Community Impact Microgrants

As hundreds of thousands of sponsored newcomers risk losing their legal status and work authorization, and immigration issues are consistently in the headlines, Welcomers are offering a different narrative within their communities. These Welcomers are sharing firsthand experiences about who newcomers are, why they're here, and the benefits they bring to our country.

To amplify these efforts, Welcome.US is launching a Community Impact Microgrants program to provide members of our Welcomer Communities with funds ranging from $250 to $550 for exceptional projects that publicly elevate Welcomer stories, educate others on sponsorship pathways, and share the journeys and contributions of newcomers.

What is a Welcomer Community?

A Welcomer Community is a space for sponsors and Welcomers to connect with others in their area, exchange ideas, and coordinate efforts to support newcomers and private sponsorship in their communities. To date, Welcomer Communities have launched in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. To learn more about these communities and how to join, visit the webpage.

Eligibility

The purpose of these grants is to support projects that: (1) Educate the community about sponsorship pathways; and/or (2) Celebrate the contributions that newcomers make to your community. Community involvement is essential. Projects should demonstrate collective effort and deliver benefits to the wider community, rather than focusing on individual impact.

Below are some examples of eligible projects:

• Hosting a booth at a local fair to share information on sponsorship pathways and the positive impact of newcomers.
• Setting up a table at a local farmers market to engage the community in conversations about how and why welcoming should play a role in their neighborhoods.
• Creating an art project or exhibit that shows how newcomers enrich the community.
• Hosting a documentary screening about refugee experiences at a local theater.
• Organizing a “Refugee Day” or “Newcomer Appreciation Day” in collaboration with local diaspora communities, libraries, faith centers, or other community organizations.
• Holding storytelling events to feature newcomers' journeys and contributions to the community.
• Launching a media or social media campaign to share sponsorship stories with an emphasis on local impact.
• Organizing an in-person or virtual event or phone call / letter writing campaign for Welcomers to meet each other and share their value for welcoming with their elected representatives.

Note: Welcome.US will provide communications support, marketing/promotional, and/or educational material as needed.

Application details

Deadline and process

• Submit your application by Oct. 31, 2025.
• Applications are reviewed and funded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
• You'll receive an initial grant decision within 15 business days of submission.
• We may ask for clarification or additional budget details if needed.

Evaluation priorities

Applicants must be residents of one of the above states and committed to participating in a minimum of two Welcomer Community meetings. Priority will also go to proposals that:

• Include outreach to local journalists, blogs, newsletters, or other public-facing communications channels to maximize reach and impact. Welcome.US will provide communications support, marketing/promotional, and/or educational material as needed.
• Demonstrate strong potential for broader community involvement.

How will grants be awarded?

• Funding will be disbursed through GoFundMe. Applicants will be required to create a fundraising page on GoFundMe to receive the funds.
• The proposed project needs to be completed within six months of receiving the microgrant.
• Within two weeks of completing the project, awardees will submit a brief report sharing the project's results, pictures, and videos for potential use in Welcome.US newsletters and social media platforms. A report template and media release forms will be provided.

Are there restrictions on the microgrants?

• Funding is intended for individuals only, not organizations/nonprofits.
• Funds cannot be used for direct support to newcomers (e.g., gift cards, rent, food, etc.).
• Funds cannot support or promote partisan activities, political parties, or specific policies.
• Funds cannot be used for proselytizing or promoting one religion over another.

What should I know about submitting my application?

Before you apply, please make sure your project meets these criteria:

• Focuses on community education or celebration: Your project should educate the community about sponsorship pathways and/or highlight newcomers' contributions.
• Demonstrates community involvement: Projects must reflect shared effort and deliver benefits to the broader community, not just individual impact.

We prefer (but don’t require) that the applicant contribute at least 15% of the project costs, either through in-kind resources or by fundraising from the community. Note: If your project is approved, you will be asked to complete a short background check through Sterling Volunteers.

The application includes required details about your project. Since you cannot save drafts in Google Forms, we strongly recommend reviewing all questions and preparing your answers in advance. You can find the complete list of questions here.