The WES Mariam Assefa Fund

The WES Mariam Assefa Fund supports catalytic efforts to create more inclusive economies for immigrants and refugees in the U.S. and Canada.

About Us

Through grantmaking, co-funding partnerships, and support beyond the check, we work closely with organizations and leaders that are focused on ensuring more equitable access to opportunity and wealth. We also seek to shift power to local communities and community leaders, and to advance justice for immigrants and refugees.

Featured Initiatives

The Fund provides both general operating support grants and flexible strategic project grants to support a range of initiatives. Some of these include open calls to submit proposals. Others are sourced through research and community connections. Past open calls have included:

Woman, clipboard and manager in charity, volunteer and organizer for outreach program, smile and portrait. Happy senior person, non profit and support in social responsibility for NGO foundation

Better career pathways and training programs for workers in low-wage jobs are essential in helping immigrants and refugees achieve economic mobility and security; however, they alone are not enough.

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Brainstorming session

The Canadian Employer Practices initiative sought to engage Canadian employers in labour market integration and worker-centered approaches to building more inclusive workplaces.

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Man smiling outside

The Elevating Migrant Leadership initiative was designed to support immigrant and refugee-led organizations in the U.S. that are seeking to develop civic leadership and advocacy skills so they can more effectively influence the development of programs and policies that affect them and their communities.

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WES Opportunity Challenge: $1 Million to Uplift Immigrant Communities, sponsored by the Mariam Assefa Fund and Tarsadia Foundation

The Opportunity Challenge was a co-funding project of the WES Mariam Assefa Fund and the Tarsadia Foundation. The U.S.-based challenge sought to identify solutions to support the success of immigrants and refugees and their communities.

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Insights

Read our Insights Blog to hear perspectives from our Grantee Partners and the WES team.

How the Ellis Island Initiative Is Changing the Narrative to Welcome Immigrants in New York State.
Funding and Financing for Impact

How the Ellis Island Initiative Is Changing the Narrative to Welcome Immigrants in New York State

Subaita Rahman |

The Who, What, and Why of Investing in Newcomers
What’s New

The Who, What, and Why of Investing in Newcomers

Silan Akgul |

Funding and Financing for Impact

How Human-Centred Design Can Create More Inclusive Tech Workplaces for Newcomers

Silan Akgul |

Man smiling outside
Funding and Financing for Impact

Fund Launches Initiative to Elevate Migrant Leadership and Build Inclusive Futures

Silan Akgul |