The Gateway Fund: Request for Funds

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mBOLDen Change has launched The Gateway Fund to provide funding to cover the required $250 USCIS filing fee for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) petitions (Form I-360). Nonprofit legal service providers, legal services networks, and law firms handling SIJS cases may request upfront block funds to maintain a dedicated reserve for SIJS filing fees.

PRIVACY NOTICE: mBOLDen Change does not collect or request client names, case details, income verification, or confidential legal documents. 

FUNDING NOTICE: Submitting a request does not guarantee funding. mBOLDen Change reviews each request individually and retains full discretion regarding approval and funding amounts.

TERMS & AGREEMENT

The requesting organization or firm ("Partner") agrees to the following terms:

1. Restricted Purpose: Block funds shall be used exclusively to pay non-waivable USCIS filing fees for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions (Form I-360) on behalf of clients of Partner or, for legal services networks, clients of its member organizations. Funds may not be applied to any other form, fee, or client matter.

2. Accounting & Trust Accounts: Funds shall not be used for administrative overhead, attorney’s fees, staff time, or operational expenses. No fiscal sponsorship or administrative fee may be deducted. Funds are disbursed only to an organization or law practice, not to individual attorneys. Private law firms receiving upfront funds must hold them in a Client Trust Account (IOLTA/TA trust) as third-party client fee advances, disbursed solely to pay USCIS filing fees as cases are filed. Funds must not be booked as firm income.

3. Legal Services Networks: A network or collaborative may distribute funds to its member organizations either as block funds or per petition. Member organizations receiving funds are bound by these Terms. Funds may not be transferred to individual attorneys.

4. Partner Attestation: Partner attests that funds will be applied directly to eligible SIJS filers facing the non-waivable fee. mBOLDen Change requires no client PII, income documentation, or case filings.

5. Client Discretion: Partner (and, for legal services networks, its member organizations) retains sole discretion over client selection, case prioritization, and representation decisions. mBOLDen Change assumes no legal representation role, supervisory capacity, or liability over client matters.

6. Replenishment: Partner may submit a replenishment request once initial upfront funds are largely deployed. Each request is evaluated independently, subject to fund availability and mBOLDen Change approval.

7. Reporting: Within 60 days of expending the funds, Partner will provide written organizational feedback confirming: (a) number of petitions paid, (b) whether funds arrived in time to meet filing deadlines, and (c) process feedback. No client-identifying data will be requested or accepted.

8. Unused Funds: Any funds remaining unexpended 12 months after receipt must be returned to mBOLDen Change unless a written extension is granted.

9. Non-Binding Status: Request submission and approval create no ongoing obligation or commitment for future funding by mBOLDen Change.

AUTHORITY & SIGNATURE

By signing below, I certify that I am authorized to submit this request on behalf of the entity named above, that the information provided is accurate, and that the entity agrees to the Terms if funded.