The Newcomers Fund is a partnership between the city of Denver, the state of Colorado and local foundations to mobilize philanthropic support for the nonprofits that are serving incoming migrants in our community. Over 30,000 people have arrived in Denver after traveling from South and Central America, and for those individuals and families who intend to make their home here in Colorado, there are continued needs that our community can rally together to help address.

HOW TO GIVE

FINANCIAL DONATIONS

Thank you to the generous individuals, organizations and foundations that have contributed the Newcomers Fund. There is still a tremendous need to support the nonprofits that are providing one-to-one, direct support for new arrivals by offering food and shelter and connecting people with legal and housing support. Give here.

VOLUNTEERING

You can find a list of volunteer opportunities organized by the City and County of Denver.

ITEM DONATIONS

A list of needed items is available on the City and County of Denver Migrant Support page. There is currently a high need for:

• Winter hats, gloves and scarves (men, women and children)
• Hoodies, thermals and long sleeve shirts (men, women and children)
• Closed toed or winter shoes (children’s)
• Closed toed or winter shoes (women’s, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7)

LEGAL CLINICS

The federal government recently offered Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and work authorization (EAD) to many arriving populations, which will enable those who are eligible to find employment and begin building their lives. There are an estimated 5,500 people in Colorado who could apply for TPS and work permits (those who arrived before July 31, 2023, and who have not since moved on to other cities).

To ensure that all the prep work is done and to maximize attorney hours, the Office of New Americans is working with select nonprofits who have relationships with new arrivals to prescreen individuals and identify those most in need of this assistance. The pre-screening will involve confirming that people have all the requisite paperwork in order to sign up for an appointment.

Work authorization information, City of Denver (English)

Temporary Protected Status information, City of Denver (English)

Citizenship/Immigration Info-Working in the United States

Newcomers Fund dollars are supporting the nonprofits doing the prescreening work and the legal clinics themselves. If you want your donation to specifically support the legal clinics, you can earmark your contribution to the Newcomers Workforce Fund.

HOW TO RECEIVE HELP

To speak to someone who can direct you to legal, housing, food or employment support, please call Mile High United way by dialing 2-1-1 or the city of Denver 3-1-1 or 720-913-1311 from any landline or mobile device.

FOR NONPROFITS SEEKING SUPPORT

At this time, the Newcomers Fund steering committee is prioritizing grants to organizations that are helping migrants find temporary shelter and permanent housing or addressing other basic needs like food and health/mental health care, as well as those assisting with applications for temporary protected status and work permits. Interested nonprofits, please login or create an account to access the brief eligibility quiz.

If you are a nonprofit with immigration attorneys or are providing housing for migrants, please contact Maria Torres.

MEDIA INQUIRIES AND QUESTIONS

For members of the media, please contact Katie Peshek, director of communications and outreach or Sarah Kurz, chief impact officer.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the impact of your gift, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.