About the program
Point of Pride’s Electrolysis Support Fund provides financial assistance towards permanent hair removal services (including electrolysis and laser hair removal) for trans folks who cannot otherwise afford them.
Requirements
We have very few requirements in an effort to be as inclusive as possible:
- You identify as transgender (FTM, MTF, non-binary, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and all other non-cis identities.)
- You have financial need that prevents you from affording hair removal services.
- You are 18 years old or older, or have consent from your parents and/or hair removal providers.
- For trans feminine applicants: You are seeking hair removal on your face, neck, or on an area of your body in preparation for bottom surgery.
- For trans masculine applicants: You are seeking hair removal on an area of your body in preparation for bottom surgery (phalloplasty or metoidioplasty) and have a surgery date estimated or officially scheduled.
Self-assessment
This program is intended to help trans folks who otherwise can not afford hair removal. We ask that you consider your access to healthcare before applying for this grant. Here are some questions to consider:
- Are you able to pay for hair removal services out of pocket?
- Are you employed and able to save some money towards hair removal services?
- Are you a citizen or documented immigrant?
- Do you identify as white, or do you experience white/light-skinned privilege?
If you answered YES to these questions, you may consider making space for our trans siblings who mostly answered NO. (Even if you answer YES to most or all of these questions, you are still eligible to apply.)
Info sessions
Point of Pride staff will host live "Before You Apply" info sessions to walk potential applicants through our requirements and processes, and answer questions. These are completely optional to attend and will not impact your application positively or negatively.
- Watch a previously recorded session (YouTube)
- Future info session dates TBD
Your privacy and security are our top priorities. Your personal information will be hidden from other participants. Your video and microphone will be disabled. You won't have access to view or interact with other attendees. Instead, you can communicate only with staff via private chat.
The webinar will include automatically generated captions with Zoom's built-in real-time translation. Live ASL interpretation will also be provided.
If you're unable to attend or prefer watching a video recording, you can watch a recorded session on YouTube.
Application process
Applicationseach application period
- Carefully read this page, especially our Frequently Asked Questions section.
- Review our Instruction Packet, which walks you through each question of the application form.
- Submit your application via the form below.
What to expect
Once the application period ends, our Board of Directors and team of Community Grantmaking Fellows (trained volunteers) evaluate each and every application received. This process is necessarily difficult and time-intensive, so thank you for your patience!
- If you are selected as a finalist, or if our reviewers determine they need additional information, you will be contacted via email 4-12 weeks following the application deadline.
- If you are selected as a recipient, you will be contacted via email 4-12 weeks following the application deadline. Grants are $1,250 per recipient, and will be paid directly to your electrologist or laser hair removal provider. The full details of your award will be explained in your recipient agreement.
- If you are not selected as a finalist or recipient, we will notify you via email, and you are welcome to apply again for our next application cycle. (Your application is not stored and will not roll over. Review our Privacy Policy.)
For even more detail, this resource serves to provide complete context and clarity around our financial assistance programs, and why we have certain requirements or parameters in place.
Notes
- Privacy and safety: We know many applicants feel vulnerable in sharing their experiences, and we take this very seriously. Anything you share with us in your written responses will be kept strictly confidential and private. Recipients will have the opportunity to publicly share their stories in the way that feels safest and most affirming for them, as well as hide identifying information if preferred.
- Language:Our application is not an English test. We will not consider grammar/spelling or writing ability when reviewing your responses. Above all, please give us detailed, thorough responses so we understand your unique situation. We hope to provide full translation support in the future.
- Accessibility: We understand that some applicants may want or need extra support in completing their application. You may list someone else on the application as your liaison, translator, or support person. This person will be CC'd on all email notifications regarding your application status. (Access can be revoked at any time by the applicant by contacting Point of Pride.)
- Equity: Our organization prioritizes equity as one of our guiding principles. Your application will be assessed on the responses you provide and in accordance with this guiding principle. While Point of Pride does not discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, or any other identity, this program does prioritize femme applicants who are seeking hair removal on their face. Access to facial hair removal often equates to safety against anti-trans violence or discrimination, which disproportionally affects trans women of color.
