The Fund for Health Equity was established by Direct Relief with an initial investment of $75 million to address health disparities and expand access to care in underserved communities. The fund supports local health providers and community-based organizations that are working to eliminate barriers to quality healthcare. By focusing on long-term, systemic change, the fund aims to improve health outcomes for historically marginalized populations across the United States.

Region(s) Served: Baja California, Central California, Northern California, San Diego & Imperial Counties, Southern California, Statewide
Targeted Communities: Community-Based Organizations
Target Focus/Issue Area(s): Health & Wellness
Type of Support: Grants
Funding Accessibility: Invite only
Scale of Funding Offered: $100k+
Timeline of Grant Period: 1 year +

VISIT FUND

The California Immigrant Justice Infrastructure Fund (the Fund) seeks to invest in and strengthen a thriving power-building ecosystem that can address the immediate and long-term needs of immigrant, migrant, and refugee communities across the state. The Fund aims to move at least $1 million to $3 million annually over the next three years to organizations on the front lines of the fight for immigrant justice in California.

The Fund is building on the success of the California Dignity for Families Fund (CDFF), which GCIR launched in May 2021 as part of a public-private partnership with the State of California. CDFF mobilized philanthropic dollars to provide humanitarian relief to migrants arriving at the southern California border, ensure due process for asylum seekers, and support their integration into receiving communities. Over two years, CDFF disbursed nearly $11 million in timely, equitable investments to 44 community-based organizations.

Those organizations are part of a growing ecosystem of migrant justice groups that assist newly arrived migrants through humanitarian relief, legal services, and holistic case management; provide humane and effective alternatives to detention and surveillance; and advocate tirelessly for local and statewide programs that meet the needs of immigrant communities. Some of these organizations have also implemented power building and narrative strategies, recognizing that such approaches support long-term, systemic, and sustainable change.

In order to advance, evolve, and grow this work, the California Immigrant Justice Infrastructure Fund will:

• Resource and strengthen the internal and external capacity of grassroots organizations serving migrant and refugee communities often excluded from grantmaking priorities.
• Fortify existing regional organizing infrastructure by investing in the collective capacity of formal and informal networks, coalitions, and hubs to plan, strategize, and coordinate, particularly in under-funded regions.
• Advance, protect, sustain, and implement policy opportunities at the state and local levels by resourcing discrete and timely campaigns grounded in community needs, interests and strategies.

Region(s) Served: Statewide
Targeted Communities: Community-Based Organizations
Target Focus/Issue Area(s): Immigration
Type of Support: Grants
Funding Accessibility: Open for Submissions
Scale of Funding Offered: --
Timeline of Grant Period: --

VISIT FUND

Immigration proceedings are civil, not criminal, which means that the government will not provide a lawyer to people who cannot afford one. Many people qualify for relief from deportation that would allow them to remain in the United States, but they must prove their eligibility and doing so requires presenting both legal arguments and evidence. Additionally, due to the criminalization of immigrants in the United States, ICE has broad power to “detain” people, or jail them, during their immigration proceedings, and many Long Beach residents have been detained at the Adelanto Detention Facility.

Since 2018, Long Beach has funded some removal defense for people whom ICE has detained during their court proceedings through the Long Beach Justice Fund. The intention behind focusing the funding on people who are detained and fighting against deportation was to address the most acute need first. People who are not detained may still face deportation and sometimes permanent exile from their homes and families, but the process usually takes longer and they may have greater ability to find a lawyer.

Over the past four years, LBJF has had many successes. Forty Long Beach residents have received legal help through LBJF; that assistance has meant more time together for Long Beach families. Additionally, the program has given community members a greater sense of safety; increased public education about the immigration system; and helped to shift local narratives surrounding immigration enforcement. However, community advocates who make referrals to the program have also identified several growth areas for the program, both in terms of the types of cases residents require legal assistance with and in terms of how the program liaises with clients, their families, and other advocates.

Region(s) Served: Southern California
Targeted Communities: Individuals
Target Focus/Issue Area(s): Immigration, Justice Reform
Type of Support: Grants, Immediate Relief
Funding Accessibility: Open for submissions
Scale of Funding Offered: --
Timeline of Grant Period: --

VISIT FUND

The Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building provides small, one-time grants to frontline grassroots organizations for new projects. These projects should address an unexpected, urgent event or external challenge while strengthening the voice and power of low-income residents and people of color. Between November 15, 2024, and January 31, 2025. the Fund will only accept applications for projects that are: 

• related to the outcome of the 2024 general election, such as protest and actions in solidarity with targeted communities (e.g., immigrants, LGBTQIA+, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and supporting community and organizer safety (e.g., trainings, wellness, and legal defense needs). 
• administered by a 501(c)(3) organization for non-lobbying purposes.
• support efforts within the five Bay Area counties. 

These funds are typically available within 30 days of receiving a funding request. Given that November through January are very busy months for several key SFF departments that support grantmaking, we ask for more flexibility than usual in processing RRF grants. 

Additionally, applications should address the following criteria:

• Timely and urgent: Your organization must be responding to an unanticipated catalyzing event or urgent external challenge.
• Opportunity for immediate impact: The project is strategic with a clear timeline and goals, with the desired outcomes having the potential to positively affect the community right away.
• Clear focus on racial and/or economic equity: Your project specifically addresses racial and/or economic inequities. It should demonstrate a clear equity framework, explicitly responding to the unique needs, challenges, and strengths of marginalized communities.
• Movement- and power-building: The project must aim to build the voice and power of people of color or other marginalized communities.

Region(s) Served: Northern California
Targeted Communities: Community-Based Organizations, 501(c)3 status
Target Focus/Issue Area(s): Democracy & Civic Engagement, Equity & Racial Justice, Justice Reform, Public & Policy & Government Relations 
Type of Support: Grants
Funding Accessibility: Open for submissions
Scale of Funding Offered: $0 - $25k
Timeline of Grant Period: 6 months - 1 year

VISIT FUND