Community ACTivators is a micro-grant program for gender expansive (trans, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, etc.) folks and cisgender men who identify as being androsexual and/or attracted to men, masculinity, transmasculinity, or masc folks.
This program aims to:
- Engage community in fun and meaningful ways by creating social and cultural connections, and intentionally holding space for those who have been historically underserved including Black, Indigenous and people of colour, trans/nonbinary/gender expansive folks, people who use substances, sex workers, etc.
- Improve health outcomes for gender expansive, trans, nonbinary, and cisgender queer folks through knowledge, resource and skill sharing
- Support community members’ physical, sexual, and/or mental health and well-being through meaningful community outreach
Three (3) community leaders are being invited to create social and cultural events/programs aimed to foster the physical, emotional and social well-being of queer and gender expansive community members in the GTA. Accepted applications can receive up to $1200 to develop and facilitate a community program.
For Summer 2024, July 10th, 2024 is the application deadline.
Please Note:
- Applicants can submit multiple applications for different projects, but applicants will not receive funding for more than one project.
- Priority is given to applicants from underserved communities such as: folks living with HIV or AIDS, QT-BIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) folks, and gender diverse folks.
- Micro-grant recipients are not considered as ACT employees or contractors. Though ACT will support you in developing and delivering these projects, an applicant’s work is independent from ACT.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What projects are not suited for the Community ACTivators Micro-grant program?
Due to the limited amount of time and resources, there is only a few times of projects that we can support within a year. We would not recommend signing up for this program if you have a project in mind that;
- Focuses on therapeutic interventions;To facilitate and foster a welcoming environment, there are more precautions necessary to ensure the safety of participants and applicant in a therapy session. ACT will not be able to provide readily available social workers, and therefore is unable to provide this kind of programming.
- Requires paid facilitators or contributors;
- Community ACTivators intends to empower community leaders in creating innovative programs for community members that help increase knowledge and awareness around sexual, mental, physical and social well-being. Due to this, we would not be able to support applicants who are looking to hire other facilitators or contributors.
- Requires the purchase of computer, A/V or other technological equipment.
- ACT will be able to provide laptops, computers, printers, microphones, speakers, etc if needed. However, we are unable to support a project that requires the purchase of any new devices/technology.
2. Who can apply for a Community ACTivator Micro-grant?
You can apply to Community Activators if you:
- Identify as a gay, bi, pan, asexual, androsexual, and/or queer community(ies), or
- Identify as being androsexual and/or attracted to men, masculinity, transmasculine, or masc folks, and
- Identify as cisgender man, trans, nonbinary, and/or other gender diverse identity(ies), and
- Live in the GTA
3. What is the maximum contribution for a project?
The maximum contribution for a project is $1200. The amount assigned to a project is dependent on the goals, projected outcomes, and financial requirements of each selected project. As part of the process, the Queer Community Health Systems Coordinator will be supporting you in creating a budget.
4. How many projects will be funded?
Up to three projects will be approved.
5. What are possible expenses for a project?
Each project is unique, and expenses can vary depending on what the project may be. All expenses must be related directly with the completion of a project or supporting community members in accessing the program. Some examples are:
- Transit fare for participants (mandatory expense for in-person events)
- Exercise equipment for participants, such as yoga mats
- Cost of food for participants (mandatory expense for in-person events)
- Writing utensils for participants
- etc.
6. What projects cannot be supported by Community ACTivators Micro-grant Program?
With the limitations of money and time, there are a few types of projects that we will be unable to support;
- Fundraising activities or events
- Activities already fully funded by other sources
- Gifts, alcohol, or flowers for individuals or groups
- Financial assistance to individuals
- Wages and/or honorariums for additional facilitators or contributors
- Expenses made prior to the approval of the project
7. Will I have access to the full $1200 grant for my project?
Unfortunately, you will not have direct access to the $1200 funding. All purchases will have to be approved and paid for by the Queer Community Health Systems Coordinator.
8. Will applicants be paid?
Selected applicants will be given a $300 honorarium for their time and efforts rather than “being paid”. Please note, for auditing purposes, you must be comfortable sharing your full legal name to receive your honorarium.
9. How will projects be selected?
After applicants have submitted their project proposals through the Community ACTivators Application Form, the application will be narrowed down by the Queer Community Health Systems Coordinator. The Trans and Nonbinary Focus Group will then decide the three (3) programs that are best for community. Applicant’s personal information will not be shared and will remain anonymous.
Once project proposals have been reviewed and selected, the Queer Community Health Systems Coordinator will only notify those selected, unless the applicant has asked for feedback via the application form.
Selected applicants can request project development assistance from the Queer Community Health Systems Coordinator, outside of the mandatory one-on-one meeting.
10. What will be required from the applicant once the project is accepted?
Applicants are expected to have a meeting with the Queer Community Health Systems Coordinator to help plan, budget and execute the project of the applicant[s]. They will support applicants in delivering and reaching the project goals as outline in their application.
As part of its evaluation process, ACT engages applicants and participants though quantitively and qualitative feedback opportunities. The Queer Community Health Systems Coordinator will be sending this to approved applicants in March to be filled out.
The PDF listed below is the proposed timeline for the Community ACTivator programming, starting this summer in 2024.
11. I want to have a virtual event/program. Is this allowed?
Virtual events and programs are more than welcome to apply! If you aren’t confident in your Zoom abilities, the Queer Community Systems Coordinator will be available to support you in hosting a virtual meeting. If you do not have access to Zoom, there are other video-conferencing apps you can use such as Microsoft Teams.
12. What are some examples of past projects?
Queer IFTAR (2023) – An event supporting the Queer Muslim Networks third annual “Queer Iftar Drive”. They have provided queer and trans Muslims in the GTA with a meal during Ramadan, a time where many community members experience isolation and loneliness due to religious trauma, conflicts of self and strained family relationships.
A – Zine Workshops – Zines have historically been used within many underserved communities, including queer communities, and they continue to be used today. While zines are fun, they are also community-informed direction towards education and change at an artistic, human level. Through encouraging discussions and supported research, this workshop aimed to promote the joy of tapping into creative energy and bonding with community to create a zine that reflects moments in time spent together.
Private Yoga Group (2024) – Led by a community leader yoga instructor, participants explored how to connect the body to the mind through dynamic stretches and movement. This space was intentionally inclusive of all bodies and abilities.
13. Who should I contact if I have questions?
The person of contact for this micro-grant program is the current Queer Community Health Systems Coordinator:
Kenny Dawkins (They/Xe/He)
Email: kdawkins@actoronto.org
Work phone: 416-340-8140