Grand Rapids Trans Foundation

10/10/2026

In October, we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month!

Our community has been a powerhouse of activism, achievement, critical thought, art, and more. Check out 31 important Trans & Q***r icons at lgbthistorymonth.com! Included on this year's list is Michigan's own Rachel Crandall-Crocker, creator of the oldest MI Trans nonprofit (TGMI - Transgender Michigan) as well as the originator of International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31)! ✨

This month, consider financially supporting a local LGBTQ+ nonprofit, who are on the forefront of creating the next era of Trans & Q***r history!
🏳️‍⚧️GR Trans Foundation (tinyurl.com/grtf-donate)
🏳️‍🌈Grand Rapids Pride Center
🏳️‍🌈GVSU Milt Ford Legacy Collective: Rainbow Resource Center
🏳️‍🌈QHub Health
🏳️‍🌈GIFT Grand Rapids
🏳️‍🌈Chosen Family of Michigan

[Image Description: set against a hazy ombre background of a rainbow, a black centered starburst has text that reads "October is LGBTQ+ History Month"]

10/09/2026

A reminder that the GRTF office will be closed on Monday for Indigenous Peoples' Day!

We will reopen on Tuesday (10/13/2026) at 1pm!

[Image description: On a background of downtown Grand Rapids at sunset, a notification with white text reads: "GRTF will be closed, Monday, October 12, 2026, for Indigenous Peoples' Day."]

10/09/2026

Ready for the ookiest-spookiest Bingo?! 🎃👻🦇

Don't miss out on delicious drinks, hot & creepy performances, games with cash prizes, all for a good cause! ✨

Join us on Sunday, October 25, at Apartment Lounge to enjoy bingo, instant games (🍌&🍒), cash prizes, incredible drag performances, tasty drinks, and good company! All proceeds go towards the vital services of GR Trans Foundation. 🏳️‍⚧️ This month, we welcome our host, the hauntingly gorgeous Jasinya Maria Sanchez!

Bingo rounds 1-7 are 50-50 cash prizes. Round 8 of bingo (blackout/coverall), we have a PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT! Currently, our Jackpot is sitting at $1,615+ (in 58 pulls or less). If there are no winners in 58 draws or less, we continue playing until someone wins ($50 consolation prize), and the prize pot and draw number increases for the next month. Show up for your chance to win BIG!

Check out game rules, costs, and play schedule on our event:
✨ Amazeballs Bingo! Feat. Jasinya Maria Sanchez ($1,615+ JACKPOT)✨

CASH ONLY. No cover. 21+. Hope to see you there! ✨

[Image Description: In bold colorful lettering reads "Amazeballs Bingo! Hosted by The Apartment Lounge. Benefiting Grand Rapids Trans Foundation. Cash Only. With Jasinya Maria Sanchez! Sunday, October 25, 6:30-8:30 PM. Progressive Jackpot! Starts at $1,615+, Game 8 (coverall), in 58 numbers or less, consolation prize $50."]

10/08/2026

Did you know that GRTF serves all of Kent County, not just Grand Rapids?

If you are out in Lowell, swing by Bettie's Pages on October 24 between 1-4pm to chat with our intern Elliette (they/them) about our services! We'd love to see you there. 🩵🩷🤍

[Image Description: A graphic of an open book, with text that reads "Bettie's Pages Welcomes Grand Rapids Trans Foundation. Come Learn About Update Program, TRANSportation, Academic Scholarships. Pop-up event on October 24th, 1-4pm, 11635 E Fulton St, Suite 500, Lowell, MI, USA."]

10/07/2026

🥰🥹🥰

Drum roll please…. TOGETHER WE RAISED $7,725 for Grand Rapids Trans Foundation 🤩 💓

We DOUBLED the amount raised last year thanks to the nearly 4,000 people that showed up throughout the night. We had over 100 tables of artists, community organizers, small businesses, and sponsors. This is quite the feat considering the first year we started with only 20 tables outside Transfigure Print Co. .. wild right?

Between the in person donations, raffle, silent auction, bar, merch sales, and gracious (but not expected) donations from our artist and food vendors, we’re able to help further the mission of Grand Rapids Trans Foundation and keep our Trans community thriving!

Our list of thank yous is endless but if you had any hand in Transfuse this year we owe it all to you. We love our Q***r and Trans community here in Grand Rapids and the allies that come out to support us every year.

