New York is celebrated for its history as a beacon for immigrants, and for the incredible contributions of its immigrant communities. It’s only fitting that The Trust has supported these New Yorkers throughout our own history. In fact, some of our earliest grants went to programs providing immigrants with health care, child care, community centers, and more.
A century later, we remain a steadfast champion of immigrant communities across the region. Our grantmaking today helps immigrant-serving nonprofits provide legal services, job training, education, case management, and more. We’re committed to continuing to support the local nonprofits that help the newest New Yorkers thrive.
1924: The Jacob Schiff Memorial Fund
In 1924, a New Yorker named Frieda Schiff Warburg established one of The Trust’s first funds, in memory of her father, Jacob Schiff. Frieda dedicated the fund to supporting “the relief of individuals in distress,” including through nursing services at the Henry Street Settlement. In the decades since, her fund has helped fuel our grantmaking to provide legal support, health care, financial literacy classes, and older adult services to immigrant communities throughout the region.
1987: The Fund for New Citizens
When President Reagan signed the Immigration Control and Reform Act into law in 1986, more than 100,000 New Yorkers became eligible for lawful permanent residence. To help them navigate the new law, The Trust gathered foundation partners to form a funder collaborative called the Fund for New Citizens.
During its 37 years, the Fund made $27 million in grants to strengthen immigrant-led organizations, challenge punitive immigration laws, promote pro-immigrant policies, and support legal services. One of the Fund’s proudest legacies was helping to create the New York Immigration Coalition to unite smaller immigrant-serving nonprofits across the region. The Fund closed after awarding its final grants in November 2024.
2024: The Funds for the Newest New Yorkers
In response to the arrival of more than 200,000 migrants and asylum seekers in New York City since the spring of 2022, The Trust partnered with the Robin Hood Foundation to establish The Funds for the Newest New Yorkers. The two allied funds brought together individuals, corporations, and other philanthropic partners to make more than $5.6 million in grants in December 2024.
These grants supported 22 frontline nonprofits promoting stability and long-term integration for new arrivals, including expanding access to case management, legal services, education, job training, health care, and other supports.
