From Vision to Impact: Five Years of the Fund Ambassadors Program
Written by Ashley Taylor, Senior Partnership & Strategy Associate for the Mariam Assefa Fund
NEW YORK—(December 19, 2024) This year, we proudly celebrate the fifth year of the Fund Ambassadors Program alongside the WES Mariam Assefa Fund’s five-year anniversary. Since its launch in 2020, the Fund Ambassadors Program has empowered WES staff to have a meaningful impact on immigrant and refugee communities across the United States and Canada. We are thrilled to share that 10 organizations have been awarded a total of US$100,000 in donations. This funding will help advance efforts aimed at fostering inclusive economic opportunities and communities for immigrants, refugees, and communities of color.
Impact Over Five Years
The program began with a dedicated first cohort of eight Ambassadors who learned about the fundamentals of philanthropy with the inaugural Fund team. The idea came about as WES had recently launched the Fund and staff across the organization were interested in better understanding how philanthropy can make a difference.
The following year, in 2021, the Fund Ambassadors Program developed into a hands-on experience in a pilot program that gave a cohort of WES staff the opportunity to select and make donations to organizations they selected themselves.
Since then, the program has evolved to become more collaborative and robust, adding alumni as volunteer mentors, facilitators, and reviewers. Ambassadors have sourced, screened, and selected donation recipients across a range of issues, including youth supports, women, and immigrant inclusion. This transformative experience has allowed Ambassadors to directly contribute to building inclusive economies and supporting diverse communities through impactful donations that drive the WES mission.
“This experience not only deepened my understanding of WES’ mission but also inspired me to think more broadly about the many ways I can make a positive impact on the world.”
—Shamara Powell, 2024 Fund Ambassador, Project Manager, Growth Marketing
To date, the program has donated ~$450,000 to a total of 42 organizations that are creating lasting change for immigrants, refugees, and communities of color: 19 organizations in the U.S. and 23 in Canada.
Announcing 2024 Fund Ambassador Donations
This year, seven new Fund Ambassadors deepened their knowledge of trust-based philanthropy, mission investing, and community-centered decision-making through a learning series led by the WES Mariam Assefa Fund team. Their experience included training in philanthropy fundamentals, interview techniques, due diligence, and relationship-building, with guidance from sector experts and peer mentors. The cohort concluded their work by presenting their recommendations and awarding donations to impactful organizations, reflecting the program’s dedication to empowering communities and fostering meaningful change.
“Being a part of the Fund’s Ambassador program really brought to light how our organization also aims to boost and support the organizations that help individuals beyond what we do—it was impactful to learn about the philanthropic process and how many organizations there are dedicated to helping immigrant and refugee populations.”
—Anna Chu, 2024 Fund Ambassador, Production Analyst, Production
A total of US$70,000 in donations were made to the following five Canadian organizations and two U.S. organizations:
- COMPASS Refugee Centre selected by Anna Chu, Production Analysis
- MOSAIC – Settlement and Employment Services for Newcomers selected by Justyna Zawilska, Production
- Nisa Foundation – Learning Workshops selected by Mehr Tiwana, Social Impact Marketing & Communications
- People to People Aid Organization Canada (P2P) – Sound the Horn Program selected by Helen Wolde, MDO
- Sexuality Education Resource Centre (SERC) – Our Families Can Talk About Anything (OFTA) selected by Kris Gowen, Social Impact/Planning, Learning & Evaluation
- Arts for All selected by Shamara Powell, Marketing
- Climate Mobilization Project selected by Molly Wu, U.S. Policy & Programs
Ambassadors and Alumni Drive Change Together
This year, alumni and current Ambassadors were also invited to collaboratively select three additional organizations to receive US$30,000 in follow-on donations. These organizations are:
Canada
- Afghan Women’s Organization (AWO) continues to serve Afghan women and refugees, focusing on integration, mental health support, and skill-building to ensure stability and independence in their new home country.
- Afro Women and Youth Foundation (AWYF) advocates for African women and youth, providing vital resources and opportunities for leadership, education, and community engagement.
United States
- Community Inclusion & Development Alliance (CIDA) empowers immigrant communities through innovative programs that foster social inclusion, economic development, and access to resources.
As we celebrate five years of the Fund Ambassadors Program and the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, we are reminded of the power of collective action, trust-based philanthropy, and community-led decision-making. The impact of this program goes beyond dollars disbursed—it enables WES staff to learn, strengthen connections, and contribute meaningfully to the WES mission. Here’s to five years of impact and collaboration, and many more to come!
