By Dawn Wolfe
SWARTZ CREEK – On Jan. 11, the Arcus Foundation, which awards grants to LGBT service and advocacy organizations, announced that it would be giving $5,000 to TransGender Michigan "for general operations and programs striving for social justice and equality for transgender individuals and allies." It is the first grant received by the organization.
The funds will be used to expand the organization's speakers bureau and to produce professional-looking brochures, according to TransGender Michigan Executive Director Rachel Crandall.
"One thing it's for is to further develop our speakers bureau and to have a speakers bureau training – in fact, a few trainings all over," Crandall said.
"We really want to get a lot more people involved in our speakers bureau, a lot more people with different types of transgender experiences."
Crandall was enthusiastic about the opportunity to improve her organization's printed materials.
"Right now we print them ourselves, so these are to be able to get them actually professionally printed and laid out so they really have that professional look to them," she said.
Crandall added that soliciting and receiving the Arcus grant is a first step for TransGender Michigan.
"We're in the process of applying for other grants right now, and we could not be more excited," she said. "There are a number of things we want grants for in our organization."
TransGender Michigan is also seeking individuals to join its Board of Directors.
For more information about TransGender Michigan, or to volunteer for its speakers bureau or a board position, visit www.transgendermichigan.org or call Rachel Crandall at 517-420-1544.
