Ways to Support Communities in Minnesota and Vermont

Philanthropy offers a meaningful way to turn care into tangible support for families and communities in Minnesota and Vermont affected by increased ICE and DHS enforcement actions. The organizations listed below are providing direct assistance, strengthening local response efforts, and working to uphold dignity, safety, and belonging.

For VCF fundholders, as always, please reach out to your Philanthropic Advisor for personalized recommendations.   

How to Support Communities in Minnesota

The following organizations are working in Minnesota communities to protect rights, meet urgent needs, and support long-term stability for immigrant and refugee communities in Minnesota. Each is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and eligible to receive gifts from donor advised funds at the Vermont Community Foundation: 

• Local Community Foundations 
  • The Minneapolis Foundation 
  • Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation 
  • Central Minnesota Community Foundation 
• ACLU of Minnesota Foundation works to promote, protect, and extend the civil liberties and civil rights of people in Minnesota through litigation, lobbying, and community engagement.  
• Acola serves immigrants and refugees in the Twin Cities through English classes, citizenship support, digital literacy, safe housing, and legal services, and offers emergency financial assistance for food, rent, utilities, and more. 
• Alight delivers groceries and medications, provides transportation, shares critical safety information, supports essential paperwork, and trains volunteers to assist families in crisis. 
• Communities Advancing Prosperity for Immigrants (CAPI) supports refugee families with food access, housing, and community-based services. 
• Communidades Latinas Unidas En Servico (CLUES) supports Latino communities with culturally grounded, dignity-centered services for immigrants and refugees. 
• Groundwork Legal a public interest law firm fiscally sponsored by the Urban Justice Center, works to ensure every person can live free from discrimination. 
• Headwaters Foundation provides rapid funding to organizations responding on the ground. 
• Hired raises funds to support individuals financially impacted by ICE through grants to the Abundance Fund. 
• Immigrant Rapid Response Fund of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota provides fast, community-informed funding to frontline organizations. 
• Immigrant Law Center of MN offers free legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees, including families affected by detention. 
• International Institute of Minnesota is expanding legal services and helping with groceries, rent, medical bills, and other basic needs. 
• Safe Haven offers immediate support, transportation, warmth, and connection to resources for individuals released from detention. 
• The Advocates for Human Rights focuses on both direct services and long-term systemic change. 

How to Support Immigrant Communities Here in Vermont

We also recognize that immigrant and refugee communities here in Vermont are facing similar challenges. Across the state, trusted organizations are providing direct support, building local response networks, and advocating for dignity, safety, and belonging. 

The following Vermont-based organizations are helping communities navigate this moment and strengthen long-term systems of care and protection: 

• Association of Africans Living in Vermont supports African immigrants and refugees through advocacy, education, and community building. 
• Bridges to Health offers culturally responsive health and social services for immigrant and refugee communities. 
• Central Vermont Refugee Action Network supports refugees and asylum seekers with resettlement and integration services. 
• Chittenden Asylum Seekers Assistance Network provides housing support, community connections, and practical assistance to asylum seekers in Chittenden County. 
• Community Asylum Seekers Project offers housing, accompaniment, and community support to asylum seekers. 
• Migrant Justice organizes with and for farmworkers to advance human rights and social justice. 
• Northeast Kingdom Asylum Seekers’ Assistance Network works in the Northeast Kingdom to support asylum seekers through housing, advocacy, and community connections. 
• United Immigrant and Refugee Communities of Vermont strengthens immigrant and refugee leadership and advocates for policies that promote equity, safety, and opportunity. 
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants USCRI Vermont provides resettlement, legal services, and integration support. 
• Vermont Afghan Alliance provides support and resources for Afghan families resettling in Vermont. 
• Vermont Asylum Assistance Project provides legal and case management support for asylum seekers. 
• Vermont Language Justice Project works to expand access to interpretation and translation services, ensuring language is not a barrier to essential services and civic participation. 
• Vermont Legal Aid Immigration Community Lawyering Initiative provides free, community-based legal support, education, and advocacy to help immigrants understand their rights and navigate the immigration system.