Our Reflections on 2021 – and What We’re Looking Forward to in 2022
Friday January 14, 2022
Happy New Year! As we kick off 2022, the WES Mariam Assefa Fund team is reflecting on the remarkable organizations, leaders, and efforts that inspired us last year amid many challenges, and looking ahead to what we’re excited about in the new year. …
New Impact Investments to Build Wealth for Workers and Entrepreneurs from Immigrant and BIPOC Communities
Wednesday December 15, 2021
The World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund today announced two new impact investments totaling US$900,000 aimed at supporting economic mobility and expanding shared ownership models among workers and entrepreneurs from historically excluded communities. These impact investments, in Apis & Heritage Capital Partners …
Announcing $1.8 Million Commitment to Advance Inclusive Employer Practices for Immigrant and Refugee Job Seekers and Workers
Thursday December 9, 2021
Support will focus on health care and agricultural sectors, employer collaboration, and worker organizing and power-building The WES Mariam Assefa Fund today announced the award of US$1.8 million in grants to 12 U.S. and Canadian organizations working to improve the economic mobility of …
Community Members Are Leading This Participatory Grantmaking Project – Here’s How It Works
Wednesday December 8, 2021
This piece was originally published on Future of Good, written by Neha Chollangi. The WES Mariam Assefa Fund is partnering with Future of Good on a series of digital stories to highlight its first-ever participatory grantmaking project in Peel region, Ontario facilitated by …
Philanthropy Across WES: How WES’ Fund Ambassadors are Making an Impact
Tuesday December 7, 2021
In February 2021, the WES Mariam Assefa Fund kicked off its second annual Fund Ambassadors program, which is a corporate philanthropy and professional development initiative. The program engages staff from across WES to learn about philanthropy and identify mission-aligned organizations to receive donations. …
Meet Luis Sandoval, Executive Director of Building Skills Partnership
Friday December 3, 2021
Growing up in both Mexicali, a border town in Mexico, and Salinas, California, Luis Sandoval couldn’t help but take notice of the barriers that prevented him and other immigrants from accessing career and educational opportunities. Inspired by his personal experience of growing up …
Fund Partners with Tamarack Institute to Launch a Participatory Grantmaking Project to Support Immigrants’ Economic Mobility in Peel Region
Tuesday October 26, 2021
The WES Mariam Assefa Fund is excited to announce its partnership with the Tamarack Institute to launch a participatory grantmaking project in the Peel region of Ontario, Canada. Tamarack will engage community stakeholders to identify the needs of immigrants and refugees in the …
Meet Renay Dossman, President of the Neighborhood Development Center in Minnesota
Thursday October 21, 2021
As President of the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), Renay Dossman oversees efforts to support sustainable community development and equitable economic opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners—35 percent of whom are immigrants and refugees—in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. “Working at NDC is …
Coalition of Funders to Support Refugee Resettlement Agencies and Help U.S. Communities Sponsor Newcomers from Afghanistan and Other Countries
Tuesday October 12, 2021
Over the last month, tens of thousands of Afghans have been forced to flee their homes and been hastily resettled in new countries. Communities across the U.S. are welcoming Afghan refugees and helping them get settled. To best support refugees as they look …
Building a Trust-Based Philanthropy Over the Last Two Years
Thursday September 30, 2021
By Monica Munn, Managing Director of Philanthropy at World Education Services (WES) Two years ago, the WES Mariam Assefa Fund made its first grants to organizations working to build more inclusive economies for immigrants and refugees. We were excited to begin our journey …
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