The City of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is releasing an LOI to help provide limited immigration legal services.
Rapid Response Program
Funding decisions will be announced on or before Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Applications due by March 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM (PT)
We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Seattle OIRA Rapid Response Funding for Limited Legal Services is now open for applications. The Letter of Intent (LOI) for this funding opportunity has been published, and eligible community-based organizations are invited to apply to provide critical legal services to immigrant communities in Seattle.
Below is the relevant Letter of Intent information, as well as a step-by-step explanation of our request for proposal timeline, program services sought, and additional resources for interested partners.
All of the details of the application process can be found in the documents below. For an overview, please read the following information.
To download the LOI application document, click below:
To download the LOI guidelines with additional details, click below:
Purpose and background:
After community listening sessions, this funding opportunity seeks applications from nonprofit organizations with the experience and capacity to provide immigration-related legal services. The goal is to support immigrants and refugees affected by rapidly changing federal immigration policies and help them understand their rights and obligations.
- Total funds for OIRA’s Rapid Response Program: $240,000
- Contract Period: April 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025
- Submission Deadline: 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Services sought
Immigration related legal services and community support, including but not limited to:
- Legal orientations
- Legal consultations
- Comprehensive screening for forms of relief
- Pro se application support
- Know Your Rights training
Who Should Apply?
Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)3 status, and experience providing immigration-related legal services, are eligible to apply. We encourage organizations with a strong understanding of the communities they serve and the challenges facing immigrants due to policy changes to apply.
Eligibility/target audience served:
Low-income immigrants and refugees who live, work, or go to school in Seattle with priority given to immigrant groups whose status is impacted by changes in immigration laws, policies, or practices.
How to Apply?
LOIs must be submitted by email in PDF format to OIRARFP@seattle.gov by 5:00 PM PST on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Interested organizations must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), which must include:
- Proposal cover sheet (provided in the LOI packet)
- IRS 501(c)3 status letter
- Proposal narrative (maximum 2 pages)
- Project budget (using the included template)
Important Dates:
- LOI Application Opens: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 9:00 AM PST
- Q&A Session: Monday, March 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM PST
- LOI Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, by 5:00 PM PST
- LOI Review Period: March 20–25, 2025
- Notification of Award Recipients: March 26, 2025
- Contract Period Begins: April 1, 2025
Evaluation Criteria:
OIRA will work with a Review Committee to assess applications and provide recommendations for funding. The Review Committee will use the following criteria to evaluate applications:
- Program: Overall strength and quality of proposal. Meets submission requirements. Ability to deliver proposed goals and activities.
- Immigration Related Experience and Capacity: Experience with providing immigration legal services and capacity to deliver them.
- Community Connections: Established ties to communities to be served or a clear partnership plan with stakeholders with such connections. Understands the legal, cultural, and linguistic needs of communities to be served.
- Cost of Services
Questions and additional resources:
Please review the full LOI guidelines for more details on the application process, funding criteria, and proposal requirements.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Javiera Wood at OIRARFP@seattle.gov.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to supporting Seattle’s immigrant communities. We look forward to receiving your applications and working together to ensure access to critical legal services.
