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...]

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...]

Drew Lodi, the first recipient of a Jim Collins Foundation grant, wanted to share his story and give back to the organization that helped him. To do that, he made this moving video  about his life, his struggles with not having the money for his medically necessary surgery, and how instead of giving up hope he began to collect cans to save money towards the cost for surgery. In the video, he describes how receiving a Jim Collins Foundation grant changed his life and inspired him to give back. Drew began a fundraising campaign called "Passing the Hope," where he set out to complete the Spartan … [Read more...]

This past year, the foundation received over 300 applicants, most of whom were desperate for assistance. A nation-wide selection committee comprised of anonymous transgender individuals chose the 2012 grantees based on financial need. After the grantees were selected, the foundation contacted the surgeons that the grantees selected as part of their application. One of those surgeons - Dr. Christine McGinn at the Papillon Center in New Hope, Pennsylvania - agreed to assist the foundation. Usually, the foundation provides funding for a grantee's surgery, hospital fees, and anesthesia costs. … [Read more...]

Hi Everyone, My name is Drew. I received the first grant from the Jim Collins Foundation in 2011. I am having a fundraiser from now until Aug. 12, 2012. I have made this video in hopes that sharing my journey and choosing a challenging race will bring in more pledges. … [Read more...]

(North Branford , CT ) May 3, 2012 - The Jim Collins Foundation has received an unprecedented grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies Director/Employee Designated Gift Fund in the amount of $20,000. The donation will go directly to providing gender-confirming surgeries to transgender individuals who need, but cannot afford, potentially life-saving medical procedures. "We are thrilled to receive this level of support” said Stephanie Houle, treasurer and board member for The Jim Collins Foundation. "We have been running on the generosity of individual donations and fundraising dollar by dollar … [Read more...]