Overview
What is the purpose of the Immigrant Defense Fund?
Greater Boston is home to over 800,000 immigrant and refugee residents, including an estimated 180,000 individuals without immigration status who may need deportation defense. Collectively, they contribute to the economic vitality and vibrant cultural fabric of our communities.
Greater Boston’s Immigrant Defense Fund, part of the Delivering on the Dream (DOTD) national funding network, is a public-private partnership and funder collaborative committed to building Greater Boston’s capacity to protect and defend our immigrant and refugee communities by increasing access to the following critical resources and services:
• Legal representation for individuals facing deportation proceedings in Immigration Court who cannot afford a lawyer
• Community education and preparedness programming such as Know Your Rights trainings, legal screenings and referrals, etc.
Request for Proposals
Cover Sheet
Budget Template
Why is representation important?
In many detention proceedings, having an attorney can make all the difference. According to the National Study of Access to Counsel, detained people who have a lawyer are 10.5 times more likely to be granted some form of relief. This fund is a step towards addressing the need for representation among those facing deportation, especially those in detention.
Who will benefit from the fund?
With the overall goal of helping as many individuals as possible, the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund has identified key eligibility criteria for legal services providers and community organizations in receiving funds (see the RFP for more details). Additionally, grantees will focus services on individuals and communities that fall within the following categories:
• Legal services providers who receive awards through the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund must prioritize services for low-income individuals who need immediate deportation defense and who are unable to afford a lawyer.
• Community organizations who receive awards must focus education and outreach in areas where immigration enforcement pose a threat to community wellbeing.
Watch the City of Boston’s press conference announcing the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund – September 13, 2017
Fundraising
How much funding will the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund be awarding through this Request for Proposals?
Currently, more than $1.1 million has been pledged by Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund partners. The Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund is continuing to engage with new partners to increase funding.
Who are the current funders of the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund?
The funding for the 2-year pilot program was provided through the generous support of local foundations and corporate partners. The City of Boston will be providing in-kind support for the Fund through the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. Partners for the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund include:
How can I make a donation to the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund?
To make a secure, tax-deductible donation online, click the donate button to the right, and enter “Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund” or “GBIDF” in the Designation box.
To donate by mail, please send a check payable to the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation to the address listed below. Please write Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund or GBIDF in the memo field of your check.
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
7 Winthrop Square, 2nd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Process
Who will be administering the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund?
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (“MLAC”), the largest funding source for civil legal aid programs in Massachusetts, will serve as the initiative’s fiscal sponsor. As the fiscal sponsor, MLAC will coordinate a process to review proposals of and then distribute the grants to nonprofit agencies and legal services providers seeking grants from the Fund, in line with the priorities and eligibility requirements outlined in the RFP. Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), a statewide poverty law and policy center and Immigration Coalition convenor, will serve as the coordinator for the network of Immigrant Defense Fund grantees.
What is the role of the City of Boston in the Fund?
The City of Boston, through the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement, will be tracking and evaluating the impact of the initiative over the course of a two-year pilot period.
For how long will the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund operate?
The Fund will operate for a two-year pilot period.
Eligibility
Who will be eligible to receive funding?
Nonprofit agencies and nonprofit legal services providers with 501(c)(3) status, based in the Greater Boston area, that meet the following eligibility criteria may apply:
• Located in communities along and/or east of the 495 corridor (i.e. inclusive of Lawrence, Lowell) as well as 195 (i.e. inclusive of Fall River, New Bedford).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Greater Boston immigrant community, including populations that are most vulnerable to immigration enforcement action.
• Proven track-record and capacity to provide services to immigrants in the Greater Boston area.
What is the exact geographic area for funding?
This RFP will support only organizations in communities that fall along and/or east of the 495 corridor (i.e. inclusive of Lawrence, Lowell) as well as 195 (i.e. inclusive of Fall River, New Bedford)–the area shaded green in the map below.
The Request for Proposals says it will support two broad categories of activities. Can my organization apply for funding in more than one category?
Organizations can apply for one or both of the categories of funded activities. The two categories are: (1) Enhancing legal service capacity; (2) Strengthening community education, outreach, organizing & referrals.
I am an attorney in private practice. Can I apply for funding?
No, only nonprofit agencies and nonprofit legal services providers are eligible to apply for funding. However, if you are an attorney who is interested in offering pro bono services to immigration court defendants, contact Janne Hellgren at jhellgren@mlac.org to learn how you can get involved.
How can individuals access legal services through the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund?
The Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund will not be directly providing legal representation. The Fund will increase access to legal representation for immigrants in removal proceedings by supporting a network of nonprofit agencies and legal services providers. Following the announcement of grant awards this fall, grantees will begin implementation. We expect these organizations to expand and enhance their legal services by this winter. For a list of legal services programs and their and their service areas, please visit mlac.org/help/.
My organization is interested in applying. How can I learn more about the fund?
Organizations interested in applying are highly encouraged to join a conference call, which will discuss the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund activities, review the application process, and explain other administrative requirements. The conference call details are as follows:
Monday, September 18, 2017 1-2PM EST
Conference #617-367-9194 PIN #907104
What information do I need to include about my organization’s board and staff in the application?
Please use the chart below as a guide.
| Name | Town/City of Residence | Occupation & Employer | Applicable Background/Expertise | Year Started |
| Chair/President of Board | ||||
| Board Officers | ||||
| Board Members | ||||
| Others (e.g. Advisory Committee) |
Application
When are applications due?
Applications must be submitted via email by 5 pm on September 29, 2017 to Janne Hellgren at MLAC: jhellgren@mlac.org.
When will grants be distributed?
The review process is expected to take place over a 2-4 week period. Grants will be awarded to the selected recipients in the early fall. Both one- and two-year grants are available to qualified nonprofit agencies and legal services providers.