In a world where migrants, refugees, and displaced individuals continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity, the Mariam Assefa Fund serves as a beacon of inclusive philanthropy. Established to transform systems and drive equity, the Fund invests in individuals and organizations committed to advancing immigrant inclusion, economic justice, and workforce development in the United States and Canada.
If you are an organization, community leader, nonprofit, social enterprise, or grassroots coalition working to uplift immigrant and refugee communities, you may be asking:
“What are the basic eligibility requirements for the Mariam Assefa Fund’s grants?”
In this extensive guide, we break down the fundamental eligibility criteria, explore the Fund’s values and funding priorities, and offer practical guidance on how to determine if your organization is a strong candidate for partnership or funding.
🌍 The Mariam Assefa Fund: A Mission Built on Equity and Systems Change
Before exploring eligibility, it’s essential to understand the unique philosophy behind the Mariam Assefa Fund.
Unlike traditional grantmakers that focus solely on program delivery, the Fund emphasizes systems-level change, lived experience leadership, and long-term transformation. Its goal is not merely to alleviate challenges, but to dismantle the root causes of inequity that affect immigrants and refugees.
Priority areas include:
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Inclusive and equitable workforce development
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Foreign credential recognition and fair evaluation systems
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Support for immigrant- and refugee-led organizations
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Community power-building and leadership development
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Racial and economic justice across institutions and industries
🛠️ Basic Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Apply?
While each funding opportunity may come with specific guidelines or application instructions, there are several core eligibility criteria that apply across the board. Let’s explore them in detail.
✅ 1. Legal Status and Organizational Structure
The Fund typically supports organizations that are legally registered and operating within the United States or Canada.
Eligible entities may include:
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Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) in the U.S. or registered charities in Canada)
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Community-based organizations
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Grassroots collectives with fiscal sponsors
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Social enterprises and mission-driven companies
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Research institutions or universities (with relevant community engagement)
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Worker cooperatives or coalitions supporting economic justice
Note: Unincorporated groups or individuals may still be eligible if they have a fiscal sponsor or are participating in a special fellowship or leadership initiative run by the Fund.
✅ 2. Geographic Focus
The Fund currently operates in North America, with grants targeted toward initiatives in:
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United States
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Canada
While your organization does not have to be national in scope, your work should directly benefit immigrants, refugees, or displaced persons within these regions.
✅ 3. Alignment with the Fund’s Mission and Strategic Priorities
One of the most important eligibility benchmarks is how well your organization or proposed project aligns with the Fund’s mission.
You are likely eligible if you work on:
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Empowering immigrant and refugee communities
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Workforce access and labor rights for migrants
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Credential recognition for foreign-trained professionals
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Leadership development for underrepresented voices
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Systems reform in education, licensing, or employment
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Advocacy, research, or policy innovation in immigrant inclusion
✅ 4. Immigrant and Refugee Leadership
Organizations that center the voices and leadership of immigrants and refugees are strongly encouraged to apply.
Examples include:
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Organizations founded or led by immigrants or refugees
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Programs co-created with affected communities
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Coalitions that meaningfully engage lived-experience leaders
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Governance structures that reflect community diversity
This is not just a preference—it’s a principle that guides the Fund’s grantmaking decisions.
✅ 5. Track Record or Emerging Potential
You don’t need to be a large or long-established organization to qualify. The Fund welcomes emerging leaders, pilot programs, and grassroots efforts—provided there’s evidence of community trust and impact.
You may qualify if:
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You have successfully implemented similar initiatives in the past
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You have community partnerships or testimonials supporting your work
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Your organization has systems in place to manage grants, budgets, and outcomes
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You are open to learning, adapting, and documenting impact
✅ 6. Commitment to Equity, Justice, and Inclusion
The Mariam Assefa Fund invests in organizations that are actively working to challenge racism, xenophobia, and exclusion—both externally and internally.
Your organization should demonstrate:
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A commitment to inclusive practices (staffing, leadership, outreach)
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A theory of change grounded in social and economic equity
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Transparency in how community stakeholders are engaged
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Efforts to decolonize philanthropy and shift power to the grassroots
🚫 Who May Not Be Eligible?
While the Fund is inclusive and flexible, there are certain entities and projects that are typically not eligible, such as:
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Organizations working outside the U.S. or Canada
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For-profit companies with no social or community benefit
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Initiatives focused solely on religious conversion or partisan politics
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Projects that are one-time events with no long-term impact
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Groups lacking financial transparency or accountability systems
📋 Sample Scenarios of Eligible Applicants
Let’s look at a few examples to illustrate who would meet the basic eligibility criteria:
✅ A nonprofit helping immigrant nurses re-enter the healthcare workforce by providing credential support, exam prep, and job placement assistance in Toronto.
Eligible: Aligns with workforce development, regional focus, and immigrant inclusion.
✅ A community-led coalition in Chicago that advocates for fair licensing practices and access to higher education for undocumented students.
Eligible: Systems change work rooted in racial justice and immigrant advocacy.
✅ An immigrant-founded social enterprise in Vancouver offering language and skills training for refugee women, with a scalable model for inclusive hiring.
Eligible: Immigrant-led, community-rooted, and addressing systemic barriers.
💼 The Role of FACTS Transcripts in Supporting Eligible Applicants
Many organizations seeking grants from the Mariam Assefa Fund work in areas that involve academic documentation, credential verification, and foreign qualification recognition. This is where FACTS Transcripts becomes a key operational ally.
If your initiative involves:
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Helping immigrants and refugees access their original academic transcripts
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Supporting licensing for foreign-trained engineers, teachers, or health professionals
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Preparing documentation for credential evaluation agencies
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Bridging education-to-employment gaps with verified documents
…then FACTS Transcripts can support your project in delivering high-quality, credible, and internationally accepted results.
Benefits include:
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Secure transcript collection from Indian and international universities
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University-sealed documents ready for evaluation
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Assistance with WES, ICAS, IQAS, and other credential agencies
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Streamlined service for organizations managing large client volumes
By integrating FACTS into your delivery model, you increase the efficacy and impact of your work—making you a more compelling grantee candidate.
📑 Preparing for the Application: What Comes Next?
Once you confirm your eligibility, prepare to:
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Articulate your theory of change and impact strategy
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Gather documents that reflect your governance and financial accountability
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Highlight your leadership story and community trust
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Share your willingness to learn, adapt, and collaborate
You don’t need to be perfect—you need to be purpose-driven and people-centered.
📝 Final Thoughts: Eligibility Is the First Step Toward Partnership
Becoming a grantee of the Mariam Assefa Fund is about more than just funding. It’s about joining a community of changemakers who are building an equitable future for immigrants, refugees, and all who seek dignity, opportunity, and belonging.
If your organization:
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Serves or is led by immigrants and refugees
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Works in the U.S. or Canada
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Advances equity, economic justice, and systems change
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Has a mission that aligns with the Fund’s values
…then you already meet the basic eligibility to apply or engage.
Our Services – FACTS Transcripts
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