Backlash including death threats resulted in the return of a $7,500 grant to the city of Boston from OUTnewcomers, a nonprofit providing services for LGBTQ+ immigrants.
The backlash came following reactionary news reports from outlets including Mass Daily News, The New York Post and the Daily Mail, “which framed [the grant] as being about Boston’s ‘woke’ mayor delivering handouts to immigrants,” according to Boston.com. However, the nonprofit was in fact using the grant for a program that “was not in line with the designated purpose of the funds,” noted Boston.com.
Reports Boston.com :
Last month, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced a new round of grant funding meant to help immigrants. The funding, she said at the time, was a direct response to the ongoing attacks on immigrants from the Trump administration.
OUTnewcomers was awarded $7,500 through the city’s “Weaving Well-being” program, which officials said was meant to “support immigrant community-driven wellness and mental health.” OUTnewcomers had received some funding from the city before, and [the nonprofit’s’ founder Sal] Khan said they were extremely grateful for the money. They also knew there was the possibility of backlash.
Khan intended to use the funding for a new initiative called “Project Belonging Matters.” It was described in a recent press release as an effort to “provide non-clinical wellness support to LGBTQ+ migrants in the City of Boston.” Khan’s initial idea was to create wellness-focused workshops for LGBTQ+ immigrants and other programming, but they also wanted a way to support individuals and businesses more directly.
Khan advertised the program on Instagram, which included an offer to “get $250-$500 for your well-being.” It said that “low-income, trans and isolated LGBTQ+ migrants in Boston” would be given priority and that funds received would have to be used in the city. Applicants were given the opportunity to request dollar amounts ranging from $50 to $500, with the latter reserved for “extreme cases for people suffering with documented medical conditions/disability,” according to a report from MassLive. The post has since been deleted. …
[Last last week] Khan issued the following statement:
“Due to escalating and credible threats to my personal safety, as well as to the integrity of our organization’s work, we have made the difficult and deeply distressing decision to cease all programming funded by the City of Boston. In light of these circumstances, all funds received through this support will be returned in full. This decision has not been made lightly, but out of an urgent need to prioritize safety, accountability, and the well-being of those we serve,” they said.
The grant funding distributed to OUTnewcomers was allocated from the fiscal year 2026 budget. A city spokesperson responded Friday, confirming that the funds will be returned.
“No funds were distributed for this purpose. The organization is returning the funds to the City. The $7,500 grant was awarded to support mental health programs and services—using it for the voucher program being referenced was never allowed and is not happening,” the city spokesperson said in a statement.
Despite the return of the grant funding, Khan said they are determined to keep OUTnewcomers going, to help LGBTQ+ immigrants. The organization is still being supported by private donations, Khan said.