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2019

Responding to the lasting consequences of immigration policy and practices at our border

$550,000 Total

Our Immigration Response

With anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric at an all-time high, immigrants are facing unprecedented threats to their health and well-being, creating devastating and lasting consequences. We take a stand against these unjust practices and systems designed to dehumanize immigrants, create a culture of fear, and leave children and families with permanent trauma.

We partnered with three national organizations to respond to policies and practices along the border; to build power in communities; to triage and treat health and neglect in detention facilities; and to prepare for the lifelong physical and mental health needs resulting from immigrants’ journey and incarceration.

Church World Service’s Southern Border Shelter Program is tirelessly working to support immigrants’ immediate needs as they enter the U.S. or are abandoned after being released from detention or processing at the Southern Border. This network is providing temporary shelter, food, basic medical services, and transportation assistance to families. The program also works to reunite them with relatives or welcoming communities.

The Humanitarian Care Network is increasing capacity among U.S. medical centers to address the longer-term healthcare needs of immigrant children and families caused by inhumane separation and detention. The network is providing quality, specialized care and services to released immigrants in various regions across the U.S. Warm handoffs to trauma-informed care providers try combat the poor care received in shelters and mental health issues stemming from being separated from their family.

Faith in Action’s LA RED initiative is building the necessary community advocacy to ensure that all people in this country are able to take part in the full promise of democracy. This network of volunteers, congregations, and community groups fights for the rights of all immigrants and advocates for comprehensive policy reform at the local, state, and federal level.

2019

Safeguarding Access to Health Care at 4 affiliates in 4 states

$750,000 Total

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood’s health centers provide basic health care to 2.4 million people a year. PPFA provides its affiliates with tools, training, and consultation in a variety of areas — including governance, strategic restructuring, and clinical support — so that they remain operationally strong, financially stable, and able to provide the highest quality of care possible in a changing health care marketplace.

In 2019, we funded four affiliates that provide essential health care to thousands of people each year in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, North and South Carolina, West Virginia, and parts of Virginia. All four organizations have experienced loss of Title X funding and additional attacks, impacting the cost of accessing important health care by their patients. Collectively, they operate 49 health centers that provide critical services to more than 128,500 people each year.

2019

Ensuring health care access for low-income families in 7 states

$500,000 Total

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute. It pursues federal and state policies designed both to reduce poverty and inequality and to restore fiscal responsibility in equitable and effective ways. The organization works at a federal level and partners with a network of like-minded organizations working to affect change at the state level.

While congressional efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and cap federal Medicaid funding has been unsuccessful, the fight to preserve and protect health care coverage continues in many states. In some states, decision makers are taking legislative and administrative actions that would reduce access to coverage, particularly for the most vulnerable and poorest residents. The Center and its state partners work tirelessly to educate decision makers on the importance of health care coverage and to ensure access to health care for through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act.

In partnership with CBPP, we directed funding to seven affiliates that represent child advocacy organizations, and state policy and fiscal analysis organizations. Affiliates are located in Idaho, Nebraska, Kentucky, Missouri, Georgia, West Virginia, and Kansas. Organizations in funded states are either working to promote policies that will expand access to health care coverage or are working to protect against harmful policies that would restrict access to coverage.

2019

Targeting hard to count communities for the 2020 Census

$400,000 Total

Census Equity Fund at New Venture Fund

The New Venture Fund's 2020 Census Project is a donor collaborative developed by leaders from 10 foundations to support a fair and accurate 2020 Census.

We renewed our funding to the 2020 Census Project’s Census Equity Fund to support “Get Out the Count” activities targeting “hard to count” communities in selected regions. The fund will prioritize organizations from states that have few funders, high historical undercounts, and a large number of “hard to count” communities.

2018

Safeguarding access to health care at 5 affiliates across 10 states

$750,000 Total

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA)

In 2018, we renewed our partnership with Planned Parenthood and funded five affiliates that provide essential health care to thousands of people each year. The affiliates are located in some of the most challenging political environments in the country including Texas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana and Nebraska. Collectively, these five affiliates operate 55 health centers that provide healthcare to more than 194,000 people each year.

2018

Strengthening services at 32 affiliates across 14 states and DC

$500,000 Total

UnidosUS

UnidosUS collaborates closely with more than 250 community groups across the country that provide services to millions of Hispanic Americans and that use their expertise to give voice to issues facing Latinos. These nonprofits provide direct services —including educational tools for children and adults, workforce support, health services, cultural integration programs, and policy advocacy — that support the well-being of all American families.