FAQ
"Are there age requirements?"
You must be at least 18 years old to apply. If you are under 18, we require consent from a parent or legal guardian (who will be required to be listed as your support person in your application) as well as your hair removal providers. There is no upper limit for age."Can I apply if I've already had, or am currently having, hair removal sessions?"
Yes. Please note this information in your application."Can I apply if I'm seeking hair removal on an area other than my face, neck, or in preparation for surgery?"
Unfortunately, no. This program only covers support for hair removal services on the face and neck, or areas in preparation for a gender-affirming surgery."Can I apply if I'm a trans masculine person?"
Yes. You may apply if you are seeking hair removal on an area of your body in preparation for bottom surgery (phalloplasty or metoidioplasty) and have a surgery date scheduled."When will I receive a response about my application?"
You will receive an email from an "@pointofpride.org" account about 2 months from when the application cycle ends. (Please check your spam folder and the quota limit on your inbox to make sure it hasn’t been filtered or bounced back. You may need to search for email accounts that end in “@pointofpride.org” or update your settings to allow emails from “@pointofpride.org” accounts.)"When are recipients selected?"
Typically, recipients are selected and announced about 3-4 months from when the application cycle ends. We are a primarily volunteer-operated non-profit, so sometimes it can take longer as we process the high volume of applications. We appreciate your patience!"I have questions about hair removal. Where can I learn more?"
For general information about the process of electrolysis and other permanent hair removal options, we recommend reading our resource guide, Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal: An Intro for Trans Folks."I've missed the application window deadline. Can I submit a late application?"
Unfortunately, no. Please apply during our next application cycle."Can I apply this cycle if I have applied in the past?"
Yes, you are welcome to submit an application every cycle."Can I submit an application on behalf of someone else?"
We recognize there may be barriers that prevent someone from submitting an application on their own without help. You may submit an application on behalf of someone else only if you are working directly with the applicant and clearly reference their involvement in completing the application. (For example, if you are providing technological support, language translation, or other assistance on behalf of the applicant, please note your role and that the applicant is still the primary author of their responses.) However, you may not submit an application without the applicant's involvement. (For example, applying for a loved one without their knowledge.) While we understand the desire to surprise someone with a grant, our process builds on the fundamental idea that trans people are our own best advocates: we want to ensure that this belief is reflected throughout the application process.
"Can grants be used for laser hair removal services?"
Yes; while "Electrolysis" is in the name of this grant program, you may apply if you are seeking laser hair removal, electrolysis, or a combination of the two types of services."What if I am unsure whether laser or electrolysis is right for me?"
Our grants cover any type of hair removal service, including laser hair removal and electrolysis. You may still apply if you are unsure what type is right for you. Grants are applicable if your provider recommends you do both types of services, or if you are doing one type of service and wish to switch to the other."If awarded a grant, can I switch the type of hair removal service I need?"
Yes. Our grants are flexible as hair care removal is a highly personalized experience that can be influenced by many factors. Grants are still applicable if you are doing one type of service (for example, laser hair removal) and wish to switch to another (for example, electrolysis.)"Can I apply for my care while being a support person for someone else's application?"
Yes, you can be both an applicant for your own application and a support person for someone else's application during the same cycle."I've received support from Point of Pride in the past. Can I apply?"
Yes, you can apply if you have already received funding or support through any of Point of Pride’s programs. If you received a grant through the Electrolysis Support Fund, you'll be invited to apply for a Renewal Award once you have used at least 90% of your current grant award."I live outside the United States. Can I apply?"
Yes, you are welcome to apply if you live outside the United States. Due to our non-profit status, however, all hair removal services must be performed in the United States and its territories. That means in order to apply, you have to be physically and financially able to travel to the US for your care. This often means international applicants live in Canada or Mexico close to the US border, or are students/employees in the US for an extended period of time. At this time, our grants cannot be applied to travel, lodging, or other logistical expenses.Apply
Applications
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