The fund was established in 2021 by the City-County Council of Indianapolis in partnership with The Indianapolis Foundation, which administers and raises funds for the initiative. Since its launch, the fund has mobilized over $1.5 million in support of equitable, accessible legal services for immigrant neighbors in Marion County.
The fund prioritizes grants to nonprofit providers that offer both prevention and intervention immigration legal services. Prevention efforts may include DACA renewals, naturalization applications, and work authorization filings. Intervention services may involve legal defense during deportation proceedings, bond hearings, asylum claims, and more.
Partners of the fund engage with legal service providers to strengthen the city’s immigrant legal services ecosystem, identify gaps, and collaborate on long-term strategies to increase capacity and impact. This fund invites broader community participation to help create a more just and inclusive future for all.
Grantmaking
Grantmaking prioritizes organizations providing prevention and/or intervention immigration legal services.
Who Can Apply
- Registered 501(c)3 organizations.
- Organizations that have partnered with a registered not-for-profit fiscal agent
- Priority will be given to organizations that demonstrate a strong record of providing high-quality legal representation to immigrant Hoosiers.
- Organizations must have licensed attorneys on staff with immigration law experience of at least two years or more.
- Organizations must demonstrate that all professionals (attorneys, social workers, etc.) involved in providing services have the appropriate professional licenses and are in good standing professionally.
Grant Parameters: $50,000 to $100,000
Deadline to Apply for Current Round: October 16,2026 @ 4pm EST
Questions should be directed to Indianapolis Foundation Senior Community Leadership Officer for Economic Equity, Fabio Yataco.
Apply for Immigrant Legal Services Fund Grant
Applicants may submit only one proposal using the Indianapolis Foundation’s Grants Portal (powered by SmartSimple). First-time users must create a user profile for your organization in order to apply.
For guidance on setting up your account and navigating your applicant profile, please refer to Grants Portal 101 resource for guidance or reach out to GrantSupport@cicf.org.
Resources
For your convenience, the following links provide quick access to resources required for applying for Immigrant Legal Services Fund grants.