Client Services Fund (CSF) at the Federal Defenders of New York

Our Mission

At the Federal Defenders of New York, we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate legal defense to individuals facing federal charges who cannot afford private counsel. We believe that everyone deserves a strong defense and that the criminal justice system should treat all individuals with dignity and respect. Our mission is to ensure our clients' rights are upheld while working to dismantle the systemic barriers that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

How the Client Services Fund (CSF) Supports Our Mission

While we receive block grant federal funding to provide legal representation, this funding does not cover the comprehensive, client-centered services that our clients need to succeed. The CSF was created to fill this gap, providing financial support and supplemental services that go beyond traditional legal defense. By addressing clients' immediate needs — from transportation and food to vocational support — the CSF ensures that we can meet clients where they are, empowering them to stay engaged in their cases, comply with legal requirements, and build a path toward a better future.

What Does the CSF Support?

The CSF helps meet a variety of immediate needs for our clients, including:

Immediate Needs (Onsite Support)

  • Transportation: MetroCards for appointments related to wellbeing, employment, treatment, and pretrial/probation requirements.

  • Food: Food cards, onsite snacks, and small meals.

  • Hygiene Products: toiletry kits, feminine hygiene products, and more.

  • Clothing: Basic clothing for clients recently released from custody (e.g., undergarments, socks, sneakers, coats in winter).

Incarcerated Clients

  • Commissary: One-time $40 deposit for commissary.

  • Reading Materials: Books, magazines, and educational materials like GED guides.

Community-Based Clients

  • Vital Records: Financial assistance with obtaining IDs and birth certificates.

  • Vocational and Employment-Related Supplies: work gear (i.e. work boots, hard hat), book bags, interview clothes, certification fees, training, and study materials.

  • Miscellaneous: Phone bill payments, one-time grocery shopping, and travel for probation transfers.

Who is Eligible for Ongoing Support?

We believe that all of our clients may need support from time to time, however we prioritize individuals who may have little to no family or community support and are:

  • Recently released from custody or living in transitional housing.

  • Facing significant barriers to employment or stability (e.g., health issues, felony convictions, lack of ID).

  • Required to attend frequent appointments with probation, treatment, or legal services.

  • Have no access to public assistance benefits (e.g., SSI, worker’s comp, SNAP).

How You Can Make a Difference

The CSF relies on the generosity of donors like you to make a direct impact on the lives of our clients. Your contribution helps provide transportation to court dates, food to nourish clients when they’re most vulnerable, and vital resources that empower individuals to succeed in their cases and rebuild their lives. Here’s how you can help:

One-Time Donation

Contribution: A one-time gift of any amount.

What it Supports: Your donation funds vital services like transportation, food, or clothing for clients in need.

Recurring Monthly Superstar

Contribution: A monthly donation of $25, $50, $100, or more.

What it Supports: Your ongoing support ensures that our clients receive continuous assistance with transportation, employment supplies, job training, and reentry services. As a recurring monthly superstar, you are helping sustain the CSF and making a lasting difference for clients navigating through their most difficult times. With your steady support, we can plan for the long-term success of our clients.

VIP Premium Sponsor

Contribution: A donation of $1,000 or more.

What it Supports: Your generous contribution funds critical, high-cost needs such as vocational training, vital documents, and job certifications that directly help clients secure employment and rebuild their lives. As a VIP premium sponsor, you are playing a key role in the systemic change we aim to create. Your support provides life-changing resources that empower clients to reenter society, find stable employment, and thrive.

Champion a Cause

Contribution: Consider funding specific needs/events such as a month metrocard, a grocery gift card for a family in need, a set of work boots, an overdue utility bill.

What it Supports: This allows us to fulfill specific requests for financial assistance that goes beyond our typical areas of support. Every donation directly fills an urgent need our cliemnts would otherwise go without.

  • One month of rent

  • An unpaid utility bill

  • $200 grocery gift card

  • A tracfone + 3 months of paid phone service

  • 25, 50 or 100 books for incarcerated clients

  • A cause of your choosing (holiday book drive, fundraising campaign, etc.)

Please share our mission with others to help expand our network of support. Every dollar makes a difference. Your donation helps us meet urgent needs and change lives. We ask you to stand with us and with those striving to rebuild their future. For more information or to make a donation, visit [donation link] or contact [contact info]. Together, we can ensure that all our clients have the resources they need to succeed.