FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 28, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Stephany Newburn, Home for Refugees USA (s.newburn@hfrusa.org)
67% of recipients are Afghan American, Muslim, Veteran, or refugee-led organizations
$14M in total donated to 172 organizations since Welcome Fund launch in September 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Welcome Fund, a project of Welcome.US and administered by GoFundMe.org, is awarding just over $5.6 million to 143 organizations engaging Americans in the resettlement of Afghan newcomers. Home for Refugees USA is proud to be one of the grantees. This round of awards exceeds Welcome.US’ original goal of dispersing $3 million, due to both increased contributions to the Fund and the high volume of quality applicants.
The funding lifts up community-based efforts outside of the traditional nine U.S. resettlement agencies, and prioritizes historically underfunded organizations in communities across the country. Due to this effort, Home for Refugees USA, has the honor of receiving this grant from Welcome.US. Nearly two-thirds of the grantees are Afghan American, Muslim, Veteran, or refugee-led organizations. Applications reflect diverse ways community organizations are stepping up or expanding efforts to support the resettlement process, including providing translation services, securing housing, finding employment, and helping children enroll in schools. Collectively, these efforts will mobilize more than 10,000 volunteers to help over 45,000 Afghan newcomers.
Since last August, more than 75,000 Afghans have arrived from military bases abroad to the United States and have been relocated and resettled into over 140 communities. In response, hundreds of nonprofits across the country have stepped up to support their transition.
Home for Refugees USA has had the privilege to be a frontline organization that is constantly involving community members as Welcomers. Home for Refugees USA forms Community Sponsorship Teams and Sponsor Circles with faith and community groups in partnership with Community Sponsorship Hub, Sponsor Circles, Refugee Resettlement Agencies, and immigration organizations to resettle refugees. The individuals in these groups commit to a 12 month period of volunteer support and play an integral role by providing wrap around services to help refugees become self-sufficient and get off to a strong start in our country.
Welcome.US is appreciative of the generous donations from the hundreds of donors to the fund, including substantial contributions from The Shapiro Foundation, the Kaufer Family Fund, The Schmidt Family Foundation, PAR Capital Management, Target, the TripAdvisor Foundation, Walmart, and United Airlines.
“These grantees have demonstrated an incredible commitment to supporting Afghan newcomers here in the U.S. GoFundMe.org is a proud partner of the Welcome Fund, and we are thrilled to support the welcoming movement that’s rapidly spreading across the country,” said Yoshiko Inoue, Executive Director of GoFundMe.org.