Immigrant Rapid Response Fund
Grant Guidelines
The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund (IRRF) is a community-informed philanthropic coalition that moves resources quickly to support organizations serving immigrant and refugee communities facing immigration-related emergencies across Minnesota.
Grantmaking Priorities
IRRF makes rapid, community-guided funding decisions to organizations based on emerging needs and available resources. We prioritize 501(c)(3) organizations that are culturally responsive, linguistically accessible, and deeply rooted in the communities they serve. IRRF allocates funding on a rolling basis using a tiered approach:
- Urgent Basic Needs – food, housing, transportation, health care, and other essential supports
- Urgent Legal Services – legal defense, due process support, and rights protection
- Mobilizing & Organizing – know-your-rights education, community safety planning, advocacy, and coalition-building
Eligibility
Initial rounds of funding are by invitation only. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, including those who act as a fiscal sponsor for another organization/coalition. IRRF seeks geographic balance between the Twin Cities metro area and Greater Minnesota and funds organizations statewide, including border communities.
Grant Details
- Grants are made on a weekly basis beginning January 23, 2026
- Initial grants were $15,000. Future grant rounds will be between $25,000 to $500,000.
- Grants are unrestricted whenever possible
- There are no reporting requirements
Required Information for Every Organization
This due diligence process will be initiated once the grantmaking committee approves the recommended organization for grantmaking.
- Organization or Individual Name
- Primary Contact
- Name
- Title
- Phone Number
- Contact Address (for this grant)
For applicants using a fiscal sponsor:
- Fiscal sponsor name
- Fiscal sponsor contact (name, title, email, phone)
- Fiscal sponsor address
- Letter from fiscal sponsor (on letterhead, dated within the last 6 months) confirming the fiscal relationship
For all applicants:
- Annual organization budget (if fiscally sponsored, provide the applicant’s budget—not the sponsor’s)
- W-9 (fiscal sponsor’s W-9 if applicable)
- IRS Letter of Determination (fiscal sponsor’s if applicable)
- Most recent audited financials or Form 990 (fiscal sponsor’s if applicable)
- Brief Description (1–2 paragraphs) of how the organization is currently supporting communities impacted by immigration-related harm.
Interest Form
To be considered for funding, please submit your interest.
Inquiries will be reviewed weekly and must include.
- Name
- Organization or fiscal sponsor
- The community you serve
- Funding Supports: Applicant selects one of 3 options –
- Urgent Basic Needs
- Urgent Legal Services
- Mobilizing & Organizing
FAQ
What kinds of work does IRRF support?
IRRF supports efforts that respond to urgent needs and strengthen community resilience, including:
- Emergency basic needs such as food, housing, transportation, and health care
- Legal services that defend rights and ensure due process
- Community organizing, education, safety planning, advocacy, and coalition-building
- Funding prioritizes work that is culturally responsive, linguistically accessible, and community-led
Who is eligible for funding?
Funding is available to organizations and coalitions that:
- Have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, including those who act as a fiscal sponsor for another organization/coalition
- Are trusted partners embedded in immigrant and refugee communities
- Are responding to urgent immigration-related harm
Where does funding support work?
IRRF supports organizations across Minnesota, with an intentional balance between the Twin Cities metro area and Greater Minnesota. Funding may also support organizations serving border communities in South Dakota and North Dakota.
How much funding is available?
Initial grants are $15,000. Grant amounts may increase as additional funds are raised.
Are grants restricted?
Whenever possible, grants are unrestricted. Organizations are trusted to use funds in ways that best meet urgent community needs.
Are there reporting requirements?
No. There are no grant reporting requirements for IRRF grants.
How often are grants awarded?
Grants are reviewed and awarded on a weekly basis, allowing IRRF to respond quickly as needs emerge.
How are funding decisions made?
A subgroup of IRRF coalition members reviews recommendations weekly using a tiered, needs-based framework. Recommendations are approved by the full coalition, including the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, to ensure accountability, transparency, and shared decision-making.
What does IRRF mean by a “tiered approach”?
The tiered approach helps prioritize urgent needs, not importance. Current tiers include:
- Urgent Basic Needs
- Urgent Legal Services
- Mobilizing and Organizing
All three are essential to community safety, dignity, and long-term resilience.
Can individuals apply for funding?
Fiscal sponsors who are 501(c)(3)s may apply for funding to support an individual who is aligned with IRRF priorities. Most funding supports organizations and coalitions.
How can organizations be considered for funding?
Organizations are identified through community networks and partner recommendations. To recommend an organization for consideration, please submit an interest form.
Is this an open application process?
No. IRRF is not an open application. Funding is distributed by invitation to ensure rapid response during emergencies.
How can funders or community members support IRRF?
You can support IRRF by contributing to the fund, sharing information with trusted community partners, or helping identify organizations responding to urgent needs.
Our Commitment
This work is grounded in dignity, safety, equity, and solidarity. IRRF is designed to add resources to communities—not replace existing support—while strengthening coordination and collective response. We balance urgent needs with long-term community well-being.