Call for New Members of the 2026-2027 Board of Directors of the Midwest Immigration Bond Fund
The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund (MIBF) invites interested individuals to apply to become part of the Fund’s Board of Directors for the coming board term of July 2026 – June 2027!
About MIBF
The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund (“MIBF”) is a revolving bond fund that raises funds to pay bonds for those held in ICE detention. MIBF approaches its work from an abolitionist stance and pays bonds on a first come, first serve basis without criteria other than ties with regard to residency, detention, or destination to IL, IN, MN, WI, or KY. MIBF collaborates with bond funds around the country through the National Bail Fund Network.
About the MIBF Board of Directors
The MIBF board is a volunteer “working board” made up of between 10 and 15 members. We are recruiting up to 4 new board members to join 11 returning board members for 2026-2027. We operate on a consensus model in which all board members are encouraged to work collaboratively, participate in leading meetings, sharing input, and engaging in decision-making. We have intentionally recruited young up-and-coming activists to encourage the development of abolitionist leaders regardless of their age or professional role or title.
MIBF Board Member Responsibilities
Each board member has four central responsibilities:
Facilitate fund operations (note: MIBF does not have any paid staff);
Fundraise to ensure the revolving fund can remain open;
Execute the MIBF’s strategic plan to create a strong foundation for the future; and
Abide by MIBF’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Communication Agreement as well as Illinois Law
MIBF Board Member Requirements
Embrace MIBF’s mission and share the Board’s values of executing the mission of the fund including: abolition, consensus decision making, and creative advocacy intended to push back on the false “deserving immigrant” narrative;
Contribute 3 - 10 hours of work per week (includes 1.5 hour monthly meetings);
Commit to amplify MIBF’s social media & communications in your networks;
Commit to leading 1 fundraising project during the year or contributing substantial time to another Board Member’s fundraising effort (ranging from virtual phone bank, in-person fundraiser, or a creative project of the Board member’s choosing);
Be able to attend the mandatory MIBF Board meetings via Zoom monthly (we will be voting as a board to determine the best time of week, but should be roughly on the 3rd week of the month)
Choose one of the following open roles as your first preference. While many board members end up on more than one committee, we want to make sure that we have a diversity of interests on the board, and all our needs are taken into consideration:
Grant-Writing: Assist with 3-5 MIBF grant applications over a year [1 Open Position]
Treasury/Bookkeeping: Helps create the MIBF budget and keep MIBF in compliance. [1 Open Position]
Fundraising: Helps coordinate fundraising efforts for the bond fund, meets with potential donors, and cultivates donor relationships, helps us set up a CRM. [1 Open Position]
Communications: Promote our organization through our social media accounts. Coordinate with the rest of the board to write media posts that educate followers on themes relevant to MIBF’s mission. [1 Open Position]
Preferences for New Board Members
Based in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota or Kentucky
Lived experience of immigration detention OR work/advocacy experience with detained immigrants or other immigrant communities. As an abolitionist, anti-racist, community-centered organization, MIBF welcomes applicants from all walks of life, and encourages individuals that have been impacted by the immigration system to apply.
How to Apply
Have questions? Email them to mwbondfund@mibfc.org, and a board member will answer within 48 hours.
By Monday, June 1 at 4:00 P.M CDT, please email the following to mwbondfund@mibfc.org with the subject line: “26-27 Board Member Application FIRST NAME LAST NAME”
A cover letter describing the following:
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Why are you interested in supporting MIBF as a board member
Why are you a good fit for the Board in terms of your life/work/volunteer experiences, your values, and your goals in the next year?
Which of the open roles are you most interested in?
What skills, strengths, and/or passions will you bring to the Board and the specific role you’re interested in?
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Please state whether you can commit to attending at least one board meeting per month for 1.5 hours and contribute the additional hours on your own time for your particle role.
If you were referred by a current board member, please indicate who in your cover letter.
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A list of relevant experiences you would like to highlight for the Board (e.g. community-based work, volunteer experiences) or your resume.
Join us at a mandatory Zoom office hour on either:
June 2, 2026 from 5:30-6:30 CT
June 4, 2026 from 5:30-6:30 CT
Links and further instructions about the office hours will be emailed to you once we have received your application.
MIBF Committees
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Our communications committee is primarily responsible for MIBF’s public facing content.
Assist in managing social media, website content, newsletters, and media relations to ensure consistent branding and voice to help MIBF grow and maintain its supporter base.
Coordinate and support board members in drafting and posting social media explainers, information, and more about the immigration bond/detention system.
Weekly and monthly progress reports for supporters around the number of people released and $$$ spent on bonds.
Establish MIBF as an abolitionist expert, but approachable voice in the immigration justice space. Helping use our platform and contact with immigration carceral systems to raise concerns, flag trends, and notify the public of changes to the bond/detention system.
Communicate with the general public via email and social media.
Work closely with the fundraising team to leverage our platform for fundraising.
Take first dibs on media requests and tabling/speaking requests.
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The fundraising committee brings in the donations that keep MIBF running! We plan campaigns, support community fundraisers, keep track of donations, and make sure that donors feel appreciated and connected to the work.
Create, manage, and track fundraising campaigns that are responsive to our needs, easy to use, and aligned with MIBF’s voice
Maintain donor records and data in our CRM
Track donations across all sources and share regular updates with the board
Act as a resource for community members creating fundraisers for MIBF.
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The grants committee is responsible for any grant related work, including seeking, drafting and responding to grants.
Seek, draft and spearhead applications with different grant entities
Provide grantors with bank account information and other documents needed for grant processing
Check with exec board to ensure funds are received and follow up with grantors as needed
Upload grantor information to CRM and grant documentation as it comes in
Ensure the treasury team has all the documentation needed for bookkeeping purposes post-approval
Upload the grant approval letter to the appropriate shared drive folder
Manage grant portfolio and build ongoing relationships with grantors
Follow through on grant reporting responsibilities
Coordinate with other committees for specific campaigns — especially fundraising and communications
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The operations committee is primarily responsible for paying our bonds and any communications associated with these processes.
Maintain online application, including reviewing incoming applications and screening for eligibility
Ensure access to the PNC/Pinacle account and monitor available funds in the revolving account, coordinating with Treasury team as needed
Process applications for bond assistance
Communicate with all parties listed on the application
Submit a CeBONDS application with origination paperwork (and triage if bond is unable to be posted at all or needs in person)
Monitor pending application
Coordinate wiring money
Upload all important information in the application, including bond paperwork and follow-up ICE correspondence
Monitor existing bonds; keep track of cancelled bonds and ensure that we receive the money back
Ensure any MOUs in place are executed and honored
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The Treasury team maintains all of MIBF’s financial systems and ensures financial compliance.
Create and adjust annual budget
Work with bookkeeper to ensure all financial information is accurate
Ensure bank accounts are adequately funded in order for bonds to be paid
Work with grants and fundraising team to ensure donations and grants are accounted for and financial information is responsibly distributed.
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Our NBFN liaison maintains communication with the National Bail Fund Network
Individually sign up to the NBFN listserv
Attend as many monthly immigration NBFN meetings as possible. During these reports, report any trends from MIBF. Report back any trends back to the Board.
Monitor the listserv and inform individuals as necessary.
Starred committees are recruiting for new board members to join them!