In an era marked by growing global migration, the need to build inclusive economies and equitable systems has never been greater. The Mariam Assefa Fund has emerged as a trailblazer in this mission—investing in visionary leaders, community-based organizations, and systems-change efforts that support immigrants and refugees in accessing dignified work, quality education, and long-term economic mobility.
For nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, advocacy groups, research institutions, and grassroots coalitions working in these areas, the possibility of becoming a grantee partner with the Mariam Assefa Fund is not just a funding opportunity—it’s a pathway to collaboration, transformation, and long-term impact.
But what does it take to become a grantee partner?
What criteria does the Fund use to evaluate potential collaborators?
This comprehensive blog breaks down the selection process, guiding values, evaluation benchmarks, and tips for positioning your organization or initiative for success.
🌍 The Mission Behind the Mariam Assefa Fund
Before examining the selection criteria, it’s important to understand the vision and strategy of the Fund.
The Mariam Assefa Fund is focused on building inclusive systems and equitable economies where immigrants and refugees thrive. Its approach goes beyond charity and direct services—it supports systems change, community leadership, and policy advocacy to create long-lasting transformation.
Key priority areas include:
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Inclusive workforce development
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Credential recognition and foreign qualification access
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Immigrant- and refugee-led innovation
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Economic mobility for underrepresented communities
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Racial and social justice in labor systems
Grantee partnerships are a core strategy in achieving these goals.
🧭 The Fund’s Approach to Grantee Selection
Unlike traditional grantmaking models that prioritize rigid metrics or short-term deliverables, the Mariam Assefa Fund embraces a trust-based, equity-centered, and collaborative approach to partner selection.
This means the Fund looks for more than just project proposals—it seeks values-aligned partners who are deeply rooted in their communities, committed to systemic impact, and ready to experiment, learn, and lead.
✅ Core Criteria for Selecting Grantee Partners
Below are the key criteria the Fund typically uses to evaluate prospective grantees. While not exhaustive, these indicators reflect the Fund’s philosophy and strategy:
1. Mission Alignment and Systems-Level Focus
The organization’s work must align with the Fund’s overarching goals of immigrant and refugee inclusion, workforce equity, and systems transformation.
What this means:
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You work to dismantle structural barriers in employment, education, or recognition of foreign credentials
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You promote community-led solutions that address inequities in labor, healthcare, education, or policy
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Your work doesn’t just fill gaps—it seeks to change the systems that create those gaps
2. Immigrant and Refugee Leadership
Organizations that center lived experience—particularly those led by immigrants or refugees—are given high priority.
What this means:
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Your leadership team or board includes people from immigrant/refugee backgrounds
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You co-design programs with the communities you serve
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You uplift voices that have historically been excluded from philanthropy, policy, and decision-making
3. Community-Based and Grassroots Roots
The Fund values organizations that are deeply embedded in their communities and have strong relationships with the people they serve.
What this means:
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You have authentic local partnerships
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Your work responds to direct community needs
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You’re seen as a trusted resource and advocate by immigrant communities
4. Commitment to Racial and Economic Equity
Prospective partners should demonstrate a clear and intentional commitment to dismantling racism, xenophobia, and economic injustice.
What this means:
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Your work includes strategies to address racial disparities
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You consider intersectionality (race, class, immigration status, gender, etc.) in your program design
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You have internal policies or practices promoting DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion)
5. Innovation and Adaptability
The Fund supports ideas that challenge the status quo, experiment with new models, or pilot bold approaches to persistent problems.
What this means:
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You’re open to trying new approaches or collaborations
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You view failure as part of innovation and learning
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You embrace flexibility rather than one-size-fits-all solutions
6. Capacity for Learning and Collaboration
The Fund isn’t just looking for grantees—it’s looking for partners. Organizations must be ready to co-create, reflect, share insights, and contribute to broader learning.
What this means:
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You engage in dialogue and feedback
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You’re willing to document lessons and share with peers
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You participate in peer learning groups or funder-grantee cohorts
7. Track Record and Potential for Impact
While the Fund supports small and emerging organizations, there is still an emphasis on:
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Demonstrated impact (even if small scale)
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Clear theory of change or strategic plan
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Organizational stability or growth potential
What this means:
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You have data, stories, or insights to show your value
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You can articulate how your work drives change
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You can handle multi-year or flexible funding responsibly
8. Trustworthiness and Ethical Practice
Given the trust-based approach to philanthropy, ethical and transparent practices are non-negotiable.
What this means:
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You treat community members as equal partners
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You operate with financial transparency
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You uphold accountability without overburdening your staff or stakeholders
📄 Beyond the Application: How Relationships Matter
The Mariam Assefa Fund often discovers partners through networks, referrals, and shared learning spaces. This means:
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You may be invited to apply even outside open calls
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Collaborative relationships and consistent engagement with immigrant justice spaces can open doors
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Shared values often speak louder than polished applications
In short, how you show up in your work is just as important as how you present your work on paper.
📋 Preparing Your Organization for Selection
If you aspire to become a grantee partner, here are concrete steps you can take to position yourself:
1. Document Your Impact and Story
Use both data and narrative to show how your organization is solving problems for immigrant and refugee communities.
2. Elevate Community Voice
Ensure that immigrant/refugee stakeholders are visible in your leadership, programming, and storytelling.
3. Invest in Relationships
Attend convenings, webinars, and gatherings related to immigrant inclusion, labor equity, or systems change.
4. Be Transparent About Challenges
Funders increasingly appreciate honesty about failures, setbacks, and lessons learned. Don’t be afraid to share what didn’t work—and what you learned.
5. Be Evaluation-Ready, But Not Evaluation-Burdened
The Fund prefers learning over surveillance. Show how you measure impact without relying solely on metrics.
🧩 Where FACTS Transcripts Fits In
Many organizations seeking funding from the Mariam Assefa Fund are involved in:
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Credential recognition
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Workforce integration of internationally educated professionals
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Advocacy for fair evaluation of foreign degrees
In such cases, FACTS Transcripts becomes a powerful operational ally. FACTS can:
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Collect and verify academic transcripts
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Help program participants prepare documentation for credential evaluators
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Provide support for large-scale or regional initiatives focused on immigrant workforce pathways
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Offer real-life data and case stories that enrich your grant applications
If you’re proposing a project that involves foreign qualification access or education-to-employment pipelines, working with FACTS Transcripts strengthens both your delivery capacity and your funding readiness.
📝 Final Thoughts: Equity First, Partnership Always
Becoming a grantee partner with the Mariam Assefa Fund is not about jumping through bureaucratic hoops. It’s about standing in alignment with a deeper mission—one that seeks to build an economy where immigrants and refugees can thrive without limitations.
If your organization:
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Centers immigrant leadership
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Works to change systems, not just serve needs
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Embraces equity, learning, and collaboration
…then you’re already well on your way to becoming a strong partner in this powerful movement.
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