Fund Purpose

The Maine Solidarity Fund (MSF) is an initiative of the People’s Coalition for Safety & Justice (PCSJ), a collective of frontline organizations, cultural anchors, and direct service providers with deep ties to Maine’s Black and Brown immigrant, and Trans communities. This statewide fund is one arm of the coalition’s broader community defense strategy, designed to provide rapid, direct, and equitable support to community members facing increased detention, targeted harassment, policy rollbacks, and systemic discrimination under the current Trump administration. Rather than scrambling to crowdfund every time a neighbor is detained or faces a medical emergency, our fund pools resources from across communities into a shared fund we can draw from immediately when urgent needs arise.

What MSF Can Fund

MSF provides one-time, emergency financial support for community members who have been detained by ICE in the form of bond payment assistance. Additionally, MSF provides one-time financial support to individuals seeking gender-affirming care when insurance or federal policies deny access outright.

Specifically, MSF offers payments for:

  • Immigration Bonds (Please note that MSF must pay bonds directly; we cannot reimburse bond payments)

    • Please note that MSF cannot pay for any other legal services, including legal fees related to immigration cases, bond petitions, or habeas petitions

    • MSF is unable to offer rent support or other emergency financial assistance

  • Lifesaving access to gender-affirming care: Funding travel and payment for gender-affirming medical care — such as access to HRT or surgical procedures — for Trans Mainers when insurance or federal policies restrict access.

The only service MSF provides is payment. Please see the “How to Request Support” section below to seek other forms of support from our network or partners.

Who Can Apply

  • The impacted party must live and/or work in Maine. 

  • If seeking gender-affirming medical care, the impacted party must be 16 years of age or older. For impacted parties under 16 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must apply on their behalf.

How to Request Funds

Click the “Request Funds ” button below and follow the instructions to fill out our short application form. We will call the phone number you provide through WhatsApp or phone within one to two business days, and we will follow up by email to request needed documentation.

Request Funds

How to Request Support

If you require support beyond payment:

  • Call the Maine Immigrant Defense Hotline at (207) 544 - 9989 if you are seeking support for yourself or an immigrant community member. They will refer you to organizations that can help:

    • Locate a loved one who has been detained

    • Hire an attorney

    • Schedule food delivery

    • Apply for rent or utility assistance

    • And more

    Once you are referred, please communicate directly with your supporting organization. The Hotline cannot provide ongoing one-on-one support.

  • If you are a Trans community member or are supporting someone seeking one of the supports below, please email msf@presentemaine.org and we will connect you with a partner who can provide support including:

    • Assistance negotiating with health insurance companies or healthcare providers

    • Help signing up for prescription assistance to reduce cost burden

    • Connection to legal professionals

    • Information on community-based peer support including groups, events, and assistance with vital document updates including referrals for more complex cases