This year, we renewed our partnership with UnidosUS and funded 32 organizations that provide services to millions of Hispanic Americans across the country. Grant funds will be used to hire new staff, increase the number of workshops and other services offered in community, and engage in more local advocacy.

2018

Ensuring health care access for low-income families in 8 states

$500,000 Total

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

In partnership with CBPP, we directed funding to eight affiliates that represent child advocacy organizations, and state policy and fiscal analysis organizations. Organizations in funded states are either working to promote policies that will expand access to health care coverage or are working to protect against harmful policies that would restrict access to coverage.

2018

Supporting immigrants through 17 New Americans Campaigns in 7 states and DC

$510,000 Total

Immigration Legal Resource Center (IRLC)

The ILRC seeks to improve immigration law and policy, expand the capacity of legal service providers, and advance immigrant rights. It trains attorneys, paralegals, and community-based advocates who work with immigrants around the country and informs the media, elected officials, and public to shape effective and fair immigration policy and law. The ILRC leads the New Americans Campaign, a diverse nonpartisan national network of respected immigration organizations, legal services providers, faith-based organizations, immigrant rights groups, foundations and community leaders. It is committed to connecting lawful permanent residents to trusted legal assistance and critical information to simplify the naturalization process.

There are nearly 9 million lawful permanent residents eligible for citizenship, but only 10 percent naturalize each year. At a time when anti-immigrant sentiment is at an all-time high in the United States, helping lawful permanent residents become citizens is pivotal in helping new Americans succeed. Research shows that citizenship leads to increased civic engagement, improved wage earnings and economic mobility, and greater family and community stability.

In partnership with ILRC, we directed grant funds to 17 local legal service organizations affiliated with the New Americans Campaign based in seven states plus the District of Columbia. Most organizations grapple with unmet funding needs due to either a lack of strong philanthropic presence and/or a lack of funding from local or state government.

2018

Targeting hard to count communities for the 2020 Census

$400,000 Total

Census Equity Fund at New Venture Fund

The New Venture Fund's 2020 Census Project is a donor collaborative developed by leaders from ten foundations to support a fair and accurate 2020 Census.

The Census is one of the most important elements of our democracy. The U.S Constitution requires a full count of the Country’s entire population every ten years. The population data collected by the Census is used to allocate billions of dollars in federal funding, enforce civil rights laws, and determine political representation. Research shows that children, homeless, lower income, lower education, English language learners, undocumented immigrants, and racial/ethnic minorities are least likely to be enumerated properly. With the Census Bureau facing budgetary constraints and the possible addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, advocates are concerned that these “hard to count” populations will be even harder to reach.

We directed funding toward the 2020 Census Project’s Census Equity Fund to support “Get Out the Count” activities targeting “hard to count” communities in selected regions. The fund will prioritize organizations from states that have few funders, high historical undercounts, and a large number of “hard to count” communities.

2017

Protecting immigrant rights with the new Regional Center for Border Rights in El Paso, TX.

$500,000 Total

American Civil Liberties Union

The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country. The ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.

The current administration’s call to “Build the Wall” and its policy of mandatorily detaining immigrants apprehended at the border have led to unprecedented levels of incarceration and xenophobia. Decisions to increase the workforce of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and ramp up federal and local immigration programs that “deputize” local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws further place immigrant communities at risk.

We directed funding to ACLU’s Regional Center for Border Rights in El Paso, Texas because it is at the epicenter of border enforcement activity and the potential civil and human rights abuses that come with it. Grant funds will enable the ACLU to expand staffing in the areas of communications, legal support, and policy counsel.

2017

Safeguarding access to health care at 8 affiliates across 16 states

$1,000,000 Total

Planned Parenthood

Under this administration, the threats to “defund” Planned Parenthood are real and imminent and stand to disproportionately affect people of color, those with low incomes, and those living in rural areas. Since federal dollars cannot be used for abortion services, “defunding” Planned Parenthood really means blocking patients who rely on public health care programs like Medicaid and Title X from getting essential, preventative health care at a Planned Parenthood health center. Approximately 60% of Planned Parenthood patients rely on these programs to access care.

