Transgender Law Center
Transgender Law Center (TLC) is an Oakland, California-based public charity and national trans-led organization. Founded in 2002, it works to advance transgender and gender-nonconforming people’s ability to live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination.
Transgender Law Center at a glance
In short: Transgender Law Center gave $2.3M across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $211K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,318,354
- +264.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +10.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $210,759
- +231.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $70,000
- Total assets
- $37,700,839
- -6.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Transgender Law Center
- How to Apply
-
The Action for Transformation Fund describes a simple application and accepts submissions on a rolling basis. Emergent Fund is responsible for funding decisions.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 70976, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 587-9696
Website: https://transgenderlawcenter.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Transgender Law Center funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Amalgamated Foundation ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 15 grants of 34 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
TLC describes itself as a national organization. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were Washington, DC (52%), California (19%), and Oregon (11%); Arkansas and Colorado each accounted for 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Transgender Law Center gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $125K (2020) to $2.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amalgamated Foundation Washington, DC | Transformation & Emergent Funds | $1,206,186 |
| Gender & Sexualities Alliance San Francisco, CA | TRUTH/Gender Justice | $280,168 |
| Equality Federation Institute Portland, OR | Freedom Oaklahoma | $255,000 |
| International Comm Fdtn National City, CA | Border Butterflies Proj. | $80,000 |
| Refugee Health Alliance La Jolla, CA | Narrative Lab | $77,000 |
| Intransitive Mabelvale, AR | Narrative Lab | $70,000 |
| One Colorado Education Fund Denver, CO | Narrative Lab | $70,000 |
| Outfront Minnesota Saint Paul, MN | Narrative Lab | $70,000 |
| The Level Up Project Humble, TX | Narrative Lab | $70,000 |
| The Third Space Foundation Oklahoma City, OK | Narrative Lab | $70,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Transgender Law Center?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $37,700,839 | $15,659,809 | $18,078,690 | $2,318,354 | 11 | $1,230,002 |
| 2023 | $40,240,583 | $18,537,203 | $13,575,797 | $635,785 | 10 | $1,246,527 |
| 2022 | $34,566,798 | $16,836,191 | $10,180,064 | $441,965 | 5 | $321,002 |
| 2021 | $25,939,960 | $14,579,673 | $7,352,451 | $433,264 | 6 | $16,704 |
| 2020 | $18,939,780 | $18,901,863 | $5,591,004 | $124,863 | 2 | $47,718 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
TLC states that it changes law, policy, and attitudes so people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of gender identity or expression. Its website describes an integrated approach that includes strategic litigation, policy advocacy, educational efforts, movement-building, and programs addressing community needs.
In its 2024 filing, TLC described policy and organizing work that included training, convenings, strategy opportunities, coalition work, and support for trans leaders and groups responding to attacks on trans people. It also described the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project’s work on organizing, base-building, deportation defense, and strategic communications, and its legal program’s litigation, amicus briefs, national legal Helpdesk, and Prison Mail Program.
TLC’s 2024 grants included organizations with varied missions, as described by the grantees themselves. Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network says it empowers and trains LGBTQ students and young people to organize for safe schools and healthy communities. Equality Federation Institute describes itself as an advocacy accelerator building power among state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. Refugee Health Alliance says it provides trauma-informed, culturally inclusive care and advocacy for displaced and vulnerable populations along the U.S.–Mexico border. One Colorado Education Fund says it works to secure equality and opportunity for LGBT Coloradans and their families. Transformations Youth Group describes its work as building collective leadership and power among trans women and girls of color in Missouri, Kansas, and northwest Arkansas.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, TLC reported 11 grants totaling $2,318,354. The median grant was $70,000; grants ranged from $70,000 to $1,206,186. The largest grants were $1,206,186 to Amalgamated Foundation for “Transformation & Emergent Funds,” $280,168 to Gender & Sexualities Alliance for “TRUTH/Gender Justice,” and $255,000 to Equality Federation Institute for “Freedom Oaklahoma.” Other reported grants included $80,000 to International Comm Fdtn for the “Border Butterflies Proj.” and $77,000 to Refugee Health Alliance for “Narrative Lab.” Six additional grants of $70,000 each were listed for Intransitive, One Colorado Education Fund, Outfront Minnesota, The Level Up Project, The Third Space Foundation, and Transformations Youth Group, all for “Narrative Lab.”
