Indianapolis Foundation’s Immigrant Legal Services Fund

The Indianapolis Immigrant Legal Services Fund is a local initiative dedicated to ensuring that immigrants in Marion County have equitable access to high-quality legal services. Founded in May 2021 through a collaboration between the City-County Council of Indianapolis and The Indianapolis Foundation, the fund is administered by The Indianapolis Foundation, which also leads fundraising efforts. Since its inception, the fund has grown to nearly one million dollars and serves as a crucial support mechanism for organizations providing immigration-related legal assistance. The fund focuses on both preventative and intervention-based legal services. Prevention services include assistance with applications to renew Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), applications for U.S. naturalization (N400), and employment authorization (i765). On the intervention side, funded organizations may provide legal defense during removal proceedings, support during bond hearings, or representation in asylum and withholding of removal cases. The overarching aim is to ensure that immigrants can navigate the complex U.S. immigration system with dignity, safety, and appropriate legal support. Eligibility is limited to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and those working under a registered nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Priority is given to applicants with a demonstrated track record of high-quality legal services for immigrant populations, particularly those navigating USCIS procedures, facing detention, or removal. Applicants must have licensed attorneys with at least two years of immigration law experience. All service professionals must have appropriate licenses in good standing. Organizations working with detained individuals must demonstrate capacity to consult and represent clients in area detention centers. Additionally, organizations without an immigration department may apply only if they have a proven five-year history of serving immigrant communities. The Indianapolis Foundation and The Clowes Fund continue to strengthen the city's legal services infrastructure through ongoing engagement with providers, capacity-building efforts, and collaborative strategy development. The fund invites wider community participation to build a more inclusive legal ecosystem for immigrant residents of Indianapolis and Marion County. Grants awarded through this fund will range from $50,000 to $100,000. Funding is intended to support efforts such as USCIS application assistance, asylum and removal defense, bond hearing representation, and other essential immigration legal services. Interested applicants should direct questions to Fabio Yataco, Senior Community Leadership Officer at The Indianapolis Foundation, via email at fabioy@indianapolisfoundation.org.

Organizations with proven track record and immigration-specific attorney expertise will be prioritized. Engage in broader community and strategy-building efforts.