The Indianapolis Immigrant Legal Services Fund

This program is administered by The Indianapolis Foundation. The mission of the Indianapolis Immigrant Legal Services Fund is to provide equitable access to legal support and representation to immigrant Hoosiers in Marion County.

GrantMAKING

Grantmaking will prioritize organizations providing prevention and/or intervention immigration services.  Prevention services can include but are not limited to, filing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications, applications to naturalize as a U.S. Citizen (N400), applications for employment authorization (i765), etc.  Intervention services can include but are not limited to providing removal defense before an immigration court, providing legal defense during bond hearings, providing assistance in seeking asylum or withholding of removal, etc.

Who can apply?

• Registered 501(c)3 organizations.
• Organizations that have partnered with a registered not-for-profit fiscal agent.
• Priority will be given to organizations that demonstrate a strong record of providing high-quality legal representation to immigrant Hoosiers navigating USCIS processes, detained immigrants, and/or immigrants facing removal.
• Organizations must have licensed attorneys on staff with immigration law experience of at least two years or more.
• Organizations must demonstrate that all professionals (attorneys, social workers, etc.) involved in providing services have the appropriate professional licenses and are in good standing professionally.
• If serving detained individuals, the organization should demonstrate the ability to consult with and represent clients in area detention facilities.
• Commit to community engagement and to building power in communities impacted by immigration enforcement.
• For organizations looking to add an immigration department they must have a track record of serving Immigrant community members for the last 5 years.

Grants award range from $50,000 to $100,000

Focus on efforts including but not limited to: 

• Providing assistance with USCIS applications.  For example supporting with DACA, N400, and i765 applications.
• Providing removal defense before an immigration court
• Providing assistance in seeking asylum or withholding of removal (affirmative or defensive)
• Providing legal defense during bond hearing

TIMELINE

HOW TO APPLY

The Indianapolis Foundation uses SmartSimple for its Immigrant Legal Service Fund application. This guide walks you through the process of setting up an account. For additional technical assistance, contact GrantSupport@cicf.org. To start an application, click here. Applications for round 3 are due by 11:59pm, November 1.

SUBMIT your application BY 11:59 p.m. on November 1, 2024

In May of 2021, the Indianapolis City Council approved Fiscal Ordinance No. 9-2021, which approved the appropriation of funds to pilot the Indianapolis Immigrant Legal Services Fund for Hoosiers who are seeking support through the immigration process or those at risk of deportation.  

REPORTING

All grant recipients will be required to submit reports to The Indianapolis Foundation which will be made available to the City for review. Grant reports will be provided with award notification.