, and other essential services. This administration will continue to stand in solidarity with the TGNCNB community and advocate for a more equitable New York City."

"The Mayor's Office of Equity is proud to nurture and grow the work of the NYC Unity Project to meet the needs of our city's vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community," said Mayor's Office of Equity Commissioner Sideya Sherman. "New Yorkers who identify as TGNCB are often at greater risk of harm and mistreatment, economic hardship, and various forms of discrimination. With these grants, grassroots TGNCB-serving non-profits can increase their organizational power and strengthen their impact."

"With this initiative, the NYC Unity Project, Unity Project TGNCNB Working Group, Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and the Mayor’s Office of Equity aspire to cultivate community-identified TGNCNB needs, effective service delivery, and long-term sustainability and development of New York City’s TGNCNB-serving organizations,” said Ronald Porcelli, Acting Executive Director of the NYC Unity Project. "Capacity building in nonprofits focuses on efforts to build organizations to greater, sustainable success. Developed in response to concerns voiced at the Mayor’s Transgender People of Color Roundtable, this initiative is designed to uplift Gotham’s TGNCNB community."

"As Chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity and co-Chair of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus, I feel double excitement for the TGNCNB-serving organizations who will see their capacity increase thanks to these new Unity Grants," said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. "As our beloved TGNCNB siblings come under intense attack all over the country, it is very gratifying to know that this vital programming will get the boost it so desperately needs, and so richly deserves. I can't wait to see which groups apply and receive the grants, and what wonderful work they will be able to do as a result."

“The local organizations providing care to our TGNCNB neighbors are vital to the wellbeing of our City and paramount to fulfilling our commitment to fostering just, inclusive, and equitable communities for all,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson, Co-Chair of the Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus. “Unity Grants will help groups providing this critical care to our communities strengthen and expand their programming and allow them to continue their work in a time when the rights of TGNCNB folks across the country are being undermined. This is a much-needed initiative, and I’m eager to see our communities strengthened as a result of it.”

“Today’s announcement reaffirms this administration’s commitment to improving and expanding services and support for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary New Yorkers,” said Hassan Naveed, Executive Director of the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. “The NYC Unity Project Innovation Grants are pivotal in the fight against anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and violence. This funding will bolster TGNCNB-serving partners with the resources needed to help the community thrive.”

“Destination Tomorrow is pleased to have been selected as the grants manager for the Unity Grants Program, a capacity building grant for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming/Nonbinary (TGNCNB) serving organizations that will provide TGNCNB leaders with the support needed to advance their missions,” said Sean Ebony Coleman, Founder and Executive Director of Destination Tomorrow. “Too often, TGNCNB leaders, in particular Black and Brown TGBCNB leaders, lack the necessary resources to build sustainable organizations. By providing funding coupled with coaching, trainings and technical assistance, we are hopeful to create viable Black and Brown TGNCNB organizations and develop their leadership. We look forward to building out this effort with the support of the Mayor’s Office of Equity, the Office of the Prevention of Hate Crimes and the Unity Project.”

Through a multi-pronged approach NYC Unity Grants will provide:

grants to support organizational development and services,
orientation and comprehensive training for selected grantees, and
a learning community of organizations to grow, test, and innovate together.

Training workshops topics will include human resources, fiscal management, service provision, funding diversification, and more. Through this model, grantees will be supported in enhancing organizational processes, leadership development, and long-term sustainability.

Proposed capacity-building projects may include, strategic planning, improving the quality of and/or expanding service delivery, volunteer recruitment and management, communications, and outreach strategy development, and building long-term development strategies.

How to Apply: www.NYC.Gov/UnityGrants.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Must be 501c3 nonprofit or an organization with a fiscal sponsor, based in NYC, and serving NYC TGNCNB residents.
Must demonstrate strong TGNCNB leadership.
Must demonstrate use of grant funding for capacity building projects.
Must conclude funded projects by June 30, 2023.
For more information on the application process and application criteria, please visit: www.NYC.Gov/UnityGrants.

Application deadline is March 17, 2023.