The Liberty Fund

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 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.