The Illinois Immigration Funders Collaborative (IFC)

The Illinois Immigration Funders Collaborative (IFC) is a collaborative fund that provides grant dollars to organizations serving immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. IFC focuses its funding on three areas: urgent immediate needs, legal assistance for individuals, and advocacy and organizing to advance immigrant rights and justice.   

History 

The Illinois Immigration Funders Collaborative launched in 2012 in response to the creation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Over the years, IFC has evolved its funding to meet the needs and interests of immigrant and refugee communities by giving grant dollars to the nonprofit organizations that serve them throughout the Chicago region and the state. Beginning in 2020, IFC raised $4.5 million dollars in response to urgent needs coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of October 2022, IFC’s partners have raised $15 million and granted $14.2 million to immigrant and refugee-led, -serving, and rights’ organizations. 

Current Needs 

With the end of the war in Afghanistan, ongoing war in Ukraine, and economic and political instability in Central and South America, Chicago is seeing an influx of immigrants and refugees. The plight of immigrants and refugees coming to the U.S. and Chicago underscores the need for services that provide safety and stability – from clothing, food, housing, counseling, and health care in the short-term, to legal assistance and navigating the immigration system in the long-term.  

Chicago is a world-class city built on the contributions of residents seeking economic opportunity. Both Chicago and Illinois have a history of welcoming immigrants and refugees, embracing their status as a sanctuary city and state. The Chicago region currently has a range of organizations with expertise and support systems in place to assist incoming refugees and immigrants with immediate and longer-term needs. While this ecosystem is robust, it still requires ongoing funding support, especially during times of crisis. 

If you are interested in getting involved as a funding partner, please contact info@cct.org.