Fund Announces Lead Investment in Mission Driven Finance Capital Partners
Tuesday May 23, 2023
The World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund today announced a $500,000 commitment to Mission Driven Finance (MDF) Capital Partners, a new vehicle to fuel inclusive economic development by equipping businesses and projects doing good with the right capital in the right size …
PeaceGeeks and Immigrant Networks Pilot New Mentorship Platform
Wednesday May 3, 2023
With an increasing number of immigrants arriving in Canada, there is a need for accessible tools that can assist newcomers as they navigate the Canadian job market. To address this need, PeaceGeeks, a Vancouver-based non-profit that creates digital tools to support displaced people, …
Fund Partners with Village Capital on Accelerator Program to Advance Climate Justice for Migrants and Communities of Color
Tuesday April 25, 2023
Seeking 10-12 early-stage startups supporting immigrants, refugees, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by climate change Village Capital, with support from the World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund, today launched an accelerator program for startups creating inclusive solutions for immigrants, refugees, …
New Grants to Au Coeur de l’Enfance, Béati Foundation, and Solidarity Across Borders to Support Immigrants and Refugees in Quebec
Monday April 24, 2023
The WES Mariam Assefa Fund is excited to announce C$600,000 in grants to organizations working to support immigrants and refugees in Quebec. This new funding is supporting Au Coeur de l’Enfance and Solidarity Across Borders in their efforts to address the barriers that …
WES Mariam Assefa Fund Announces New Impact Investments to Unlock Homeownership for Underserved, Black Communities
Thursday March 9, 2023
The World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund today announced two new impact investments totaling US$750,000 in Blackstar Stability and the Dearfield Fund for Black Wealth, both of which leverage homeownership as a tool to help Black and underserved communities build generational assets …
Announcing New Grants to Support New York City Asylum Seekers
Tuesday February 21, 2023
The WES Mariam Assefa Fund is excited to announce $230,000 in grants to seven New York-based organizations that support asylum seekers. The funding will enable these groups to strengthen their work on the ground responding to the significant increase in asylum seekers arriving …
Meet Léa Tienou-Gustafson, the Fund’s New Senior Director
Friday February 10, 2023
On January 17, the WES Mariam Assefa Fund welcomed our new Senior Director, Léa Tienou-Gustafson. Léa comes to us from the Chicago non-profit Heartland Alliance, where she served as director of refugee and immigrant community services, supporting over a thousand refugees and immigrants …
How Talent Beyond Boundaries is Supporting Economic Mobility for Refugees in Canada
Thursday January 19, 2023
Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) matches refugees abroad with career opportunities in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. TBB works directly with governments around the world to open up skilled migration pathways to refugees. Through a grant from the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, TBB …
What Inspired Our Team in 2022
Thursday December 22, 2022
As the year winds down, the WES Mariam Assefa Fund team is reflecting on the extraordinary organizations, leaders, and efforts that inspired us. In 2022, we funded a total of 66 organizations across the United States and Canada, including 39 brand-new partners, who …
A Racial Equity and Immigrant Justice Partnership with Echoing Green: Meet the Fellows
Friday December 9, 2022
Earlier this year, the WES Mariam Assefa Fund announced a $1.5 million partnership with Echoing Green to launch the Racial Equity and Immigrant Justice initiative, a fellowship to support immigrants and refugees of color in the United States and Canada. Through Echoing Green’s …
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