Grants to Fund Programs that Provide Services to Refugees, Asylees and Asylum Seekers
San Diego CA—The San Diego Women’s Foundation (SDWF) has announced the availability of grant funding for nonprofit programs that benefit refugees, asylees and asylum seekers. The 20th annual grants cycle aims to support organizations providing basic needs and transition services to individuals currently in San Diego County with refugee, asylum seeker or asylee status.
SDWF members selected this focus area after extensive research into community needs and a survey of the 220 SDWF members.
San Diego has resettled nearly 30,000 refugees from dozens of countries, according to the International Rescue Committee, which has received grant funding from SDWF in past grant cycles. Twenty to 100 asylum seekers are processed every day in San Diego County, according to recent reporting by Voice of San Diego.
“Refugees and asylum seekers have fled violence and persecution, and they face complex challenges as they acclimate to our community,” says SDWF Executive Director Katie Sawyer. “San Diego has a long history of proudly and warmly welcoming refugees and migrants in need of a safe place to land. Our local nonprofits are doing critical, life-saving work to ensure that these members of our community are safe and thriving. We are proud to support their work, and these individuals and families, with our grant funding in our 20th year of philanthropy.”
To be considered, eligible nonprofit organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry by September 9, 2019, for projects that work across various fields to provide services that bridge the gap between a refugee, asylum seeker or asylee’s arrival to the United States, and a point of self-sufficiency and stability. Services can include but are not limited to:
- Legal assistance
- Case management
- Basic needs (housing, food assistance, transportation, etc.)
- Health services (behavioral health, trauma care, therapy, counseling, etc.)
- Job assistance and training (including entrepreneurship)
- Education (including courses on parenting, ESL, financial literacy, etc.)
- Translation services and forms assistance
- Tax assistance
SDWF anticipates providing at least $250,000 in funding with this grants cycle. For more information about the SDWF’s current grants cycle, or to apply for a grant, please visit https://www.sdwomensfoundation.org.