Who we are
About Us
Our mission is to help trans youth and adults access necessary, life-saving health and wellness services.
Our guiding principles
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Affirmation
The work we do—the heart of our mission—is to provide powerful affirmation for our trans siblings. Trans people who feel seen, supported, and valid are able to live their authentic lives.
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Access
We serve the members of our community who have the biggest challenges in accessing the care they need—whether financial, geographical, or institutional.
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Equity
Our equity-based approach seeks to address the failures of unequal levels of privilege and access.
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Empowerment
The result of our programs should create transformative changes for our recipients that extend beyond the direct service they receive.
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Celebration
With so many narratives and stories around trans hardship, we foster trans joy! We celebrate the resilience, beauty, and power of the people we serve.
A decade of service
Our milestones
From a surgery fund started by two friends to millions of dollars in direct aid: the moments that shaped Point of Pride.
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2011
- The seeds of Point of Pride were planted in 2011, when founders Aydian Dowling and Jeff Main were running Point 5cc, a trans-led apparel company. By setting aside a portion of proceeds from every order, the team created an Annual Transgender Surgery Fund that provided thousands of dollars in direct financial assistance and launched one of the first and largest international chest binder donation programs.
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2016
- Point of Pride is formally incorporated with a dedicated volunteer team focused on expanding fundraising, supporting more trans community members with affirming resources, and advocating for the inclusive, supportive world everyone deserves.
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2017
- Point of Pride attends the Gender Odyssey Conference in Seattle and the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, expanding its network of allies and partners.
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2018
- Point of Pride hosts the first-ever LGBTQ support tent at the Skid Row Carnival of Love in Los Angeles.
- Point of Pride kicks off the first-of-its-kind Electrolysis Support Fund.
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2019
- Point of Pride launches the Community Grantmaking Fellows (CGFs) program, engaging trained volunteer reviewers to help ensure fairness and equity in the distribution of financial aid.
- Point of Pride earns GuideStar's (now Candid) Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest recognition for nonprofit transparency.
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2020
- Point of Pride launches the HRT Access Fund, providing financial assistance for gender-affirming hormone therapy.
- The COVID-19 Emergency Fund delivers critical support at scale, helping hundreds of recipients access prescriptions, mental health services, and essential medical supplies.
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2021
- Point of Pride reaches a milestone of 10,000 gender-affirming garments donated.
- Point of Pride reaches $250,000 in financial aid awarded to date.
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2022
- Mercury Stardust hosts the first TikTok-a-thon to coincide with International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31. Originally aiming to raise $24,000, it raises more than $120,000 for Point of Pride.
- In response to a tidal wave of anti-trans legislation introduced across the United States, Point of Pride mails 1,500 gender-affirming garments to impacted youth, alongside messages of affirmation to let them know they are valid, seen, and loved.
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2023
- No longer just volunteers, Point of Pride welcomes its first paid staff member.
- Point of Pride earns a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
- Mercury Stardust teams up with Jory (alluringskull) for the Trans Day of Visibility TikTok-a-Thon, raising an unprecedented $2 million to support trans and gender-diverse individuals in need.
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2024
- Point of Pride begins developing its Trans Health Survey, inspired by the U.S. Transgender Survey, to gather community-driven data for better health equity.
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2025
- The Thrive Fund has launched, offering financial aid for life-changing transition-related care, including wigs, vocal training, fertility preservation, and more.
- Point of Pride reaches $1 million in financial aid awarded to date.
- Point of Pride surpasses the $4 million milestone in total financial aid awarded to trans youth and adults for gender-affirming healthcare and wellness services.
These milestones form the foundation for the work ahead as we enter our next decade.
Top-rated for transparency by GuideStar and Charity Navigator. Donations are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 81-2185477.