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IMMIGRATION GRANT

From the approved motion:

  • The Presbytery of San Francisco will make $250,000 available to help address the needs of those in our Presbytery community who are impacted by the ongoing crackdown on immigrants in the United States. This fund can be used to help support the financial needs of those families of those who have been detained or deported by the United States or for legal costs.

  • The presbytery also will partner with organizations within our four counties and with congregations that may be able to provide legal, financial, or material support to those affected by the enforcement of the United States’ immigration policies.

  • If you or your congregation would like to donate additional support, please do so using our online giving platform. 

The application process for immigration support is live. This process is being facilitated by the Partnership Working Group, which meets once a month to review applications. They may be reached at partnership@sfpby.org . 

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE APPLYING:

  • In the spirit of our mandate as a working group encouraging ministry partnerships, this process assumes that churches or NWCs are in relationships with folks being negatively affected by the current immigration crisis, or organizations working with those being affected.

  • We need the information of a contact person who is prepared to speak to the situation of the individual or family without using any identifying information, or prepared to speak to how an organization would specifically use these funds.

    • After an application has been received, we will call this contact person to ask any questions we have about the application.

  • Churches should feel confident that the distributed funds will be used in the way that families, individuals, or organizations request.

  • Churches must be willing to disburse funds in a way that would best serve the individual or family, including cash.

  • Funds can be used for a variety of things, including:

    • Rent, food and other basic needs especially when employment has been negatively impacted by the detention or removal of a family member or by immigration status

    • Relocation assistance

    • Legal fees

    • Other immigration-related needs based upon the circumstances of the family or organization

  • Families and organizations are eligible to receive one disbursement to the sponsoring church or NWC (new worshiping community) of up to $5,000.

  • Churches and NWCs may apply for multiple families or organizations

STEP 1: Church/New Worshiping Community Applies

Applications should come from the session or a relevant committee of a church or the leadership team of a NWC, applying on behalf of a person or family or organization.

Applications should include the following:

  • FOR INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY: A summary of the individual or family’s situation, including any ways in which their situation is urgent (1 paragraph).

    • Note: applications MUST NOT include any personal info about the person or family in need.

  • FOR ORGANIZATIONS: A summary of the organization’s work that aligns with the priorities of the grant (1 paragraph).

  • How much money is being requested (up to $5,000) and how the money will be spent (1 paragraph).

  • A description of how the church/NWC or its members know the person/family or organization, and how the church/NWC or its members plan to follow up with the individual/family or organization (1 paragraph).

  • Name, email and phone number for a contact person that is on session or a relevant committee or leadership team

STEP 2: PWG receives and reads application

Applications are sent to PWG for review and approval.

  • Contact people are contacted to answer any questions about the application.

  • In order to standardize applications, an identification number will be assigned to each application.

As PWG reads the applications, we are looking for:

  • How the funds will immediately help the individual/family or org

  • How the church or NWC will support the individual/family or org

STEP 3: Release of Funds

Once an application is approved by PWG:

  • PWG notifies the session or leadership team of approval

  • PWG notifies the PSF financial services agency of the approved application with an email and the copy of the minutes from the meeting where approval was given

  • PWG connects the church or NWC with the PSF financial services agency to finalize how funds will get from PSF to church or NWC

STEP 4: Applicant passes along funds

Church or NWC gives the funds to the individual or family or organization in the application, and does the follow-up detailed in the application.

STEP 5: PWG Follow-up

PWG will follow up in 3-6 months to collect stories about the efficacy of the funds and the quality of the process.