Efforts to Provide Economic Opportunity to Immigrants and Refugees in Rural Communities
“One in five Americans live in rural areas, but only 6% of foundation grants target rural communities,” says Karla Gregorio, senior program manager, U.S., WES Mariam Assefa Fund. “Immigrants and people of color comprise nearly a quarter of rural populations. So, it is an area of high potential, high need, but low investment.”
“Rural communities have been historically left out of big national reform efforts, in part because of the interest that most funders have in working at scale,” says Keith Witham, director of education grantmaking, Ascendium Education Group.
Jobs for the Future (JFF) recently announced a two-year initiative that will provide funding to 10 rural-serving organizations to provide education and workforce training to immigrants, refugees, and migrants.
The initiative – Rural Immigrant Success Exchange (RISE) – is in partnership with WES Mariam Assefa Fund and Ascendium Education Group. Each of the 10 selected organizations will receive $150,000 over two years with grantees being announced at the beginning of 2023.
