ITL Sponsor Organization

Initiative for Transgender Leadership, Sponsor Organization Recruitment

The Initiative for Transgender Leadership (ITL) is a grassroots effort run by three partners committed to positively impacting community life through professional and leadership development of transgender youth. ITL is administratively supported by Persad Center and is wholly funded by individual donations.

ITL seeks to grant a paid, 10-month, $12,000 part time Fellowship to one motivated trans-identified young person (age 17-25). The Fellow will be selected through an application process, administered by a committee of community professionals committed to diverse causes.

Our idea is that one motivated young trans person can change the world through their creativity and dedication if provided with a welcoming and supportive place to work. Not enough doors have been open to trans youth for professional development; in fact, hazards and concerns around simply “coming out” in the professional realm can be a barrier to learning and accomplishment. We are committed to generate a new experience of safety and agency for trans youth in the working world.

The ITL Fellowship will connect a Sponsoring Organization with a self-directed young person, whether or not they possess previous professional experience. The Sponsor Organization will gain fresh perspective, an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to a diverse workforce and a unique project that expands their service capacity.

The ITL Sponsoring Organization will receive a direct donation of $6,000.00 from ITL to cover the administrative and physical costs of providing workspace, supplies and supervision to the Fellow.

Sponsoring Organization Candidates must possess:

Transgender Cultural Competency – Demonstrates a commitment to developing sensitivity to transgender people by familiarizing themselves on an organizational level with transgender terms, concepts and cultural history. This capacity may be already in place, or can be provided by ITL. A professionally-delivered transgendered cultural competency workshop can be provided free of charge as part of the preparation for the fellowship.

Capacity for adaptive supervision – Ability to assign a primary supervisor with whom the ITL fellow may collaborate creatively; who will assist with administrative direction and support, and provide nurturance in the area of professional development.

Willingness and openness -- to have the Fellow contribute to the organization as much as the organization will contribute to the Fellow, e.g. reciprocity and mutuality. This may include the Fellow promulgating a new project to assist the mission of the organization, and will require a collaborative, fresh approach.


To Apply

Send a Letter of Intent to Transleadership@gmail.com or to ITL, 819 Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15221