On July 29, philanthropy leaders, nonprofit advocates, and academic partners from across Pennsylvania gathered for the inaugural Philanthropic Convening on Immigrant Rights. The energy in the room was undeniable - a shared commitment to collective action and a deep belief in the power of immigrant communities to shape a stronger, more vibrant future for our state.
Throughout the day, we heard powerful stories about the positive impact immigrants have had on Pennsylvania - from strengthening small business ecosystems to enriching our cultural life. We also confronted the urgent need to welcome new neighbors and recognized that immigrant justice is a true litmus test for our democracy.
Most importantly, we listened to immigrant-serving organizations on the front lines. These organizations, working together under a coordinated statewide plan led by the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC), are:
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Providing rapid response initiatives and expanding essential services to meet urgent needs.
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Engaging in long-term advocacy and building organizational capacity.
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Driving narrative change to counter harmful misinformation and uplift immigrant voices.
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Laying the building blocks for transformative system change — even in the face of a hostile policy climate.
Their message was clear: immigrants are essential to the causes we all care about — democracy, public health, worker’s rights, education, children and families, and more.
In our philanthropy strategy session, one truth rang loud and clear: we must act with urgency, trust, and flexibility to resource PIC’s plan and ensure immigrant communities have the support they need.
Announcing the Pennsylvania Fund for Immigrant Rights and Equity (PA FIRE)
We are proud to announce the launch of PA FIRE, a pooled fund to support PIC’s coordinated statewide plan. Our goal is bold: raise $6–$12 million in the first year to meet immediate needs and invest in long-term systems change.
Next Steps: Join the Conversation
We’re keeping the momentum going. Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia will host a virtual follow-up meeting for funders on Monday, September 8, from 1:30–2:30 PM. This will be an opportunity to:
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Ask questions about PA FIRE
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Share progress on moving funds to the initiative
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Collaborate on strategies to amplify and sustain this work If you’d like to learn more about PA FIRE, please reach out to:
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Leah Reisman – lreisman@barrafoundation.org
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Farrah Parkes – fparkes@genderjusticephilly.
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Caitlin O’Brien – cobrien@
scattergoodfoundation.org
Thank You
We’re grateful to everyone who made the convening possible - and to all who continue to stand with immigrant communities in Pennsylvania. Special thanks to our host members: Four Freedoms Fund, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, Scattergood Foundation, Gender Justice Fund, and the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition.
Together, we can protect immigrant rights and strengthen democracy in Pennsylvania.
This blog was written by members of the core organizing team for the PA FIRE convening held on July 29, which includes Four Freedoms Fund, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, Scattergood Foundation, Gender Justice Fund, and the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition