Last updated: 1/7/25

City of Belonging

The Mayors Office for Immigrant Advancement launches the City of Belonging.

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The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) proclaim that 2025 is the Year of Belonging.

With the City of Belonging campaign launch, MOIA will integrate its goals to create a more inclusive Boston while addressing pressing challenges such as public sentiment and policy shifts on immigration. The campaign will rally support for immigrant communities, empower resilience, and inspire action.

MOIA will invest over $1.5 million in community resilience, safety, and well-being through a collective grant pool to fund:

mutual aid networks and communities directly impacted by immigration policies,
organizational programming that supports immigrant communities, and
language or legal protection initiatives to advocate for better policies and address discrimination.

Local and neighborhood associations registered as nonprofits or with a fiscal sponsor can apply to one of the funding streams to make their programs, events, or mutual aid projects a reality.

What is a City of Belonging?

A City of Belonging is more than just a place. It's a community where immigrants and newcomers feel welcomed, respected, and valued, regardless of background or origin. It prioritizes diversity, equity, and social cohesion. It's a home where immigrants can thrive and fully participate in all aspects of life.

Making Boston a Home for Everyone

Collaboratively, MOIA’s funding, public engagement, research, and designation approval will establish Boston as one of the nation’s best cities for equity and inclusion in 2025 and beyond—uplifting Mayor Michelle Wu’s vision to make Boston a home for everyone.

Have questions? Contact:

Immigrant Advancement
immigrantadvancement@boston.gov
617-635-2980
1 CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 806

BOSTON, MA 02201-2030

Grant Pool Breakdown

Weaving Well-being - Funding to support immigrant community-driven wellness and mental health initiatives. Currently open, closes January 16, 2025.
Legal Access: General - Grants to expand the capacity for Boston residents to access immigration legal services via community-based nonprofits and local legal aid organizations. Opens January 13, 2025.
Legal Access: Department of Justice Recognition and Accreditation - Funding to contract a provider to build capacity to train community members to become Accredited Representatives in organizations that currently have or seek Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognition. Opens late January 2025.
Strengthening Boston’s Mutual Aid Network - Funding for grassroots organizations to support building sustainable mutual aid networks to expand the community’s capacity to respond to immediate crises and long-term systemic challenges. Opens January 13, 2025.

Promoting Access to English for Speakers of Other Languages - Grants for nonprofits working across diverse immigrant communities for innovative programming that reduces waitlists for English-language learners seeking ESOL classes. Opens January 13, 2025.
City of Belonging Festival - One-time grants for Immigrant Heritage Month events to raise awareness of existing community programs and services, elevate the contributions of immigrants to our city, foster collaboration, and promote overall social integration and cohesion. Opens February 13, 2025.
Youth Development:
- Immigrant Youth Advancement - Funding for organizations to provide leadership development and professional skills attainment for Boston’s immigrant youth ages 14 to 24 during the spring school semester. Opens mid-January 2025.
- Tuition Equity - Grants for grassroots organizations to host workshops and trainings on tuition equity and/or provide application support for immigrant youth and/or parents.

Community Insights Survey

With a community-wide needs assessment, MOIA seeks to hear directly from immigrant and refugee communities in Boston to inform its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan and shape the City’s long-term planning. The survey is open to Boston residents until February, is available in 11 languages, takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and accepts responses in paper and online formats. Community partners have been engaged to share the survey and gather responses from Boston’s diverse communities since October 2024.

Take the Survey

Belonging Ambassadors

Become aN AMBASSADOr

Belonging Ambassadors can order free first-edition City of Belonging multilingual posters to feature prominently across homes, storefronts, community spaces, restaurants, and other public areas by January 20 and through 2025. Belonging Ambassadors will also have opportunities to learn about immigrants, immigration, and the false narratives surrounding this community throughout the year.