The Jim Collins Foundation | PO Box 7097 | New York, NY 10150

Jim Collins Foundation

Support trans health

2014 Grant Recipient Omar Yadielle

I’m a warrior in the battle that has been through a lot. My life has been very difficult since I was born. I’ve always dressed and acted like a man. My family rejected me because of my gender identity, and I’m alone in the world, battling for my life in order to be a great human being. I was on the honor roll, delivered the graduation speech at my high school, and was a leader in LGBT clubs in school. All my life, I have been discriminated against by family, co-workers, and the state of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. I have been on the news speaking about the discrimination so that other people would … [Read more...]

2013 Year in Review

The Jim Collins Foundation raises money to fund gender-confirming surgeries for those transgender people who need surgery to live a healthy life, but have no ability to pay for it themselves. We recognize that for those people who require surgery for a healthy gender transition, lack of access to surgery may result in hopelessness, depression, and sometimes, suicide. The Jim Collins Foundation is a community-based initiative promoting the self-determination and empowerment of all transgender people. “Every time I hear or think about the Jim Collins Foundation I feel limitless and lighter than … [Read more...]

M. Dru Levasseur Featured on Savage Lovecast

"I lined up a guest expert to tackle your question, Confused. M. Dru Levasseur is a trans activist, attorney and the co-founder of the Jim Collins Foundation, an organization that funds gender-confirming surgeries." Listen to the full episode here: www.savagelovecast.com … [Read more...]

Education is Critical

The Jim Collins Foundation co-founders have presented nation-wide at transgender health conferences to address the widespread lack of understanding about transgender people's health care. Here, Tony Ferraiolo, a Certified Life Coach and transgender youth advocate, and Dru Levasseur, a national transgender rights attorney, present the workshop, "The Jim Collins Foundation: Why Do We Need It?" at the 2012 Connecticut Transgender Health and Law Conference. They discussed how many transgender people desperately need medical care that insurance just won't cover, whether due to anti-trans prejudice … [Read more...]

Gender-Affirming Surgery Grants Awarded by Jim Collins Foundation

March 26, 2013 (New York, NY) – The Jim Collins Foundation (JCF) is pleased to announce its 2013 grantees receiving funds for gender-affirming surgery. Hundreds of transgender people applied for a JCF grant, demonstrating urgency and financial need. Due to widespread discrimination in public and private health care, most transgender individuals have no access to this type of medically necessary coverage. Jim Collins Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization with a mission to fund gender-affirming surgery. 2013 JCF Grantees Nicky Roberts and Mac Anderson were selected by a … [Read more...]

2013 JCF Grantee Mac Anderson

When I first applied to the grant I was homeless and jobless and felt as though I had little to no support. It might have possibly been the lowest point in my life. I have pushed against discrimination towards me even in high school and middle school when no one would talk to me. I have lost many friends and family upon coming out. But it has ultimately led me to further happiness with myself. I am seeking to further my transition to allow me to be more aligned with my body and comfortable with myself and my identity. To be more comfortable in public, less worried about being outed, go to the … [Read more...]

2013 Jim Collins Foundation Grantee Nicky Roberts

Before surgery I would recoil inside when I saw a reflection in the mirror that was not congruent with my true identity. It left me stuck in a gray zone most people do not understand. It was a shadow that followed me everywhere. There is a comfort in knowing who I really am but with that comes limitations imposed on people like us by society and other relationships that may come along. To me gender confirmation surgery is not what brings happiness but what allows one to live life to its fullest, with confidence. While I’m transgender, I’m more than the sum of that. I’m an artist, a person … [Read more...]

Jim Collins Foundation Applauds Emerson’s Coverage of Donnie Collins’ Surgery

The Jim Collins Foundation is very pleased to hear that Emerson and Aetna have clarified their insurance policy to cover Donnie Collins' medically necessary procedure. It's critical that other insurance companies follow suit. The American Medical Association and other leading medical associations have called upon public and private insurance companies to lift the widespread exclusions targeting transgender people. The risk of harm from denial of health care for transgender people is very real. The Jim Collins Foundation exists to raise awareness of this very serious need and to give people … [Read more...]

Fraternity Supports Trans Student Donnie Collins

Excess Funds Donated to Jim Collins Foundation February 27, 2013 (New York, NY) – As news and social media sites have caught wind of fraternity fundraiser for Donnie Collins’ surgery, there has been an outpouring of public support, and funds raised have quickly exceeded the $8,100 goal. In response, Donnie Collins has pledged excess funds to the Jim Collins Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing financial assistance for gender-confirming surgeries. JCF co-founder and White House Champions of Change nominee Tony Ferraiolo, who founded and led a trans youth group Donnie participated … [Read more...]