The Liberty Fund is New York City’s first city-wide charitable bail fund, founded in partnership with New York City Council, its Committees on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and Councilmembers Keith Powers and Rory Lancman; the founder and president of The Doe Fund, George McDonald; and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. The Liberty Fund was created to reduce the number of New Yorkers subjected to pretrial detention at Rikers Island simply because they are unable to post bail. The Liberty Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit organization.
WHAT WE DO
The Liberty Fund helps prevent New Yorkers from having their lives and freedom upended by a misdemeanor charge. By providing bail to qualifying clients who cannot afford to pay bail set at $2000 or less, the Liberty Fund reduces the number of New Yorkers subjected to pretrial detention at Rikers Island.
OUR GOALS
- To reduce the number of New Yorkers subjected to pretrial detention.
- To maintain the presumption of innocence by allowing clients the freedom and choice to contest charges against them.
- To support clients in other aspects of their lives through voluntarily provided services.
We are focused on the direct impact the Liberty Fund has on the lives and outcomes for all of our clients and the community we live in.
WHY CHARITABLE BAIL?
No one should be incarcerated because they cannot post bail. Pretrial detention can be devastating to individuals and families, sometimes resulting in the loss of a job or housing. Being unable to post bail often forces people to plead guilty, simply to get out of jail. False guilty pleas greatly impact a person’s presumption of innocence and their right to a fair trial.