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 when:
Community members are detained
Insurance and federal policies restrict access to lifesaving, gender-affirming care
Access to vital identification documents is restricted or they are misaligned
MSF offers payments for:
Legal services
Bonds (Please note that MSF must pay bonds directly, we cannot reimburse bond payments.)
Attorney fees for:
Bond petitions/hearings
Habeas Corpus
Vital identity document issues
Please note that MSF cannot pay for any other legal services, including asylum.
Emergency support: Up to $500 that recipients can use however they most need.
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.
Please note that 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
MSF provides one-time, emergency financial support to Maine residents when they or a household member:
Are detained
Have insurance and federal policies restrict access to lifesaving, gender-affirming care
Have access to vital identification documents is restricted or they are misaligned
Further:
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.
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 1 - 3 business days, and will follow up by email to request needed documentation.
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:
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
And more