In consultation with Planned Parenthood, we identified 8 affiliates that are on the frontline of attacks to funding and access to services. These affiliates, located in the South and Midwest face particularly hostile political environments, have limited philanthropic support, serve a high number of clients on Medicaid, operate in rural communities, and are fighting to ensure that women have access to safe and legal abortion services. Collectively, these eight affiliates operate 90 health centers that provide healthcare to more than 267,000 people each year.

2017

Critical support for 15 affiliates across 11 states

$500,000 Total

HIAS

For more than 130 years, HIAS, a Jewish American humanitarian organization, has worked to protect refugees who have been forced to flee their homelands because of who they are. HIAS supports refugees who have faced persecution for their ethnicity, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation. Its affiliates provide direct services to help refugees rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. In the midst of the largest refugee crisis in recorded history, with over 65 million people displaced around the world, HIAS plays a critical role in ensuring that refugees entering the United States get the services they need to survive and thrive.

The United States has historically been a global leader when it comes to providing a safe haven for people fleeing violence and persecution. The rhetoric and divisive policies implemented by the current administration has put the victims of the world’s worst humanitarian crises at further risk by emboldened, authorized discrimination, unprecedented disruptions to the refugee admission process, and severe funding cuts.

2017

Strengthen chapters in 37 states and support all Muslim communities in the US

$500,000 Total

Council on American-Islamic Relations

The Council on American-Islamic Relations is a grassroots civil rights advocacy group and America's largest Muslim civil liberties organization. With regional offices nationwide, CAIR promotes a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America through media relations, government relations, education and advocacy, and it works to ensure the Muslim voice is fairly represented.

American Muslims are experiencing unprecedented levels of hate, bias, and bigotry. Muslim communities across the country are dealing with arsons, vandalism, assaults, violence, harassment, verbal abuse, school bullying, and more. Communities that lack a local CAIR chapter are often vulnerable to increased hate attacks and bias incidents, see fewer individuals willing to report discrimination due to fear and intimidation, and have lower than desired levels of civic engagement and community involvement from the Muslim community.

2017

Bolster 10 offices across 6 states through general support

$500,000 Total

International Rescue Committee

In the US, the International Rescue Committee supports refugees and other displaced people to rebuild their lives through comprehensive resettlement and integration services in 27 cities. Its U.S. refugee program is one of the few lifelines for the more than 60 million people fleeing war and persecution from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Burma, DR Congo, Somalia, and Sudan.

While IRC only resettles refugees in welcoming communities, national politics have made this more difficult by bolstering anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiments. The negative political and public environment surrounding refugees in recent years and the divisive policies implemented by the new administration have put the victims of the world’s worst humanitarian crises at further risk by emboldened, authorized discrimination, unprecedented disruptions to the refugee admission process, and severe funding cuts.

In partnership with the IRC, we funded ten regional offices whose programs ensure that refugees thrive in America. Their work includes intensifying public education and civic engagement, expanding programmatic support in social services, combatting discrimination in schools and communities, and increasing immigration services to protect refugees from deportation.

2017

Strengthening services at 22 affiliates across 9 states

$500,000 Total

UnidosUS

There is a growing need for these services due to the harsh rhetoric of the new administration has caused unprecedented worry and concern in Latino communities about how their lives may be impacted by issues ranging from immigration to health care to education. Recent federal and state policies have left immigrant children and families, regardless of their immigration status, vulnerable to immigration enforcement and extreme levels of stress and fear.

We funded 22 organizations affiliated with UnidosUS that provide direct services to families. Many of these organizations have immediate specific needs or have seen a significant increase in client visits since the 2016 election.

2017

Support 20 grassroots organizations

$200,000 Total

Defending the Dream

In partnership with Hill-Snowdon Foundation and General Service Foundation, we joined the Defending the Dream Fund, which was launched in January 2017 to respond to the post-election threats to our inclusive democracy by rapidly resourcing grassroots organizations working in under-resourced areas or issues. Other funding partners including the Whitman Institute, Hyams Foundation, Veatch Program, Jessie Smith Noyes joined the effort to defend the dream of a more just and equitable country, and address the urgent needs of the moment.

In 2017, the Defending the Dream Fund awarded $605,000 to 50 organizations in under-resourced regions across the country that are working to protect, defend, and include those at the social, economic, political, and cultural margins of our society. We funded 20 organizations across the country that are building power in their communities.

GRANTEES

Strategic Regional Grants

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