Collaborative Action for Immigrants' Unidos Fund

MISSION OF THE UNIDOS FUND: To remain true to the Promotora/Comadre model to provide nimble, fast, and need-based aid to support immigrant individuals and families so they can thrive in their community. Through financial assistance, the Fund aims to be a bridge to self-reliance and to help address SDoH needs and promote justice and true inclusion in the community. The fundamental goal of this Fund is to promote equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion for all community members.

HISTORY: Fondo Unidos was created in March of 2023 after three CAFI members were named "Volunteers of the Year" by the Telluride Foundation and awarded $2,000 each to devote to the nonprofit organization of their choice. These CAFI members recognized a gap in financial support for the immigrant community. Fondo Unidos is the first local, Latino-founded financial support fund, serving the immigrant community without the chilling effect of overly burdensome required documented proof, which is common among many emergency funds and government services/resources. In its first month of existence, CAFI granted $47,355.27 from Fondo Unidos to local individuals. There were 17 unique individuals who applied and received funds, and there were 26 children and 28 adults who benefited from these funds. Most applications requested funds to address health and medical needs - a fundamental social determinant of health. Through this financial support, individuals and families were able to obtain the medical services they needed with decreased financial stress.