Thrive Fund Instruction Packet

This Instruction Packet will walk you through every question in our application form.

The goal of this packet is to give you the opportunity to carefully think about these questions and your responses ahead of time, so you can submit a high-quality application.

Last updated: July 2026

© 2016–2026 Point of Pride. All rights reserved.

Evaluating Your Eligibility

Before you fill out the full application, you’ll answer a few short questions to check if you’re eligible.

If the form says you may not be eligible, you can still apply. But, we strongly recommend emailing us at thrive@pointofpride.org before you apply, so we can help make sure you understand the program requirements.

Please keep in mind that you can only submit one application. Once your application is submitted, you won’t be able to make changes.

• Your country, city, state, zip code
• Your age
• What type of support are you seeking funding for?

• You’ll see a list of options to choose from, plus an “Other” box if your need isn’t listed.

• Please describe in more detail.

Section 1: General Information

We will communicate with you via email regarding the status of your application. We ask for your phone number as a back-up means of communication. Point of Pride is committed to protecting your privacy. Read our Privacy Policy and our Safety bulletin to understand how we use your information and what kind of communications to expect from our team.

• Your name
• Your email
• Your phone number
• Your pronouns

Support Person

Some folks need added support with their application due to language barriers, disability, inconsistent access to the Internet, or other factors. Both you and your support person will be included on all emails regarding your application. If you choose to add a support person, we encourage you to notify them ahead of time to get their consent.

If you are under the age of 18, you are required to list your parent/legal guardian as your support person on your application.

• Support person’s name
• Relationship to support person (Check all that apply: translation support, emotional support, technological/Internet support, accessibility support, or other)
• At least one of the following:

• Support person’s email
• Support person’s phone number

Section 2: Demographic Information

The optional demographic info collected in this section helps us identify additional grant and partnership opportunities and better serve our applicants and community in the future. Your responses will not affect your eligibility for this (or any other) Point of Pride program. It is for statistical use only, and you may decline providing some or all of this information.

• Your gender identity
• Your race/ethnicity
• Your veteran/military statusWere you discharged or currently facing separation due to your gender identity?
• Your student statusWhat is the PRIMARY way you pay tuition?
• Do you have any long-standing illness, disability, or infirmity? (Long-standing means anything that has troubled you over a period of time or that is likely to affect you over a period of time.)        

• If yes: Have you applied for, or do you currently receive, government disability benefits (SSI/SSDI or your country's equivalent)?

• Are you the primary caretaker for another individual?
• Are you currently, or have you ever experienced any of the following:

• Homelessness or housing insecurity?
• Discrimination by your healthcare provider?
• Discrimination by an employer?
• Incarceration?

Section 3: Your Healthcare Needs

We ask these questions to better understand your situation, and in case we are able to connect you with other resources and opportunities. Please answer as honestly as you can.

• How much do you have saved towards your care (in USD)?
• Have you researched or received an estimate or quote?

• Yes
• No
• If yes, how much?
• If yes, when did you research or receive this estimate or quote?

• Is your request for a one-time expense or an ongoing expense?

• One-time
• Ongoing
• If ongoing, please provide a bit more detail about how long you anticipate it may take to reach your personal healthcare goals. (300 characters)

• Do you have health insurance?

• Yes – I have insurance and they will cover part of this expense
• Yes – I have insurance and I am willing to use it but I am unsure if my expense will be covered
• Yes – I have insurance but they have denied my request for coverage
• Yes – I have insurance but I am unwilling to use it
• No – I do not have insurance
• Not applicable for my expense

• Do you need this request fulfilled within a specific timeframe? (Example: if your request is tied to a surgical procedure or other notable date)

• Yes
• No
• Unsure
• If yes or unsure, please explain what procedure you're pursuing, what event or change in your life may make your request time sensitive, etc. Please be as specific as you can. (300 characters)

Section 4: Your Financial & Access Considerations

In the last section of the application, you will complete short answer responses. These prompts are highlighted below. Please read the explanation and examples beneath each question, so you understand what our reviewers are looking for.

To ensure a fair and unbiased review, applications are reviewed anonymously. In your written responses, please do not include your name or other personally identifying information, such as your full name, links to a personal website or GoFundMe page, links to social media pages, or anything else that could be used to determine who you are.

You will have 800 characters for each short answer response, which is roughly 160 words.

Your application is completely confidential and will only be shared with the review team for the purpose of reviewing your application. In the event that you are a recipient of our program, nothing you disclose is shared publicly without your permission and approval.

We are looking for authenticity in your responses. If you choose to use AI such as ChatGPT, we ask that you do so as a tool to edit what you have already written, not create answers entirely.

Note: This 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.

1. Please describe your current financial situation. Note factors such as job security, housing, educational costs, medical costs, etc. that have prevented you from being able to afford care on your own.
   (800 character limit)
   We ask this question to understand your unique situation and financial barriers to the care that you need. Examples of what you can discuss here are:

• Research or action you’ve taken towards accessing your care, such as

1. Researching local providers or retailers
2. Seeking consultations with potential service providers
3. Obtaining health insurance or changing health insurance providers
4. Appealing a health insurance denial for your care

• Experiences you have had, such as

1. Experiencing discrimination or gatekeeping by a provider
2. Living in an area where access to the care you need is tough to find
3. Inability to travel to another state or location where care is more accessible

• Attempts you have made in the past to afford care on your own, such as

1. Attempting to save, fundraise, and/or utilize insurance coverage

• If you have unique circumstances or health concerns that have impacted your ability to receive care through locally available doctors or services

2. Explain how access to this care supports your healthcare journey or overall well-being. 
   (800 character limit)
   We ask this question to understand how your requested healthcare need directly impacts other areas of your life. Our reviewers are specifically looking for an indication that your request will help you to access an established gender-affirming healthcare need. We want to understand how this care will lead to tangible positive outcomes. Examples of what you can discuss here are:

• Short- and long-term health benefits, such as

1. Improvements to your mental and emotional well-being
2. Benefits to your physical health
3. Increased sense of security, safety, and/or stability in your life

• Enhancements to your future plans and goals, such as

1. The ability to start or grow a family in the future
2. Increased opportunities for career and personal growth
3. More freedom to pursue your life goals and dreams without additional barriers
4. More freedom to pursue other healthcare or transition-related goals

• Improved social and community connections, such as

1. Greater support from family and friends
2. Increased involvement in your community or social circles
3. More opportunities to build meaningful relationships and connections

• Other unique impacts specific to your situation that will positively affect your life

3. If you are seeking funding for an ongoing expense or an expense above $2,500: How do you intend to afford the remainder of your care? Note any research or action you may have taken or would consider taking in the future. 
   (800 character limit)
   You may request up to a maximum award of $2,500. Only if you indicate that your expense is ongoing, or if your quote for care is above this threshold, we will ask you this additional question to understand how you plan to manage the remainder of your expenses. Examples of what you can discuss here are:

• Your financial responsibility and planning, including exploration of other funding sources
• Anticipated changes to your employment or income
• Your eligibility for financing options