Electrolysis Support Fund

Point of Pride’s Electrolysis Support Fund provides financial assistance towards permanent hair removal services (including electrolysis and laser hair removal) for trans folks who cannot otherwise afford them.

We have very few requirements in an effort to be as inclusive as possible:

• You identify as transgender (FTM, MTF, non-binary, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and all other non-cis identities).
• You have financial need that prevents you from affording hair removal services.
• You are 18 years old or older, or have consent from your parents and/or hair removal providers.
• You live in the United States.
• For trans feminine applicants: You are seeking hair removal on your face, neck, or on an area of your body in preparation for bottom surgery.
• For trans masculine applicants: You are seeking hair removal on an area of your body in preparation for bottom surgery (phalloplasty or metoidioplasty).

2018 recipient Rose following an electrolysis treatment

This program is intended to help trans folks who otherwise can not afford hair removal. We ask that you consider your access to healthcare before applying for this grant. Here are some questions to consider:

• Are you able to pay for hair removal services out of pocket?
• Are you employed and able to save some money towards hair removal services?
• Are you a citizen or documented immigrant?
• Do you identify as white, or do you experience white/light-skinned privilege?

If you answered YES to these questions, you may consider making space for our trans siblings who mostly answered NO. (Even if you answer YES to most or all of these questions, you are still eligible to apply.)

Applications are accepted during the following times:

• Winter: January 1 – February 28 (11:59pm EST)
• Spring: April 1 – May 31 (11:59pm EST)

Applications are only considered during the time you apply, and are not rolled over to our next period. Therefore, you are welcome to submit an application once each application period. All applications must be submitted online.

1. Carefully read this page, especially our Frequently Asked Questions section.
2. Review our Instruction Packet, which walks you through each question of the application form.
3. Submit your application via the Google form.

Once the application period ends, our Board of Directors and team of Community Grantmaking Fellows (trained volunteers) evaluate each and every application received. This process is necessarily difficult and time-intensive, so thank you for your patience!

• If you are selected as a finalist, or if our reviewers determine they need additional information, you will be contacted via email 4-12 weeks following the application deadline.
• If you are selected as a recipient, you will be contacted via email 4-12 weeks following the application deadline. Grants are $1,250 per recipient, and will be paid directly to your electrologist or laser hair removal provider. The full details of your award will be explained in your recipient agreement.
• If you are not selected as a finalist or recipient, we will notify you via email, and you are welcome to apply again for our next application cycle. (Your application is not stored and will not roll over. Review our Privacy Policy.)

For even more detail, this resource serves to provide complete context and clarity around our financial assistance programs, and why we have certain requirements or parameters in place.

• Privacy and safety: We know many applicants feel vulnerable in sharing their experiences, and we take this very seriously. Anything you share with us in your written responses will be kept strictly confidential and private. Recipients will have the opportunity to publicly share their stories in the way that feels safest and most affirming for them, as well as hide identifying information if preferred.
• Language: Our application is not an English test. We will not consider grammar/spelling or writing ability when reviewing your responses. Above all, please give us detailed, thorough responses so we understand your unique situation. We hope to provide full translation support in the future.
• Equity: Our organization prioritizes equity as one of our guiding principles. Your application will be assessed on the responses you provide and in accordance with this guiding principle. While Point of Pride does not discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, or any other identity, this program does prioritize femme applicants who are seeking hair removal on their face. Access to facial hair removal often equates to safety against anti-trans violence or discrimination, which disproportionally affects trans women of color.