EMPOWERMENT
MICROGRANT PROGRAM
PROVIDING A PATHWAY TO FINANCIAL LIBERATION
QLN’s Empowerment Microgrant Program offers direct, no-strings-attached financial support to queer and trans individuals facing hardship. Through our General Assistance Fund, individuals can receive up to $500 annually to help cover urgent needs like medical costs, gas, or other essentials. Our Rental Assistance Fund will have a higher cap, with payments made directly to landlords to ensure housing stability. By easing financial burdens, we help LGBTQIA2+ folx move toward greater security, independence, and empowerment.
Trans Lifeline Hotline at (877) 565-8860
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The Trevor Project (ages 13-24): Text START to 678678 or dial 1-866-488-7386
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LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
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Trans Lifeline Hotline at (877) 565-8860 | The Trevor Project (ages 13-24): Text START to 678678 or dial 1-866-488-7386 | LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564 |
Please note: We are currently able to offer Empowerment Microgrants only to people living in Texas.
This helps ensure we can support folx in our immediate community with the resources we have right now. We expect to grow our capacity and reach more regions soon — thank you for understanding.
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General Assistance Fund
Our General Assistance Fund offers immediate financial relief for a range of everyday and emergency needs—covering essentials like utility bills and healthcare-related costs, as well as everyday, quality of life costs like groceries, gas, and meals. QLN isn’t here to judge or dictate your financial decisions—whether you need help with medical debt, pet costs, or other critical moments, we want to have the back of queer and trans individuals in need a financial lifeline.
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Rental Assistance Fund
Queer and trans individuals experience housing insecurity at disproportionately high rates. Our Rental Assistance Fund offers direct financial support for housing-related needs—including rent, utilities, security deposits, and renter’s insurance—with payments made directly to landlords or service providers. This fund is designed to prevent displacement and create a more stable foundation for our community members to thrive.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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General Eligibility
Must identify as LGBTQIA2+
Must live in Texas (we’ll expand this resource soon!)
Must demonstrate financial need
Must disclose any previous aid received from QLN
Restrictions
General Assistance Fund: Provides direct support to individuals. The maximum amount awarded for utility bills or healthcare costs is $125 per person per request ($500 per person, per calendar year). Everyday, undefined costs may be funded at $50 per request, if approved.
Rental Assistance Fund: $500 per request, available to be applied to 4 times per year; however, all funds are paid directly to the landlord or housing provider on behalf of the recipient.
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Applications for our General Assistance Fund are open! We can’t wait to support our community through this next chapter.
Our Rental Assistance Fund will launch in Summer 2026.
Sign up for direct aid updates to be the first to know!
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Please be patient with us as we process direct aid applications. We are an incredibly small team and are doing our best to process requests in a timely manner.
If you are concerned about the status of your application, please feel free to email us.
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The Empowerment Microgrant Program is fueled by grassroots donors, generous major gifts, foundation support, and community-driven fundraising.
We’re always seeking new partners to help us grow this work and expand our impact. If you’re a business or organization and want to help, please join the QLN Partner Program.
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Yes. The General Assistance Fund offers up to $125 per person per request for utility bills and healthcare costs, and $50 per person per request for everyday, undefined costs (up to $500 per person per calendar year).
The Rental Assistance Fund will be non-negotiable at $500 per request (limit of 4 times per calendar year), with funds paid directly to landlords.
Support depends on availability, and while we can’t guarantee aid for every request, we’re committed to helping as many community members as possible with the resources we have.
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Donate by clicking the button at the top of the screen! Talk about QLN with your friends and spread the word about this resource.
