Introducing: The Pay It Forward Fund
Free Financial Coaching for people who live in red* states
Hello to the 1,517 hotties who subscribe to this newsletter! Thank you for being here.
The day after the election, I hosted a 45-minute coworking session with my group coaching clients — about 10 queer & trans folx across the US.
Together, we organized our budgets, business plans, and savings goals. One client from Colorado wrote me an email afterward:
Subject: Thank you
Hi Leo, I just wanted to let you know how much it meant to me to just sit with a bunch of queer and trans people today while we silently spent a little bit of time and energy investing in our futures. It was the moment I didn’t know I needed while the future is so uncertain and scary.
I feel so honored to be a source of stability and optimism for my clients right now.
I’m also acutely aware that the people who need to access financial services the most can’t actually afford to get the support they need. Specifically, I’m talking about queer & trans folx:
living in states that ban gender-affirming healthcare
living paycheck-to-paycheck
struggling to save the first $1,000 of their emergency savings fund
juggling multiple high-interest credit cards
seeking financial independence from parents or partner(s) who aren’t supportive of their gender identity or sexuality
With an upcoming Trump presidency, queer & trans folx are facing more financial instability than ever.
This is why I started a yearlong project called The Pay It Forward Fund.
Here’s how it works:
Queer & trans people (or parents of trans kids) living in states where anti-trans legislation has been introduced or passed can apply to receive free financial coaching using this link.
Community members fund free sessions through donations. If you want to become a monthly supporter, email me at leo@queerandtranswealth.org.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll release a report every 2 weeks that includes:
how many people applied to receive free services
their top financial concerns
how much money we’ve raised
how many people we’re able to serve
Who’s eligible?
Queer & trans people living in the following states:
High priority: Texas, Florida
Second priority: Montana, Idaho, Utah, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, North Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana
Third priority: Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, South Carolina, New Hampshire
Fourth priority: Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia
These states are listed as moderate to high risk in Erin Reed’s Anti-Trans Legislative Risk Assessment Map.
Queer & trans people who want to move to safer states where their rights are still protected
Trans people who are saving for gender-affirming surgery
Parents of trans children who want to move to safe states
The scholarship will remain active until December 18, 2025. Apply here.
You only need to apply once. If you’re not selected, we will keep your info on file for the next round of applications.
Frequently asked questions (for applicants)
Can I apply if I don’t want to leave my home state?
Absolutely. We respect the fact that not all people who live in the states listed above want to leave.
We acknowledge that improving your financial well-being will relieve any pressure you’re feeling, whether you decide to stay in your home state or move to a different one. We’re here to support you.
I live in a safe state, but I still struggle with finances. Can I apply?
If you live in a state that is not on the list above, you’re not eligible to receive free coaching through this fund.
I’m not queer or trans. Do I qualify to receive free sessions?
Cisgender & straight parents of trans youth are welcome to apply. Other than that, no, you do not qualify.
I applied. How long do I have to wait to receive services?
It depends on how many people apply during a given time. Whether or not you’re selected, you’ll receive a status update via email every two weeks.
The application asks if I can afford any part of the fee. What if I can’t afford to pay anything?
That’s totally fine! If you can pay part of the fee ($25, $50, $75, or $100), your payment will go back into the Pay It Forward Fund so that someone else can receive services.
Frequently asked questions (for donors)
How do I fund scholarships?
As of November 20, 2024, Leo can only provide 5 fully-funded 1-hour coaching sessions. The last time Queer & Trans Wealth offered scholarships, 65 people applied for 2 spots.
Allies, accomplices, and others looking to redistribute their wealth are invited to fund financial coaching sessions on behalf of those who can’t afford them.
You can give starting at $10 or as much as $5,000 using this link.
How much is one full session?
A 1-hour session costs $175.
I can’t afford to fund a full session. Can I still donate?
Of course! The donation page allows you to donate $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $75, and $100.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
No. Queer & Trans Wealth is not a nonprofit organization.
Can I buy financial coaching sessions for a friend or loved one?
Yes. On the website, before the checkout page, there will be an option to specify if you’re buying sessions for someone else. It looks like this:
We’ll contact the person directly. They do not need to fill out the scholarship application.
You may buy financial coaching packages for loved ones who live in blue states outside of this fund. Contact leo@queerandtranswealth.org to set this up.
How do you select who will be receiving free sessions?
If a donor chooses to gift sessions to someone in particular, they will get their sessions right away.
Next, we review the following:
State: Does the applicant live in a state that recently passed anti-trans or anti-LGBTQ legislation?
People of color to the front
Concerns: People who need a financial plan to move to a different state or to fund gender-affirming surgery will be prioritized
Thank you in advance for supporting this project! And to those who are applying, I look forward to working with you.
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