Who We Fund
We work with charities, non-profits, mission-driven for-profits, and fiscally sponsored organizations. Historically, few funders have focused on supporting the economic integration and mobility of immigrants, refugees, and racialized communities. Less than 2 percent of foundation funding in the U.S. goes to pro-immigrant groups; and less than 1 percent goes to women of color, according to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. We seek to address that gap, deploying our own funds and joining with co-funders. We are particularly excited to partner with organizations led and staffed by individuals from the communities they represent.
A testimonial portrait of a Hispanic woman.
Lived Experience
The Fund supports immigrant and refugee leaders and is focused on deepening the bench of leaders with lived experience as BIPOC immigrants, refugees, or as women of color. Currently, we only fund initiatives in the U.S. and Canada.
Contact us to learn more!
Canada is becoming a more and more diverse country, and everyone deserves to participate in the economy and prosper.
Rosemarie Powell, Executive Director of Toronto Community Benefits Network
Read Her Story
I realized my passion, which is working with small business owners and trying to understand what they do in their community.
Benson Ochira, Community Finance Fellow at Mission Driven Finance
Read His Story
I never saw myself as an executive director, but I wanted to address the need for adult education opportunities for immigrants in New Mexico.
Andrea Plaza, Executive Director of Encuentro
Read Her Story
Insights
Read our Insights Blog to hear perspectives from our Grantee Partners and the WES team.
How the Ellis Island Initiative Is Changing the Narrative to Welcome Immigrants in New York State
The United States has seen a significant uptick in the number of individuals seeking asylum within its borders, with over 150,000 arriving in New York City alone just in the past year and a half. With nearly half a million job openings throughout New York State, immigrants and refugees potentially have many opportunities to contribute […]
The Who, What, and Why of Investing in Newcomers
By Matthias Pries, Impact Investing Manager Migration is the loom that weaves the rich tapestry that is Canadian society. Walk down the main street of any Canadian city and you can see, smell, and hear it. Working at World Education Services (WES) has given me a chance to strengthen this tapestry. How? By investing in […]
How Human-Centred Design Can Create More Inclusive Tech Workplaces for Newcomers
Guest Blog by Lila Berryman, senior innovation specialist, Venture 2 Impact, and Nouhaila Chelkhaoui, founder and CEO, Scale Without Borders At Venture 2 Impact, with support from the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, we set out to develop a project that would support Canadian tech employers’ efforts to meaningfully recruit, engage, and retain the diverse talents […]
Fund Launches Initiative to Elevate Migrant Leadership and Build Inclusive Futures
New funding opportunity seeks to support organizations elevating the voices and influence of immigrants and refugees in United States communities The World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund today announced a new grantmaking initiative. Elevating Migrant Leadership: Building Inclusive Futures will support U.S. organizations that are working to strengthen immigrant and refugee voices and leadership. […]
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our vision of a future when immigrants and refugees can thrive is closely linked to our efforts to dismantle racism, discrimination, and biases.
These efforts are based on our commitment to:
- Invest in leaders from immigrant and refugee communities and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities
- Prioritize funding strategies that address the structural barriers people experience because of their race, ethnicity, gender, culture, religion, citizenship, and other identities
- Shift power to our partners and communities and provide flexible funding and support
- Build a team whose diverse lived and learned experiences foster an inclusive culture
- Work with external consultants and vendors whose staff and leadership reflect immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC communities
Our Partners
Our partners share our commitment to building inclusive, equitable economies where all immigrants and refugees can thrive, and are champions for their communities and leaders in their fields. Alongside our partners, the Fund seeks to create a community where organizations can collaborate, share knowledge and resources, and collectively work to drive lasting change in the U.S. and Canada. Explore and learn more about our community of current and past grantee partners.
Grantee Partners
