Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees

At a time when immigrants, refugees, Native, rural and other historically marginalized communities are coming under immense attack, it is energizing to see groups like Northwest Area Foundation increase its commitment to change. We applaud the organization for stepping up in this moment by doubling its funding for the communities they serve. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g7Bs-DTT

On March 20th, join GCIR and the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition for our webinar, “Protecting Immigrant Families and Children.” One in four U.S. children lives in an immigrant family, and the next four years will bring unprecedented threats to their safety and wellbeing. The President has begun to militarize American communities to deport millions, an act of “mass deportation” that is traumatizing children living in immigrant families — 90 percent of whom are U.S. citizens. In Congress, proposals are swirling that would put food and healthcare programs out of reach for immigrant families while punishing states and localities that welcome immigrants. Families are being torn apart, and children are being uprooted from the only homes they’ve ever known or orphaned in their own homes. The chilling effect created by these actions is extending well beyond immigrant families and is already causing community-level trauma. The consequences of these threats will ripple across generations, shaping the country’s future for decades. Fortunately, there is an active, committed, and engaged network of organizations that are already mobilizing at the federal, state, and local levels. The Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition was founded to meet this moment, bringing together leading advocates for immigrants, children, education, and health. This webinar is an opportunity to learn more about how the Coalition is mobilizing its network to push Congress, engage local officials, and prepare communities to preserve rights and protections wherever possible. Register below ?? https://lnkd.in/gdSXQ_Xi #Webinar #ProtectImmigrants #ProtectKids

We hope you can join us, along with the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative and Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees for this event on April 3 addressing the important topic of What Funders Need to Know About Supporting Children in Immigrant Families.

Cairo Mendes, GCIR's Senior Director of State and Local Programs,?recently collaborated with our friends at?Northern California Grantmakers?on a blog piece highlighting the ways in which philanthropy can be in solidarity with immigrant communities who are under attack by the new federal administration. "This work is not new," write?Victoria Rodarte and Cairo Mendes. "The movement has fought for decades to make California one of the most pro-immigrant states in the country, where we passed sanctuary city laws, prevented local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, and expanded Medi-Cal access to undocumented immigrants. In this moment, the immigrant justice movement needs increased resources to respond to raids, deportations, and litigation opportunities, but also to bolster the movement’s capacity for long-term organizing, visioning, and policy change," they continue. We invite you to read the blog below. https://lnkd.in/gjDjatwQ

?? Defending Food Workers & Building Power ?? As immigration enforcement ramps up, frontline food system workers—who sustain our communities—face increasing threats to their safety, livelihoods, and labor rights. A new report from Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA) highlights the urgent need to build worker power and demand justice for nearly 28 million food workers exploited by the current system. Join us for a critical conversation with FCWA and grassroots worker-led organizations to hear frontline perspectives on resisting mass deportation threats while sustaining long-term organizing for justice. ?? What funders will gain: ? Concrete ways to support immediate protection & long-term systemic change ? Insight into critical resource gaps & funding needs ? Opportunities to stay connected & engaged This webinar will be held in English & Spanish with interpretation. High-level notes and follow-up resources will be shared with registrants. In partnership with the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) , Funders for Regenerative Agriculture, and Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees. ?? Don't miss this chance to stand in solidarity and take action! Register here: https://ow.ly/NeVm50VaqZn #FoodWorkers #ImmigrantJustice #WorkerPower #LaborRights #FundTheMovement

Against the backdrop of Women’s History Month and with the current multifaceted attacks on both gender and migrant justice, GCIR invites you to learn how philanthropy can support the economic empowerment of immigrant women during our upcoming webinar on March 27th. Immigrant women comprise 7 percent of the total population but nearly 8 percent of the workforce, and the vast majority of them work in sectors that do not require a bachelor’s degree. Immigrant women are also disproportionately represented in service occupations and more likely to live in poverty than U.S.-born women. Bringing in leaders who work at the intersections of these identities, this webinar will provide an overview of the most pressing challenges faced by low-paid immigrant women as well as the diverse strategies groups are employing to address them. As we focus on economic empowerment, we will ideate on the ways philanthropy can support the immediate needs of these communities while building long-term worker power that transcends migrant status and gender identity. We invite funders to come ready to contribute your ideas on this important and timely topic. Register below ?? https://lnkd.in/df-YixRf #WomensHistoryMonth #Webinar

GCIR’s funder delegation had another fruitful year at Foundations on the Hill in Washington, D.C.! Our contingent of three GCIR staff and a dozen funders and partners showed up energized to advocate for our immigrant communities and our multiracial democracy. This was our largest FOTH contingent yet! We are deeply grateful to the FOTH organizers and everyone who joined us to participate in this opportunity to help advance immigrant justice and belonging at this critical moment. #FOTH2025 #WashingtonDC United Philanthropy Forum Latino Community Foundation of Colorado (LCFC) Disability & Philanthropy Forum The Chicago Community Trust Grantmakers In Health Funders for LGBTQ Issues Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation Forefront (Illinois) World Education Services Surdna Foundation The New York Women's Foundation Philanthropy Northwest Seeding Justice BIPOC ED Coalition

As the Trump administration escalates attacks on immigrant communities and weaponizes immigration enforcement at workplaces, frontline food system workers across the country face increasing threats to their safety, livelihoods, and labor rights. A?new report?from?Food Chain Workers Alliance?(FCWA) further underscores the necessity of building worker power across the food chain and demanding justice for the nearly 28 million food workers who are exploited by the current system. ?? Join us Wednesday, March 12 from 11-12:30 PM PT for a discussion with FCWA to hear frontline perspectives on responding to mass deportation threats while sustaining long-term organizing for justice and labor protections. FCWA members will discuss their rapid response work – from know-your-rights trainings to mutual aid – alongside long-term and successful campaigns for systemic change. Organizations Represented include: Alianza Agrícola, Migrant Justice, Community to Community Development, and Street Vendor Project. This webinar is co-sponsored by?Funders for Regenerative Agriculture,?Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, and?Health and Environmental Funders Network (HEFN). This is a funder-only call. Learn more and register below ?? https://lnkd.in/dTutijQ7

On March 6th, join our partners at the Washington State Immigrant & Refugee Funders Collaborative for their funders' briefing: "Building Solidarity: Local & State Responses to Immigrant & Refugee Protection." In the?wake of the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans, communities across?Washington?State?are mobilizing to protect immigrants and refugees facing heightened immigration enforcement. This event will highlight the critical responses and strategies already underway, bringing together insights from nonprofit leaders, community organizers, and local and?state?government officials. What You'll Learn: - Community and?statewide deportation defense efforts - Current local and?state?policies protecting immigrants and refugees - How nonprofits and communities are responding to heightened enforcement and systemic challenges This briefing is designed for funders and philanthropic leaders eager to learn and support efforts addressing these urgent issues. Learn how your support can amplify impactful initiatives, ensure safety for vulnerable populations, and build collective action toward justice and equity. Register below: https://lnkd.in/gzvtCyNP

On March 4th, join a funders' briefing held by a coalition of partners including Community Sponsorship Hub, Task Force Argo, #AfghanEvac, and Welcoming Initiative for Newcomers. You will hear from speakers across the refugee resettlement ecosystem on the emergency response work being done to support our Afghan allies since the abrupt and sweeping freeze of funding for U.S. foreign assistance and the stop work order impacting resettlement programs. This funders' briefing is co-hosted by The Shapiro Foundation and the Five Together Foundation. Register here:?https://lnkd.in/gkbZ4FWn