How Oakland Bloom Empowers Immigrant and Refugee Chefs

Wednesday September 6, 2023

“Food is a powerful connector across communities, to lands, as well as to one’s own health, expression, home, lineages, and identity. But the food industry is also built on systemic extraction, appropriation, and exploitation, particularly impacting poor and working-class people of color and …

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A Playbook for Power-Shifting in Philanthropic Investment

Wednesday August 30, 2023

by Smitha Das, Joi Edwards, Katheryn Witt   Rethinking Who’s at the Table Philanthropy has the power and the resources to help build an economy where all people—no matter their race or class—can thrive. Power, ownership, and choice over where and how capital is …

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Meet Said Hassan, Co-founder of Community Services Agency in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Wednesday July 19, 2023

Said Hassan founded Community Services Agency (COMSA) in 2017 to meet the unique needs of refugees and immigrants arriving in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he had settled himself a year earlier.  “Our goal is to build a resourceful community that contributes to the …

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Meet Two of Toronto Community Benefits Network’s New Ambassadors

Monday July 10, 2023

In June, Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) kicked off its 2023 Community Benefits Ambassadors program. TCBN, a grantee partner of the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, works to ensure that Toronto’s construction projects provide jobs to immigrants, refugees, women, and other groups underrepresented in …

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How the Drivers Cooperative Is Helping Immigrant Workers Reclaim Their Power

Wednesday June 21, 2023

The Drivers Cooperative, a grantee partner of the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, is a New York City-based organization of over 9,000 drivers who came together during the pandemic in pursuit of fundamental change in the rideshare vehicle industry.   A driver-owned alternative to Uber …

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Building the Financial Resilience and Sustainability of Our Grantee Partners in Canada

Friday June 9, 2023

Non-profit organizations in Canada play a crucial role in creating communities and economies that are inclusive of immigrants and refugees. However, a lack of flexible, stable, long-term funding often holds non-profits back from being innovative and providing the level of support that communities …

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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 …

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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, …

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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, …

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Montreal, Canada

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 …

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Thank you for your interest in the WES Mariam Assefa Fund. We’ll share updates on the Fund’s efforts, what we’re learning, and opportunities through our email list.