Michigan Trans Assistance Project - Washtenaw
Tax deductible
UPDATE 1/14/2022: For tracking purposes, we're closing this page. If you still wish to contribute funds, please use the new donation page for 2022 .
Hello!
Michigan Trans Assistance Project (MTAP) Washtenaw County is the first partnership between Ann Arbor's trans community and Canterbury House. Our mandate is simple: we want to directly connect trans people with the money they need to live their lives with as little delay as possible.
We'll be formalizing the project and the fund application process over the next couple weeks, but for now we need money. If you'd like to support our pilot effort and improve trans people's lives in Washtenaw County, Michigan, please donate!
***Canterbury House is a 501c3 and all donations are tax-deductible.***
Who are we?
The Michigan Trans Assistance Project (MTAP for short) is the brainchild of Vidhya Aravind and Carta Monir. As trans women of color living in Ann Arbor, we are acutely aware of the need for improved resources and support for trans people in Washtenaw County. We've partnered with Canterbury House, a 501c3 organization, to operate as a non-profit charity dedicated to connecting trans people with direct assistance.
Why Washtenaw County?
Although we hope to eventually extend our area of operation to all of Michigan, our current budget means that we need to start smaller. Washtenaw County is one of the most densely populated counties in Michigan, and is home to thousands of trans people in need of support.
Why this fund?
After attending a trans non-profit fundraiser last year, we noticed that people were incredibly willing to give money to lobbying groups and other trans related 501c3’s. This work is incredibly important, and needs to continue! But we were also frustrated knowing so many of our siblings locally were struggling to make rent, afford food, buy clothes, pay for medicine, etc. Direct aid has to exist alongside these larger lobbying projects in order to make sure every trans person is cared for. The hope is that by partnering with Canterbury House we can effectively use tax deductible donations to direct funds towards individual trans folks.
Why this goal?
We’re hoping to raise $10000 of seed money initially before launching applications so that we know we have the capacity to support the first batch of trans folks seeking funds. Eventually the hope is that our fund will continue to pay itself forward as trans people find themselves back on their feet and contribute back to the fund.
Isn’t just giving money away risky?
It’s not any riskier than trusting lobbying groups to take care of every trans community need! Even if direct aid gets misappropriated, the risk is worth the ability for trans folks to feel like they’re not being gatekept from basic levels of comfort, and to feel like they have agency over their own care.
What can I do?
Donate! Your donations are tax-deductible, which means your employer may also be willing to match your donation. Any money we raise is going directly to trans people in need.
How can I apply for funds through MTAP?
We'll be opening applications soon - please keep your eyes open and reach out to us at [email redacted] to be updated!
Hello!
Michigan Trans Assistance Project (MTAP) Washtenaw County is the first partnership between Ann Arbor's trans community and Canterbury House. Our mandate is simple: we want to directly connect trans people with the money they need to live their lives with as little delay as possible.
We'll be formalizing the project and the fund application process over the next couple weeks, but for now we need money. If you'd like to support our pilot effort and improve trans people's lives in Washtenaw County, Michigan, please donate!
***Canterbury House is a 501c3 and all donations are tax-deductible.***
Who are we?
The Michigan Trans Assistance Project (MTAP for short) is the brainchild of Vidhya Aravind and Carta Monir. As trans women of color living in Ann Arbor, we are acutely aware of the need for improved resources and support for trans people in Washtenaw County. We've partnered with Canterbury House, a 501c3 organization, to operate as a non-profit charity dedicated to connecting trans people with direct assistance.
Why Washtenaw County?
Although we hope to eventually extend our area of operation to all of Michigan, our current budget means that we need to start smaller. Washtenaw County is one of the most densely populated counties in Michigan, and is home to thousands of trans people in need of support.
Why this fund?
After attending a trans non-profit fundraiser last year, we noticed that people were incredibly willing to give money to lobbying groups and other trans related 501c3’s. This work is incredibly important, and needs to continue! But we were also frustrated knowing so many of our siblings locally were struggling to make rent, afford food, buy clothes, pay for medicine, etc. Direct aid has to exist alongside these larger lobbying projects in order to make sure every trans person is cared for. The hope is that by partnering with Canterbury House we can effectively use tax deductible donations to direct funds towards individual trans folks.
Why this goal?
We’re hoping to raise $10000 of seed money initially before launching applications so that we know we have the capacity to support the first batch of trans folks seeking funds. Eventually the hope is that our fund will continue to pay itself forward as trans people find themselves back on their feet and contribute back to the fund.
Isn’t just giving money away risky?
It’s not any riskier than trusting lobbying groups to take care of every trans community need! Even if direct aid gets misappropriated, the risk is worth the ability for trans folks to feel like they’re not being gatekept from basic levels of comfort, and to feel like they have agency over their own care.
What can I do?
Donate! Your donations are tax-deductible, which means your employer may also be willing to match your donation. Any money we raise is going directly to trans people in need.
How can I apply for funds through MTAP?
We'll be opening applications soon - please keep your eyes open and reach out to us at [email redacted] to be updated!
Organizer
Vidhya Aravind
Organizer
Ypsilanti, MI
Canterbury House
Beneficiary