Every month, Transform Cincy − a local nonprofit that provides clothes and other services to the LGBTQ+ community − receives $2.50 from a former client. More recently, the donation hasn't always cashed due to a lack of funds to cover it. The young donor keeps trying.
"It's kind of impressive to see that they wanted to give back in any way that they could," said Tristan Vaught, co-founder of Transform, who has reassured the former client that they do not have to donate. "The people that we serve, it's so hard for them to give."
It's hard for others, too, Vaught said. Transform is in a situation now where, if it doesn't receive more funding before its city grant is renewed in November, the organization will have to close its doors for six weeks.
The closure would mean that Transform's programs and services − which have grown beyond the fashion and wardrobe services offered to roughly 25 transgender youth they see every month since their start seven years ago − would stop.
Those programs now include LGBTQ+ and parent support groups, information sessions and community dinners. All of the offered services are free, and other community organizations can use the space in College Hill at no cost.
The closure would also mean LGBTQ+ individuals in Cincinnati will lose a "safe, third space" for community building and support, Vaught said.
Like many other nonprofits, especially those dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ individuals, funding has fallen off more recently, Vaught said. Having never been funded by state or federal grants, Transform relies heavily on individual donations.
They attribute this largely to rising costs of living.
"Some of it comes down to just not having the money that they previously had," Vaught said. "Things are up, people are giving less."
Transform's wardrobe services, which allow transgender youth to get new clothes, shoes, accessories and haircuts from Bishops up to three times per year, cost almost $12,000 a month. Other expenses covered by donations include paychecks for the few staff members who work during open hours from 6 to 9 p.m. on weekdays. Everything else is run by volunteers.
Vaught hopes they can eventually expand programming and provide more hours once the funding gap is resolved.
To help make this happen, Transform launched two campaigns. One allows donors to sponsor transgender youth wardrobe changes for a year by contributing $40 a month, or making a donation of $450, which would cover the wardrobe services for a year.
The other fundraiser is a raffle to win a 2014 Subaru Forester, which was donated to Transform. Everyone is eligible to enter for free once until the raffle ends at midnight on Wednesday, Sept. 30. A $10 donation will buy one entry, and $100 provides 15. There is no maximum for entries. A live drawing is planned for Wednesday morning on social media.
Other fiscal donations can be made at www.transformcincy.org/donate, and clothing donations can be made through the organization's Amazon wish list.
To celebrate Transform's seven-year anniversary, the organization is also hosting an open house for its recent move to College Hill. The event on Nov. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. will include music from DJ BoyWife.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati LGBTQ+ nonprofit at risk of closing after funding shortage
