PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Bail Fund has announced it is pausing its operations after five years.
The nonprofit issued a statement to donors and supporters via email Wednesday, saying leaders will focus on a strategic planning process during the pause. There is no word on how long that process will take.
“This was a tough decision, but we’re convinced it’s the right one,” said fund leaders. “Right now, the most responsible choice for us is to pause so we can be sure that future work is serving our community and moving our mission forward.”
Bails that have already been posted will not be affected, said the fund.
According to its website, the Bail Fund is a revolving fund that posts bail for those who can't afford it, with a goal for an end to cash bail in the city. “Our goal is to keep families and communities together and vigorously advocate for the end to cash bail in Philadelphia,” said the group’s mission statement.
Since forming in January 2018, the organization says it has posted more than $4 million to aid more than 1,000 people in Philadelphia.
The fund has also connected people it has bailed out to community services such as food banks, affordable housing resources, education and job training, mental health services and government benefits.