8/8/2019 Fundraising for Immigrant Integration - NIIC 2010

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/fundraising-for-immigrant-integration-niic-2010 1/2

 

Supported by the

2010 National Immigrant Integration Conference - Strategy SessionsFundraising Initiatives for Immigrant Integration:

Funders’ PerspectivesOct. 1, 2010

This seminar focused on the Immigrant Integration initiatives of foundations; it provided an insideview of funders’ concerns and priorities.

Moving forward, integration efforts are being funded through coalitions and interfaith organizationsmore and more. Foundations are more likely to invest in a network of organizations as opposed to one.This strategy optimizes the chances of a successful program. By supporting coalitions, advocacy, andorganizing, there is a greater opportunity to build bridges between different segments of the community.Collaborative efforts are able to cut across demographic lines, and engage larger groups to spur greaterchange. Focusing on coalitions allows for small organizations to join their efforts together into a strongerforce, and lessens duplication of small-scale efforts. Foundations have also become increasingly interested

in state coalitions because it is difficult to push for change at the national level. National foundationsespecially are interested in broader policy change, not geographically-focused service organizations.Funders also have an interest in changing the public’s views on integration. By making integration apositive, community experience, we can set the stage for larger change. The E Pluribus Unum Prizes are agreat example of this type of effort. This is a collaborative effort between the JM Kaplan Fund and theMigration Policy Institute that awards outstanding integration initiatives. This type of program not onlyrewards great integration programs, but also positively publicizes immigrant integration.

Looking forward, funders want to see more knowledge sharing between organizations. This willallow for a more efficient, cohesive, and cooperative effort in support of integration. There is also a desireto see the immigration reform movement and integration efforts take ideas from other social movements

and incorporate these successful strategies. Integration advocates can also ally ourselves with other socialchange movements with common concerns. For example, they can partner with advocates for betterschools, workers’ rights, adult education, and so forth. This in itself is an act of integration. This willchange the perspective from immigrants v. native-born to immigrants, parents, and concerned communitymembers v. policies.

There are many different reasons funders are interested in immigrant integration. Of course, thereare dedicated foundations that have an interest in immigrant rights, human rights, and so forth. Economicinclusion of immigrants however, cannot be underestimated as a motivating factor. Corporate foundations,Western Union for example, are interested in empowering their consumers economically, and thereforehave a strategic interest in furthering immigrant integration. Businesses can also support integration

through providing services to workers and the community, such as ESL programs and Family Scholarships.These efforts strengthen workers skills and communities. The bottom line for these corporate funders isthat immigrants are an important source of economic growth in this country, and it is in their best interestto support integration and tap into this market.

How exactly foundations make decisions can often be unclear. A decision-maker at the foundationhas personal interests, but is largely swayed by the interests of the board. Personal relationships are alsovital in securing funding. Foundations may strategically select grantees and work with them to determine

8/8/2019 Fundraising for Immigrant Integration - NIIC 2010

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/fundraising-for-immigrant-integration-niic-2010 2/2

 

Supported by the

the gaps in integration initiatives and what areas to focus on, rather than take unsolicited proposals. Oneexample of a gap in integration practices is professional re-credentialing. This is an important issue that has

not yet coalesced into a field. A small investment in this area may make a large difference in integratingimmigrants more fully economically and socially.

The recession has also made a difference for funders. Though their endowments may still be high,some have lost significant amounts. Carnegie for example, lost 1 billion out of 3 billion dollars in theirendowment. While this is still an extraordinary amount, they have had to scale back funding to keep theirprogramming on track. What this all means is that funders want to get the best results for the least amountof investment. This does not necessitate weaker programs; instead we can see this as an opportunity to usecreative solutions for social injustice issues. That being said, it is very dangerous for an organization to beentirely dependent on grants, especially in this economic climate. In the nonprofit world, individualsponsorships support 80% of programs, while foundations and corporations each account for 10%. A

varied approach to development is necessary to ensure an organization’s survival.

As anti-immigrant sentiment grows across the nation, integration meets steeper challenges. Manyimmigrants are undocumented or part of a mixed-status household. It is of course difficult to integratethese immigrants into American society when they cannot drive a car, find living wages, and find educationfunding. The main challenge to integration lies in Federal and State policies. There must be a commitmentto social change, strategic communications, and building capacity in the field.