Here’s to year FIVE in 2027! See you there 😉

[Image Description: A dark-colored background with a light texture. On the top there are two curved lines of text. They say “together we raised $7,725 for GRTF”. Underneath the text is a hand carved and stamped drawing of two figures in teal intertwined with their arms coming together in the middle. Between their arms are three stars, one pink, one blue, and one white. In a slightly curved line inside of the figures it reads “TransFuse” in wavy lettering and “Night Market” in bold text both cream colored. Surrounding the text and drawing are small white, tan, gold, pink, and blue stars.]

10/07/2026

We are a little late getting this graphic posted (😅), but Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! We honor the legacy of Hispanic activism, advocacy, art, and culture, both here in the Grand Rapids area and in broader North America.

Learn more about the month and the impact of key historical Hispanic people here: https://tinyurl.com/grtf-hhm

🌺🌺🌺

[Image Description: set against a black background is a handful of pink and red flowers, circled by a floral ring. Text reads "September 15th through October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month."]

10/07/2026

THANK YOU, West Shore Aware! ✨

This week, GR Trans Foundation was also awarded $10,000 from West Shore Aware, a group of LGBTQIA+ folks on the Lakeshore that have been supporting vital community organizations since 2003! During a very difficult year for Trans people (societally, emotionally, mentally, and financially), these funds will be put to good use supporting Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive community members in West MI with name changes, document updates, transportation support, and more! We are deeply grateful for the trust and the support. 💖 A big shout-out to you, West Shore Aware team!

[Image Description: set against a black background. At the top of the graphic is West Shore Aware's logo. Text reads "Thank you, West Shore Aware!" Below that is a photo of the West Shore Aware team, as well as GRTF's Executive Director Ximon and Board President Patti, holding a large check for $10,000." At the bottom, text reads "With much love and gratitude, Grand Rapids Trans Foundation."]

10/06/2026

GR Trans Foundation is extending an enormous THANK YOU and shout-out to Michigan AnthroWeekend for hosting us as their featured charity during their first-year convention! We had an amazing weekend tabling and chatting with convention attendees, and were thrilled to spend time at this really magical event. During the course of the weekend, this amazing group of attendees + the MAW organization raised $12,000 for our organization! 💖 These funds will directly support local Trans & Nonbinary services through GRTF.

🐾🏳️‍⚧️🐾

With deep gratitude,
The GR Trans Foundation team

[Image Description: set against a dark blue background. At the top of the graphic are Michigan Anthro Weekend's logo and Grand Rapids Trans Foundation's logo. Text reads "Thank you, Michigan Anthro Weekend 2026!" Below that are two pictures of the organizers of the event and Ximon, GRTF's executive director. There are also some clipart images of rainbow-striped pawprints and a person in a Trans-colored fursuit.]

10/05/2026

🔥THE LAST DAY TO PREORDER THESE RAD DESIGNS from and , with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Trans-affirming services of GR Trans Foundation! (All printing by .)

Get your orders in before Monday (10/5) at NOON!
tinyurl.com/grtf-preorder

[Image Description: Text reads "T-Shirt Preorder closes noon on Monday (10/5). 100% proceeds to GRTF. Images of 3 shirt designs: "Bite Back" in white on a dark navy blue shirt, "Fight Like Hell for Trans Lives" in white on a black shirt, and "Fight Like Hell for Trans Lives" in red on a light pink shirt.]

10/02/2026

We are now hiring for our next Executive Director!

Recently, cofounder and current Executive Director Ximón Kittok (they/them) announced they'd be stepping down after 11 years, so we are on the hunt for a skilled & passionate replacement to help us usher in the next chapter of Grand Rapids Trans Foundation! You'll be a part of our "small but mighty" impact-driven team, in service of our local Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive community. 🏳️‍⚧️

GRTF supports and celebrates Trans folks in West Michigan, and plays a vital service-focused role in helping them flourish. ✨ Do you want to be an integral part of that mission?

Learn more and apply at https://grtransfoundation.org/jobs/!
Position will remain open until filled.

[Image Description: image has a light blue background. Text reads "We are hiring! GR Trans Foundation Executive Director." On the left, there appears a cartoon figure holding a pencil over a notebook; the pencil has a Trans rainbow shooting out its top to a dark blue box that reads "Learn more and apply at grtransfoundation.org/jobs. The Grand Rapids Trans Foundation is in the bottom right corner.]