67% of recipients are Afghan American, Muslim, Veteran, or refugee-led organizations
$14M in total donated to 172 organizations since Welcome Fund launch in September 2021
The Welcome Fund, a project of Welcome.US and administered by GoFundMe.org, is awarding just over $5.6 million to 143 organizations engaging Americans in the resettlement of Afghan newcomers. Home for Refugees USA is proud to be one of the grantees. This round of awards exceeds Welcome.US’ original goal of dispersing $3 million, due to both increased contributions to the Fund and the high volume of quality applicants.
The funding lifts up community-based efforts outside of the traditional nine U.S. resettlement agencies, and prioritizes historically underfunded organizations in communities across the country. Due to this effort, Home for Refugees USA, has the honor of receiving this grant from Welcome.US. Nearly two-thirds of the grantees are Afghan American, Muslim, Veteran, or refugee-led organizations. Applications reflect diverse ways community organizations are stepping up or expanding efforts to support the resettlement process, including providing translation services, securing housing, finding employment, and helping children enroll in schools. Collectively, these efforts will mobilize more than 10,000 volunteers to help over 45,000 Afghan newcomers.
Since last August, more than 75,000 Afghans have arrived from military bases abroad to the United States and have been relocated and resettled into over 140 communities. In response, hundreds of nonprofits across the country have stepped up to support their transition.
Home for Refugees USA has had the privilege to be a frontline organization that is constantly involving community members as Welcomers. Home for Refugees USA forms Community Sponsorship Teams and Sponsor Circles with faith and community groups in partnership with Community Sponsorship Hub, Sponsor Circles, Refugee Resettlement Agencies, and immigration organizations to resettle refugees. The individuals in these groups commit to a 12 month period of volunteer support and play an integral role by providing wrap around services to help refugees become self-sufficient and get off to a strong start in our country.
Welcome.US is appreciative of the generous donations from the hundreds of donors to the fund, including substantial contributions from The Shapiro Foundation, the Kaufer Family Fund, The Schmidt Family Foundation, PAR Capital Management, Target, the TripAdvisor Foundation, Walmart, and United Airlines.
“These grantees have demonstrated an incredible commitment to supporting Afghan newcomers here in the U.S. GoFundMe.org is a proud partner of the Welcome Fund, and we are thrilled to support the welcoming movement that’s rapidly spreading across the country,” said Yoshiko Inoue, Executive Director of GoFundMe.org.
About Welcome.US
At Welcome.US, our mission is to unleash the desire and capacity of Americans to welcome newcomers and help them thrive. We operate on the evidence that direct participation with newcomers transforms both the welcomer and those being welcomed. By making it easier for Americans from all walks of life to participate in the work of welcoming—and telling their stories—we are building a movement that celebrates America’s welcoming spirit by providing an opportunity to serve for all who seek to welcome. Our diverse community of Welcomers reaches across real and perceived divides to meet the needs of newcomers more effectively. In partnership with local and national resettlement agencies, diaspora organizations and leaders, refugees, community sponsorship groups, nonprofits, businesses, faith-based institutions, veterans, universities, four former Presidents and four former First Ladies, Welcome.US is a single point of entry for Americans who want to get involved and support those who are starting new lives in the United States.
To learn more about Welcome.US, please visit welcome.us.
A project of Welcome.US, the Welcome Fund provides philanthropy, major donors, and the private sector an effective and coordinated national mechanism that will enable communities to not only support those seeking refuge, but also to build a movement of welcome that extends beyond this immediate crisis. The Welcome Fund is governed by an independent Advisory Committee that ensures that funds are disbursed with integrity and directed to address the most pressing needs and emerging issues. The Advisory Committee is comprised of leaders who bring lived experience, refugee resettlement expertise, grantmaking knowledge, and other resources that are essential to executing the Welcome Fund’s mission.
About GoFundMe.org GoFundMe.org, an independent public charity, manages and receives donations for the Welcome Fund from individual and philanthropic donors. Recommendations for potential grantees are made by the Welcome Fund Advisory Committee to GoFundMe.org, which provides rigorous fiduciary and compliance oversight; supports rapid deployment of grants; and ensures timely and transparent reporting.
