Grants

Pro Bono Net, Inc.

Project Title

For support of a project to enhance and expand an online citizenship application platform

Date

Mar. 10, 2022

Duration

24 months

Description

Despite the clear benefits of citizenship—including expanded employment opportunities, protection from deportation, and the right to vote—less than 10 percent of the nearly 9 million eligible legal permanent residents choose to naturalize each year. Low rates of naturalization are attributable to a range of factors, including an arcane and complex process, high fees for private legal assistance, and limited availability of nonprofit providers. Created by the Immigration Advocates Network (housed at Pro Bono Net), Citizenshipworks is a technological platform designed to make the naturalization process more accessible to immigrants. Citizenshipworks enables anyone with internet access to screen for eligibility, complete their forms, and connect to virtual or in-person legal assistance.With Corporation support, the Immigration Advocates Network will continue to reduce barriers to naturalization, improve user accessibility, and ensure the platform’s sustainability.

Project Title

For support of a project to enhance and expand an online citizenship application platform

Date

Mar. 04, 2021

Duration

12 months

Description

Despite the clear benefits of citizenship—including expanded employment opportunities, protection from deportation, and the right to vote—less than 10 percent of the nearly 9 million eligible legal permanent residents choose to naturalize each year. Low rates of naturalization have been attributed to a number of reasons, including lack of familiarity with the complex process, high fees for private legal assistance, and limited access to nonprofit providers. Created by the Immigration Advocates Network (housed at Pro Bono Net), Citizenshipworks is a technological platform designed to make the naturalization process more accessible to immigrants. Citizenshipworks makes it easy for anyone with internet access to screen for eligibility, complete their forms, and connect to virtual or in-person legal assistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to virtual tools like Citizenshipworks has been especially important. With Corporation support, the Immigration Advocates Network will continue to reduce barriers to naturalization and improve user accessibility.

Project Title

For support of a project to enhance and expand an online citizenship application platform

Date

Mar. 05, 2020

Duration

12 months

Description

Naturalization offers immigrants and refugees an opportunity to more fully integrate and contribute to the communities where they already live, work, and raise their families. Yet, only 10 percent of nearly 9 million eligible legal permanent residents in the United States pursue citizenship every year. Barriers to naturalization include high legal fees for private attorneys, limited capacities of nonprofit providers, language, location (e.g. living in rural and other hard-to-reach communities), and more. Created by the Immigration Advocates Network based at Pro Bono Net, Citizenshipworks is a technological platform that aims to make the naturalization process more accessible to eligible legal permanent residents. Citizenshipworks makes it easy for anyone to go online, screen for eligibility, complete their forms, and connect to virtual or in-person legal assistance. With Corporation support, the Immigration Advocates Network will continue to reduce barriers to citizenship for immigrants and improve user accessibility for immigrants living in hard to reach areas.

Project Title

For support of a project to enhance the digital experience of an online citizenship application platform and expand its audience reach

Date

Dec. 06, 2018

Duration

15 months

Description

Despite the overwhelming benefits of citizenship, only about 10 percent of the 9 million eligible legal permanent residents in the United States acquire citizenship each year. Barriers to naturalization include lack of familiarity with the process, expensive fees charged by private attorneys, lack of service capacity of nonprofit providers, and other factors. With mistrust of the federal government growing in the immigrant community, safe and independent resources for naturalization assistance and support are critical. Created by the Immigration Advocates Network based at Pro Bono Net, Citizenshipworks is a technological platform that enables eligible immigrants to file their own naturalization applications and connects them to the appropriate legal support for their needs. With Corporation support, Immigration Advocates Network will improve user accessibility on Citizenshipworks, enhance the platform’s digital and offline outreach, and expand its network of partners and resources.

Project Title

For the implementation and expansion of a mobile citizenship application platform

Date

Sep. 08, 2016

Duration

24 months

Description

Created by the Immigration Advocates Network based at Pro Bono Net, Citizenshipworks is a naturalization platform that connects immigrants to the right type of legal assistance: whether it is through an interactive interview, virtual legal services, or connection to the nearest in-person legal provider. It is a new type of legal service that brings together innovative technology with a network of nonprofit organizations to reduce gaps in access to justice and make the complex process of naturalization accessible and safe for everyone. With Corporation support, Pro Bono Net, a member of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s New Americans Campaign (NAC), will roll out Citizenshipworks 2.0, providing assistance to other NAC members as well as organizations outside of the campaign using the software.

Project Title

Toward a web-based information and networking portal on immigrant legal issues

Date

Jun. 11, 2009

Duration

24 months

Project Title

Toward a web-based information and networking portal on immigrant legal issues

Date

Jun. 14, 2007

Duration

24 months

Project Title

Toward the pilot phase of a web-based information and networking portal on immigrant legal issues

Date

Jun. 08, 2006

Duration

6 months

Project Title

Toward planning a web-based information portal on immigrant legal issues

Date

Mar. 03, 2005

Duration

6 months