2020 SABA North America Virtual Conference a Success

The novel coronavirus has affected all aspects of our lives this year, and caused the South Asian Bar Association of North America to take its Annual Conference virtual. This year’s conference featured a Judicial Chai Chat with Circuit Court judges Neomi Rao and Sri Srinivasan, moderated by Juvaria Khan. The Chai Chat was followed by the always popular SCOTUS Review with noted Supreme Court practitioners Loren Alikhan, Kirti Datla, Pratik Shah, Bannon Shanmugam and Tejinder Singh.

The South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of North America is celebrating its 17th Annual Convention and Gala virtually, kicked off by a special Judicial Chai C...

The highly anticipated Gala also went virtual, with keynote speakers Preet Bharara and Vanita Gupta, hosted by comedian Rajiv Satyal. The interactive afterparty was spun up by DJ Rekha. The Gala and Afterparty was produced in partnership with and broadcast by Diya TV.

SABA North America Foundation Announces 2020 Grantees

Our Foundation is committed to increasing the capacity of community-based organizations (“CBOs”) to respond to the legal needs and uphold the civil rights and liberties of the South Asian community and marginalized communities across North America. To reach its goal, Foundation makes grants to fight Domestic Violence, support Immigration Rights, eliminate Hate Crimes, Discrimination and Racial Profiling, and ensure Community Access to Justice.

We’re proud to announce our 2020 class (so far):

RAKSHA - ATLANTA, GA 

NARIKA - FREEMONT, CA 

ADHIKAAR - WOODSIDE, NY 

INDO-CANADIAN WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION - EDMONTON, AB 

MAI FAMILY SERVICES - LIVONIA, MI  

DAYA - HOUSTON, TX

SAHELI - BURLINGTON, MA

JAHAJEE SISTERS - NEW YORK, NY

SABA Foundation to Host Virtual Benefit on June 27

Join us on June 27 to celebrate the South Asian legal community and help raise money for fantastic organizations helping our communities across the continent. During 2020, Foundation has supported community-based organizations helping empower the South Asian communities of North America. This includes additional grant-making to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on these organizations. We hope you will support us during our virtual benefit on June 27.

Register today!

SABA Foundation Joins SABA North America in Celebrating the South Asian Legal Community

We’re excited to join the South Asian Bar Association of North America to celebrate the accomplishments and camaraderie of the South Asian legal community. Join SABA North America on June 26 and June 27 for educational and networking events. Virtually, of course.

During 2020, Foundation has supported community-based organizations helping empower the South Asian communities of North America. This includes additional grant-making to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on these organizations. We hope you will support us during our virtual benefit on June 27.

SABA Foundation Condemns Racism and Stands with African American and Black Communities

George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are just three of the most recent names in a seemingly never-ending list of Black victims of a system that devalues Black lives. The South Asian Bar Association of North America Foundation ("SABA Foundation") raises its voice to join the call for sweeping change. We denounce all forms of racism, colorism, and social injustice. In particular, we strongly condemn the unjust systems that legitimize police brutality plaguing the Black community. We believe that silence in the face of this injustice is complicity. We believe that Black Lives Matter.

We will continue promoting our organization's mission to support access to justice, legal education, research, and public interest employment as committed agents of change. We stand today and always for the values of equality, liberty, and justice for all, not just for the privileged few. We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. And we stand for the rights of People of Color and other diverse populations who can be suffocated no more. The fight will not end until all Black people live in a world where they can breathe, sleep, go for a jog, and live with dignity and without fear.  

Donations Matched until May 31, 2020

Great news! Your donations to Foundation between now and the end of May will be matched 1:1 up to $5000. This is a great way to double your impact on organizations doing good in the South Asian community. Donate today!

Webinar: The Impact of Trump’s Executive Order and COVID-19 on US Immigration →

Please join us on Tuesday, May 5th for a webinar focused on President Trump’s most recent Executive Order and its impact on US immigration as the country and world continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. Geared toward all community members and SABA Foundation Grantees, expert panelists will provide members of our community with perspective on this new, restrictive order.

Replay available.

Presented in partnership with SABA North America

Foundation Partners with SABA North America on COVID-19 Webinar

Please join the SABA Foundation, SABA's South Asian Women's Attorney Network (SAWAN), South Asian Amer­i­cans Lead­ing Togeth­er (SAALT), SABA Chicago, SABA-GA, SABA Houston, SABA-NJ, and SABANY for a virtual panel with executive directors from South Asian American gender-based violence nonprofits from across the country. The speakers will talk about the biggest issues facing their organizations in the time of COVID-19 and how the South Asian legal community can be helpful.

COVID-19 - A Call to Action from Foundation

Nonprofits Serving the South Asian Community Need Us Now

The 2020 SABA North America Conference has been postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 and with it the Foundation Benefit. Foundation recognizes that this is a crucial time for nonprofit organizations in the areas of immigration rights; domestic violence; hate crimes, discrimination and racial profiling; and community access to justice.

We are redoubling our efforts and Foundation is committed not only to awarding the same number and value of grants in 2020, but to providing additional emergency funding for nonprofits in need.   

Our Regular Grantmaking

We support organizations around the country that provide critical services to the most vulnerable members of the South Asian community. As just one example, a large percentage of Foundation's grantees provide services to individuals experiencing domestic violence, which has seen a sharp rise in recent weeks as those experiencing abuse are spending more time at home with their abusers. Our grantees need us now more than ever. 

In this time of crisis, Foundation /has committed to award one of our $5,000 grants to an organization serving the South Asian community that is in extreme need of relief as a result of COVID-19. 

Emergency Funding for Organizations who Need It

Over and above our regular grant making this year, we are seeking your help to provide urgent grant assistance to qualifying organizations within our mission who are struggling under the weight of the pandemic.

We ask for your support to provide emergency donations to these organizations. A donation of $100, $50, or even $25 a month will help Foundation continue to provide funding to organizations fighting to provide urgently needed services in these extraordinary times. One-time donations are welcome as well. Know that you are truly making a difference. 

Also note that Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and your 2020 donation to Foundation may be eligible for increased tax deductions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. You should confirm deductibility with your tax professional. 

Click here for more information about how you can help support our COVID-19 grants or for how to apply.