What is the Area Scatter Fund?
The Area Scatter Fund is a grassroots emergency relief initiative created by The Kolanut Collective (TKC). It provides small, one-time financial support to young Nigerian queer creatives who are facing urgent needs. We understand the unique and often difficult challenges faced by queer creatives in Nigeria, which is why the fund offers emergency micro-grants ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦20,000. These grants are meant to cover essential and immediate needs.
This fund seeks to provide a minimal financial cushion for those experiencing temporary difficulty, helping them stay on track as they navigate their creative, personal, and communal journeys.
What We May Fund:
- Transportation for emergency travel
- Internet/data to support creative work or connect to vital resources
- Personal care and hygiene essentials
- Medication or urgent health expenses
- Emergency academic fees (but not tuition)
- One-off expenses due to harassment or displacement
Our Capacity
We expect to support between one and four individuals per month, depending on the number and size of requests we receive. The fund is possible due to the generous donation of an individual donor and has a limited size and capacity, which means we may not be able to respond to or support every application. Our team is made up of volunteers, and due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to offer personalized feedback. If you don’t hear back from us within one week of submitting your application, it will be reasonable to consider it unsuccessful.
Why We Created This Fund
The life of a creative in Nigeria is often unstable, with many lacking consistent income or institutional support. For queer creatives, this situation is even more challenging due to additional layers of marginalization, including societal rejection, discrimination, housing instability, and health inequities. These barriers can make it difficult for them to meet even their most basic needs.
The Area Scatter Fund was created in direct response to these realities. We believe that small, intentional acts of solidarity can provide meaningful relief. This fund is one of those acts. Your generous contributions, no matter how little, can make a difference as well. Consider donating by reaching us at info.tkcollective@gmail.com.
The Story Behind ‘Area Scatter’
The fund is named after Area Scatter, a legendary gender-nonconforming performer from Eastern Nigeria. Known for their bold self-expression and captivating musical performances across villages, Area Scatter often dressed in women’s attire. They lived and performed unapologetically in a deeply traditional society, and in doing so, were not just accepted but admired for their talent, authenticity, and charisma.
We use their name to honor the memory of a queer ancestor who lived out loud and brought joy to many. This fund extends their legacy of courage, creativity, and resilience.
We also use this name as a metaphor. We want to reach out to members of our community whose “area” might currently be scattered, but who, with a little support, can gather their strength, find balance, and continue their journey.
Eligibility and What We Fund
Who Can Apply?
- Queer creatives living in Nigeria, aged 18–35
- You do not need to be affiliated with any organization
- Applications must be submitted individually
What We Will Not Fund:
- Creative projects or events (e.g., exhibitions, shows)
- Political or party-related activities
- Equipment purchases (e.g., laptops, phones, cameras)
- Tuition or long-term academic fees
- Rent, security deposits, or relocation costs
- Business start-up costs or investments
- Debt repayment or loans
- Routine bills (e.g., subscriptions, utilities)
How to Apply:
To Apply for the Area Scatter Fund, please complete the application form HERE.
Other Resources for Queer Creatives
We understand that we cannot meet all the emergency needs of our community. Below are links to other resources that may benefit you and your project.
- ISDAO Asanka Fund – https://isdao.org/en/asanka-fund
- The Other Foundation – https://www.theotherfoundation.org
- The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant – https://www.gottliebfoundation.org/emergency-grant
- Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice – https://www.astraeafoundation.org
- Futures Fund by FRIDA and Astraea – https://youngfeministfund.org
- Urgent Action Fund-Africa – https://urgentactionfund-africa.or.ke
- Opportunity Point – http://www.opportunitypoint.org
About The Kolanut Collective (TKC)
The Kolanut Collective (TKC) is a Nigerian youth-led creative arts collective dedicated to deepening conversations around critical social issues, particularly queer and other minority struggles. We do this through dialogue, artistic collaborations, cultural experiences, and innovative advocacy.
Our name is inspired by the kolanut, a culturally significant fruit used across West Africa in rituals of respect, community, and reconciliation. Like the kolanut, we aim to embody hospitality, unity, and integrity in everything we do.
TKC brings together young artists, feminists, advocates, and change makers working toward a world that centers queer voices and demands justice. Through “artivism,” community resourcing, cultural programming, and intersectional storytelling, we are building a dynamic movement for equity, self-expression, and healing.
Please support our work. Reach us with the links below:
The Kolanut Collective 
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