UNFCU Foundation Awards $795K to 21 Partners Serving Migrants and Refugees
March 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Jared Klein
The UNFCU Foundation has awarded $795,000 to 21 nonprofit and NGO partners working to build pathways out of poverty for marginalized women and youth — with this year's grants specifically targeting programs that serve migrants and refugees across six countries.
Now in its 11th year of grantmaking, the foundation focused its 2026 cycle on organizations expanding access to skills-based training, quality education, and critical healthcare for displaced populations.
Where the Funding Goes
The 21 grant partners span the United States, Africa, and other regions where migration and displacement have created acute service gaps. Named recipients include Konexio Africa, which provides digital skills training to refugees; the International Rescue Committee, which will expand job readiness training, financial literacy workshops, and credit-building services for refugee women; and Emma's Torch, a culinary training program that places graduates in hospitality careers.
Healthcare providers also feature prominently. The Floating Hospital will use its grant to deliver behavioral health services for women and children in New York City. Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center will expand integrated medical, reproductive, and mental health services for youth.
A Model for Targeted Foundation Giving
The UNFCU Foundation's approach — selecting a specific thematic focus each year and distributing relatively modest grants to proven organizations — illustrates a trend gaining traction in institutional philanthropy. Rather than spreading funding across broad program areas, foundations are increasingly concentrating on populations where need is most acute and where small grants can achieve outsized impact through direct services.
The IRC's executive director noted that the foundation's commitment to refugee women's economic success would allow the organization to expand its reach at a time when public funding for resettlement services faces growing uncertainty.
What Refugee-Serving Organizations Should Know
Organizations working with migrant and refugee populations should review the UNFCU Foundation's grant criteria for future cycles. The foundation prioritizes programs with measurable outcomes in workforce development, education access, and healthcare delivery. Applications typically open in the fall.
More foundation funding opportunities for refugee and immigrant services are tracked on the Granted blog.