Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund

The Denver Foundation is pleased to invite qualified nonprofits to apply for funding from the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund. Donor Name: The Denver Foundation State: Colorado County: Denver County (CO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 10/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The fund is managed by The Denver Foundation in partnership with a community advisory board composed of representatives from the Denver Mayor’s Office, Denver City Council, Colorado Lawyers Committee, immigrant rights groups, and The Denver Foundation. The purpose of the fund is to increase legal services to Denver’s immigrant community by providing qualified nonprofit organizations with grants to: Offer direct legal representation to immigrants in detention and/or subject to removal proceedings. Provide affirmative relief to individuals seeking help with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and various visa programs. Support capacity building or other innovative projects to help organizations increase the pool of pro-bono or low-bono immigration attorneys available to represent immigrants. Funding to assist in the course of representation, including legal resources and/or scholarships to pay for filing and other representation-related application fees. The Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund Advisory Board established the following funding priorities. Category 1 Removal defense for individuals who are detained at the Aurora Detention Facility and those released from the facility who have cases pending in Denver Immigration Court. Category 2 Affirmative relief and removal defense for and people not in detention. Category 3 Building capacity for direct legal representation. Category 4 Filing Fees, Legal Fees. Funding Information Typical Grant Range: $25,000 to $200,000. Eligibility Criteria Your organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and be in good standing with the IRS and the State of Colorado. Your organization must demonstrate knowledge of the Denver immigrant community, including populations that are most vulnerable to immigration enforcement action (e.g., arrest, detention, and removal). Your organization must have strong working relationships with a diverse network of community-based organizations, legal service providers, and faith-based institutions that have direct contact with immigrants and refugees. Your organization must have previous experience and capacity to collaborate with key partners, such as legal services providers, law firms, bar associations, and private attorneys, to promote greater access to legal services. Your organization must meet the requirements for the different categories below, depending on which category you are applying to. Funds may only be used to support individuals who meet the following criteria: Are residents of the City and County of Denver (a “resident” is an individual living in the State of Colorado who can verify his or her presence in the City and County of Denver for at least 60 days). Have a household income that does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Present with viable claims, need the advice of counsel, or are offered removal defense representation without an initial screening based on eligibility for relief. Services can also be offered to individuals for affirmative relief or defense from removal. Individuals subject to actual or potential immigration removal proceedings; have been arrested or detained by immigration officials; have a final order of removal; and/or are seeking status-related benefits such as work authorization. For more information, visit The Denver Foundation.