A new fund aimed at providing financial support for entrepreneurial projects led by undocumented young people is kicking off the ground today.
Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) has launched FUSE, a fund for undocumented social entrepreneurs, “an initiative to foster and provide financial support for the entrepreneurial projects of undocumented young people working to create positive social change,” according to a press release from the organization.
“FUSE will provide concrete examples and offer inspiring stories of undocumented young people who are at the forefront of social change in the U.S.”
The project is in collaboration with leading national figures and entrepreneurs, including Emmy Award-winning journalist Jorge Ramos, The Grove Foundation, James Gutierrez, Jeff Hawkins, Elisha Wiesel, and Robert, Colleen, and Elise Haas.
“By identifying creative and highly motivated undocumented young people — and supporting the entrepreneurial projects they design and lead — we will affirm the case that all of us benefit from welcoming and fully integrating undocumented young people into the fabric of American life,” said E4FC Executive Director Katharine Gin.
“In this political climate nothing is more important than telling the truth about the enormous contributions of undocumented immigrants to our country. FUSE will serve as a tool for them to show their creativity and their commitment to this nation. I’m sure we will be pleasantly surprised with their projects for social change,” said Ramos.
“The FUSE initiative began as a conversation between Gin and journalist/author Jorge Ramos,” according to the release. “As a longtime supporter of E4FC’s New American Scholars Program (which provides financial awards to low-income undocumented college and graduate students) Ramos wanted to deepen his commitment to E4FC and its mission. Gin proposed FUSE as a way to expand financial support and foster meaningful opportunities for undocumented young people nationwide, particularly those who are inhibited from pursuing their chosen careers because of their immigration status.”
In particular, the project is looking for applicants from the African and Asian diasporas, as well as leaders who identify as members of the LGBTQ community. The project is open to all regardless of immigration status.
Applications are being accepted through August 5, 2016. For more information about FUSE, please visit fuse.e4fc.org.
