Latino Philanthropy

The Arizona Undocumented Workers Relief Fund was established at ACF in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic to support undocumented working individuals and families living in mixed-status households. The fund provided relief to people who were ineligible for pandemic era stimulus checks and unemployment benefits, despite their contributions to Arizona’s economy.

Since its inception in 2020, the Arizona Undocumented Relief Fund raised over $2.1 million from the fund’s collaborative partners and individual donors. Through the power of collaboration in both fundraising and grantmaking, an average of $500 was distributed to 3,716 households, helping them pay their rent, feed their children, and pay their bills.

Guillermina from Tempe shared that her husband had died four months earlier and had previously paid all of the bills. She had been unable to pay the rent and was overwhelmed with stress and concern for her two children. The support from the Arizona Undocumented Workers Relief Fund came at the right time.

Armando from Phoenix was laid off because of the pandemic. He could not find work and was filled with anxiety and stress thinking about caring for his two boys. “The grant is a blessing that has saved my family,” said Armando. It provided relief and restored his dignity.