In response to unprecedented threats facing immigrant communities nationwide, the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC), with local and national philanthropy, has created the Pennsylvania Fund for Immigrant Rights and Equity (PA FIRE) — a groundbreaking, statewide initiative to protect immigrant rights, expand vital services, and drive long-term systems change across the Commonwealth.
PA FIRE will serve as a powerful vehicle for impact, funding a network of immigrant-serving organizations across the state to both respond to urgent community needs and build long-term power and equity. Funding from PA FIRE will support a coordinated statewide plan to expand rapid response and vital legal services, strengthen local and statewide advocacy, and foster collaboration among member organizations, funders, and community partners.
Four Strategic Pillars for Impact
PA FIRE will fund coordinated work across four core program areas:
- Rapid Response and Service Expansion: PA FIRE invests in "Know Your Rights" workshops, community safety planning, and direct legal services through programs like the PA Immigrant Family Unity Project (PAIFUP). These efforts aim to increase community awareness of constitutional rights and expand access to critical legal representation.
- Advocacy Infrastructure and Organizing: By building the capacity of local leaders and staff through organizing training and narrative change work, PA FIRE amplifies pro-immigrant messaging and community-led campaigns that drive legislative and social change.
- Collaboration and Community Engagement: PA FIRE strengthens coalition coordination among PIC members and fosters cross-sector partnerships with organizations beyond the immigrant rights movement.
- Transformative System Change: From ending local collaborations with ICE to advancing statewide pro-immigrant legislation, PA FIRE is focused on long-term change. Efforts include advocacy for a federal pathway to citizenship and increased accountability for elected officials at all levels.