Our Mission
The mission of the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund is to end cash bail and pretrial detention in our city. Until that day, we post bail for our neighbors who cannot afford to pay.
Black Mamas Bail out
Nine years ago the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund was founded when a group of neighbors and organizers came together to raise money to bail out Black mothers and caregivers for Mother's Day. Since then, we've freed 1265 of our neighbors from jail and spent $10.5 million in bail. Through Black Mama's Bail Out, we've freed 260 mamas for $2.8 million.
Last year we spent over $358,000 to free 36 mamas. We are hoping to match those numbers this year. We received a generous grant from National Bail Out of $100,000 for bail. Our goal is to raise at least $50,000 in matching funds between now and Mother's Day Sunday May 10th. Every dollar raised will help us free a Black mother or caregiver and reunite a family this spring.
Help A Loved One
Bail Requests
PCBF is accepting bail requests for Black Mama's Bail Out until June 14, 2026.
Black Mama's Bail Out is open to:
PCBF is accepting bail requests for Black Mama's Bail Out until June 14, 2026.
Black Mama's Bail Out is open to:
- Black women, femmes, and gender non-conforming people
- Black mothers and caregivers of children, and ill, disabled or elderly people
- Black men who are custodial parents or guardians of children and ill, disabled, or elderly people
Participatory Defense
We encourage those looking to support loved ones incarcerated in a Philadelphia prison to connect with a Participatory Defense Hub. Participatory Defense Hubs are like community support groups where people facing criminal charges, those who have been through the Criminal Justice system, and volunteers trained by the Philadelphia Defender Association workshop each others cases and offer court support. You don't have to do this alone.
We encourage those looking to support loved ones incarcerated in a Philadelphia prison to connect with a Participatory Defense Hub. Participatory Defense Hubs are like community support groups where people facing criminal charges, those who have been through the Criminal Justice system, and volunteers trained by the Philadelphia Defender Association workshop each others cases and offer court support. You don't have to do this alone.
Stay Connected
To keep informed of our upcoming campaigns and events, subscribe to our mailing list below. We send out updates and announcements a few times a year.
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Philadelphia Community Bail Fund
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