How the Fund Works
Fund Eligibility: The Fund is currently prioritizing East Boston residents and dependents who have lost income due to detainment or other immigration enforcement actions and who are locked out of other resources. If funding allows, we will revisit these eligibility criteria.
Application Process - There will be two primary pathways for referrals to the Fund.
Partner referrals - These are applications coming in from specific, named partner organizations that have been previously approved by the Fund board.
The fund will prioritize aid to directly affected individuals who are referred by partnering community-based organizations already working with people directly affected by detainment or deportation.
If you are a representative of a community-based or faith-based organization serving East Boston affected residents and want to partner with the fund, please submit a contact form. Approved partnering organizations are working directly with people who have lost wages due to detainment or deportation.
Contact: Eastbostoncrisisresponsefund@gmail
General referrals - The second pathway for referrals to the fund are through the general public. These are applications coming from clergy, the public, other community organizations, elected officials or directly from individuals through the website.
All requests are evaluated by a Community Advisory Group (CAG) of volunteers with connections to various key constituencies in East Boston, including faith communities, businesses, immigrant communities, and others. The CAG reviews and evaluates eligibility, verification, and distribution systems.
Verification: We will use a trust-based system that prioritizes relationships where possible, with review and recommendations from the CAG.
Funding amounts will be $250-$500 one-time awards for immediate needs. Distributions will be made monthly with the first round planned for February 2026.
If you are a clergy member, public official, or a representative of another community organization who wants to refer an East Boston resident who has lost wages to a family member’s detainment or deportation to the fund: