Supports New Lending Circles

We are extremely excited to announce the launching of our new program, Citizenship Tandas. In partnership with Silicon Valley Community Foundation, we are piloting this new program to help low-income immigrants save money for the high costs of filing a naturalization application. 

There are many immigrants who are eligible to apply for citizenship but don’t because the filing fee is cost prohibitive. We are working to overcome this barrier in the Bay Area by providing eligible participants with a 25% match contribution.

Citizenship Tandas builds on the cultural practices of peer lending common in many immigrant communities by helping individuals save for the naturalization application much more quickly.  "Silicon Valley Community Foundation is investing in MAF’s Citizenship Tandas because we believe that it is an investment in our democracy," says Manuel J. Santamaria of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. "The Citizenship Lending Circles will provide eligible permanent residents in our region the opportunity to cover the fees associated with their citizenship application.  Citizenship is a benefit to immigrants and the nation because it provides the basis for equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for all.”

At Mission Asset Fund, we believe that everyone has the right to take out a loan, apply for an apartment or even buy a house. By combining assets with legal citizenship, we're chipping away at the barriers immigrants face every day.

Please visit CitizenshipTandas.org and help us spread the word to your friends, family, and colleagues!