What is the Immigrant Family Emergency Response (IFER) Fund?
The Immigrant Family Emergency Response (IFER) Fund, a pooled fund created collaboratively by local foundations and nonprofit organizations, was opened in 2020 to address the financial repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of funding available for immigrant families in the St. Louis region.
The Fund has since evolved to address the financial impact of increased immigration enforcement on families living in our community. The IFER Fund helps families meet basic needs during a time of fear and uncertainty.
Who is managing this fund?
A committee of ISPN and community volunteers in partnership with local funders. The lead partner organization is Ashrei Foundation. YouthBridge Foundation serves as the fund manager.
Why was this fund created?
In March 2020, the ISPN surveyed immigrant service providers and found that the biggest concern among clients was a lack of household income and inability to access financial resources. The ISPN found that no current regional structure exists to facilitate direct, unconditional financial support to immigrant families that are excluded from other relief, and no single organization can meet the expansive need alone.
Who can submit an application for funds?
The IFER Fund will accept ONE application per family. To apply, you must meet all criteria below:
Are an immigrant, asylee, refugee, or foreign-born individual
Have lost work hours, wages, or other income due to increased immigration enforcement.
Live in the Greater St. Louis Region:
IN ILLINOIS: • Calhoun • Clinton • Greene • Jersey • Macoupin • Madison • Monroe • Randolph • St. Clair
IN MISSOURI: • Franklin • Jefferson • Lincoln • St. Charles • St. Louis City • St. Louis • Warren •
Do I have to be a current client of an ISPN agency to apply?
No, you do not have to be affiliated with an ISPN agency to qualify for this program. The application is open to all applicants who meet the three criteria.
Preference will NOT be given to any applicants with an affiliation or relationship with ISPN or Ashrei Foundation, nor will preference be given to ISPN agencies or their referrals.
How do I apply?
The IFER Fund application opens on March 10th and closes on March 24th. You can find the online application at this link.
You can also find printable applications in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Russian at this link.
When will I hear back about my application?
All applicants will be notified about their application status via text or email within two weeks of submission. Please do not call to check on the status of your application.
We anticipate a high volume of applications and will continue to review applications as long as there are available fund.
Your application is valid through July 1. After that, depending on if funds are available, you will be invited to apply again if you have not already received a cash distribution.
How will my information be used?
All information will be kept confidential at all times and will not be shared with anyone outside of the application committee.
Your information will only be used for evaluation purposes and reporting to our funders.
Your information will NOT be shared with any government agency, including but not limited to local, state, or federal agencies/departments.
Will receiving these funds affect my chances of adjusting my immigration status in the future?
No, under current law, receiving funds will NOT affect your chances of adjusting your immigration status in the future.
I received a text saying my application was approved. When will I finally receive the funds?
Our very small team of volunteers is working on calling all funded applicants in a timely manner, so we appreciate your patience during this time.
Volunteers will contact approved applicants to discuss when and how to receive their funds. Applicants will be required to sign a receipt once they have received funds.
I received a voice message from a blocked number from a IFER Fund volunteer, but I was not able to answer the phone. How can I reach you?
Our volunteers may call you using a blocked number *67 if they are using their personal cell phones. Please make sure your cell phone is set up to accept voicemail or calls from blocked numbers.
Our volunteers will try to reach you by phone and text for one week. After that time, if we are unable to contact you, funds will no longer be available to you during this cycle.
I need additional resources. What other services do you provide?
The ISPN is not a direct service organization and we do not offer services. Please visit our Resource Directory for a list of service providers in the St. Louis area.