Now Accepting Applications for Our Entrepreneurship Fund Kickstarter Grants
“This grant gave me the confidence to take my business to the next level, to create a space to help others and, most importantly, to help me grow as a social entrepreneur.”— Maria Mendez, 2016 Entrepreneurship Fund Grantee
Undocumented entrepreneurs and freelancers working to create social change can apply for grants and support through Immigrants Rising’s Entrepreneurship Fund.
The Fund showcases the talents of undocumented young people and amplifies the positive impact of their work. We offer two different types of grants:
- Fellowship Grants: One-year grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000.
- Kickstarter Grants: Short-term, non-renewable grants of up to $2,000.
Grantees will be offered support and guidance from professional advisors, join a national network of undocumented freelancers and entrepreneurs, and get social media exposure for their projects.
Twelve undocumented entrepreneurs have already received grants and support from the Entrepreneurship Fund, previously called the Fund for Undocumented Social Entrepreneurs (FUSE). Read profiles of our previous Previous Entrepreneurship Fund Grantees.
We welcome proposals for entrepreneurial and freelancing projects that address a variety of needs, target diverse populations, and employ different strategies. We are open to supporting projects that serve and advocate for undocumented people as well as ones with broader potential impact. Projects can be non-profit or for-profit initiatives—or hybrid projects that include both nonprofit and for-profit components. Most importantly, projects must create positive social change and must be designed and led by undocumented young people.
Applicants must be born outside of the United States and cannot be U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR). Applicants do not need to be eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to qualify.
Applications for the Fellowship Grants are currently closed. Applications for the Kickstarter Grants will be accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed every month.
Eager to kickstart your entrepreneurial or freelance project? Apply for a Kickstarter Grant today.
