COVID-19 RECOVERY FUND
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund began in 2020 as the COVID-19 Relief Program. We provided one-time direct relief of $500 to BLACK transgender or non-binary identified people. In 2020 we distributed more than $250,000 to 491 people. Our commitment is to always center the needs of those beyond the margins. Priority was given to BLACK trans women and those who have experience as sex workers, have been formerly incarcerated, and other vulnerable community members.
In 2021, we realized the pandemic wasn’t going to let up anytime soon. We saw and heard the need to continue our program and shifted into recovery mode. Through the COVID-19 Recovery Fund, we once again provided one-time direct relief of $500 or more to individuals in our community. We distributed $454,000 to 908 people across 42 states. We structured the program so that applicants didn’t have to demonstrate need or even tell us how funds would be used. Grantees received funds simply for BEING. They could use the money for whatever they needed.
Our Covid Recovery Program closed in December 2021. The Marsha P. Johnson Institute is currently working on even more ways to get resources directly into the hands of our brothers, sisters, and siblings in 2022 and beyond. Check out the Impact we made in 2021 here.
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