named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Black Trans Joy Fund
Annual program launched on May 1st each year to provide financial and community support to Black transgender individuals
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Support Services 4 activities
- Facilitation of safe transportation and access to mealsProvides safe transportation and access to meals for Black transgender individuals through a collaboration with Uber.
- Funding mental health support for Black trans individualsProvides free and reduced-cost access to mental health and counseling services for eligible Black transgender individuals through a partnership with BetterHelp, and offers financial support for mental health-related expenses via initiatives like The Black Trans Joy Fund.
- Provision of material support for housing, utilities, and foodOffers rental assistance, utility bill relief during winter months, and grocery support during the holiday season to Black transgender individuals through targeted mutual aid programs.
- Provision of mutual aid to Black transgender individualsProvides unrestricted financial support and direct mutual aid to Black transgender individuals across the United States through programs focused on food security, housing, transportation safety, and mental health. Since November 2022, supported 1,857 individuals, with 1–2 new mutual aid programs launched per quarter.
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LGBTQ+ Community Grantmaking 1 activity
- Grantmaking through the Flowers FundOperates the Flowers Fund, a biannual grant program that awards funding to one peer-nominated Black Trans community leader, supporting leadership and community-driven initiatives.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$291K
Contributions & grants$291K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$374K
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead25%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$270K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$147K
Cash$-82K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$147K
Liquid reserves-2.6 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue -57.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GABRIELLE SOUZA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 86 | $112K |
board members · 3
- EVA REIGN — BOARD MEMBER
- KENYA BOUDREAUX — BOARD MEMBER
- MIMI SHELTON — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- ABC Government — Was fiscally sponsored by ABC, which filed for bankruptcy, resulting in loss of donor data and financial instability.
- Arts Business Collaborative Partner — Formerly served as the fiscal sponsor for The Okra Project until January 2023.
- Beacon Partner — Organization providing nonpartisan strategy, coordination, and expert services to individuals and organizations facing extreme threats due to civic participation
- BetterHelp Partner — Collaborative partnership to provide free and reduced-cost mental health and counseling services to eligible Black trans individuals.
- BetterHelp Partner — Partner organization providing access to free and discounted mental health and counseling services for qualifying individuals.
- Black Trans Liberation Kitchen Partner — Community organization that feeds, empowers, and celebrates trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people
- Borealis Partner — Borealis reached out directly to The Okra Project and connected with legal counsel; their executive director spoke personally with The Okra Project's executive director.
- Brooklyn Partner — Rooted in Brooklyn, with some programs specific to the greater NYC area.
- Brooklyn District Attorney's Office Government — Cooperated with a subpoena from the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office in a legal investigation involving former leadership.
- Family Equality Partner — Partner organization distributing complimentary care packages to LGBTQIA+ families through Kenvue's CARE WITH PRIDE® program
- For The Gworls Partner — Black, trans-led collective that raises funds through events to support Black transgender people with rent, surgeries, medical co-pays, and travel
- Kenvue Partner — Supports LGBTQIA+ community through CARE WITH PRIDE® program in collaboration with Family Equality
- Princess Janae Place Partner — Center providing housing support including first month's rent, security deposits, and broker fees for people of trans experience
- Trans Lifeline Partner — Organization offering microgrants for legal document changes, name changes, and gender-affirming care costs
- Trans formative Schools Partner — Organization running an after-school program in NYC that advocates for trans futures through education and societal change
- Uber Partner — Collaboration to provide rides and meals support to Black transgender individuals.
- Zad Bull Partner — Black transgender fitness trainer offering personalized programs for queer and trans individuals
- newly established board of directors Partner — Collaborates with the board of directors to fulfill the organization's mission.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Centered and Prioritized Community Distributionmethodology: community-centered mutual aidBy centering Black Trans femmes in program design and using a randomized distribution process with prioritization, the organization ensures equitable access and reduces bias, because targeted inclusion of the most marginalized groups produces more just outcomes in resource allocation.
- Mutual Aid for Systemic Barrier Reductionmethodology: mutual_aidBy using mutual aid as a primary methodology, the organization delivers resources directly to Black Trans individuals to address systemic inequities and gaps in formal social safety nets, because direct, community-controlled support increases access and reduces dependency on exclusionary institutions.
- Transformative Justice for Community Accountabilitymethodology: transformative_justiceBy applying transformative justice practices, the organization addresses harm and accountability through non-punitive, community-based methods, because such approaches foster healing and long-term safety without relying on carceral systems that disproportionately harm Black Trans communities.