For the Action for Transformation Fund, TLC and Emergent Fund announced a $1 million commitment in September 2024 to support trans-led organizing, healing, and power-building. The fund’s website describes a simple application, with video submissions, phone requests, and Spanish-language forms available. It says decisions are made on a rolling basis, with grants made within 10 days of approval and applicants notified within a month of submission. TLC states that it collaborates on the fund but does not make funding decisions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Shelby Chestnut as Executive Director. It lists Oluchi Omeoga, Rose Berry, and Nolizwe Nondabula as directors with “BLMP Co-” in their titles; Bran Fenner as “Managing Director”; Billie Chen as “FinanceOper Director”; Lynly Egyes as Legal Director; Emem Maurus as Project Legal Director; Meera Vaidyanathan as Development Director; and Sue Yacka-Bible as Director of Communications.
Transgender Law Center is led by Shelby Chestnut, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 11 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shelby Chestnut
Executive Director
Policy & Org. Director → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$108K (2020) → $225K (2024)
Lynly Egyes
Legal Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $138K (2024)
Meera Vaidyanathan
Development Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$109K (2021) → $135K (2024)
Billie Chen FinanceOper
Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$117K (2022) → $143K (2024)
Emem Maurus
Project Legal Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$121K (2023) → $129K (2024)
Nolizwe Nondabula BLMP Co-
Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$164K (2023) → $162K (2024)
Oluchi Omeoga BLMP Co-
Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$158K (2023) → $181K (2024)
Rose Berry BLMP Co-
Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$161K (2023) → $167K (2024)
Sue Yacka-Bible
Director Communications
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$114K (2023) → $125K (2024)
Bran Fenner Managing
Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$147K (2024)
Harry Itie
Blmp Committee Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$126K (2024)
Louis Porter II
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sunu Chandy
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alic Shook
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ana Conner Secretary
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ebony Harper
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Morgan Darby
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beckham Rivera
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chinyere EzieVice Ch
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Imara Jones Chair
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daroneshia Duncan-Boyd
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diamond Collier
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gwendolyn Rogers
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jayy Covert
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Myles Paisley Treas
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phillipe CunninghamVice Ch
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Bran Fenner (2020–2023) — Director People
- Former: Brielle Darynn (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Cori Parrish Treas (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kris Hayashi (2020–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Mat dos Santos (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Theresa Witherspoon (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Myles Paisley (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Brielle Darynn Vice Treas (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Oluchi Omeoga (2021–2022) — Director of Blmp
- Former: Nolizwe Nondabula (2022) — Blmp Director Finance & Oper
- Former: Rose Berry (2022) — Blmp Co-Dir.
- Former: Alan Francisco-Tipgos (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Billy Chen FinanceOper (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Evelyn Rios Board Vice Ch (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Melanie Rowen (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Trystan Reese (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Beck Rivera (2021) — Director
- Former: Chinyere Ezie Board Chair (2021) — Director
- Former: Imara Jones (2021) — Director
- Former: Min Matson (2021) — Director
- Former: Ola Osaze (2021) — Director of Blmp
- Former: Chinyere Ezie (2020) — Director
- Former: Min Matson Board Chair (2020) — Director
- Former: Morgan Darby Secretary (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $225K, to Shelby Chestnut (Executive Dir.). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Transgender Law Center
How much does Transgender Law Center give each year?
Transgender Law Center gave $2.3M across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $636K across 10 grants.
What is Transgender Law Center's typical grant size?
Transgender Law Center's median grant in 2024 was $70,000, and its average grant was $210,759, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Transgender Law Center give grants?
Transgender Law Center gives mostly in District of Columbia: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (19%) and Oregon (11%).
Does Transgender Law Center give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Transgender Law Center's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Narrative Lab" (7 grants).
Who are Transgender Law Center's largest grantees?
Transgender Law Center's largest 2024 grantees include Amalgamated Foundation ($1,206,186), Gender & Sexualities Alliance ($280,168) and Equality Federation Institute ($255,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Transgender Law Center?
Transgender Law Center reported $37.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.7M.
What does Transgender Law Center fund?
TLC states that it changes law, policy, and attitudes so people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of gender identity or expression. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Transgender Law Center?
The Action for Transformation Fund describes a simple application and accepts submissions on a rolling basis. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Transgender Law Center's EIN?
Transgender Law Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 05-0544006. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Transgender Law Center's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Transgender Law Center funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/transgender-law-center-morg_387f7809fa164776830722b205ad1c0b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_050544006_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Transgender Law Center funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/transgender-law-center-morg_387f7809fa164776830722b205ad1c0b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Transgender Law Center's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Transgender Law Center down — hundreds of funders to go?