CIRI

What CIRI does

The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1918 and headquartered in Bridgeport, Connecticut. CIRI delivers legal, economic, linguistic, and social services to refugees, immigrants, survivors of human trafficking, and unaccompanied children across Connecticut through five office locations (Bridgeport, Stamford, Hartford, Waterbury, and New Haven) and a management team of more than 40 staff. In 2025 the organization served 5,003 clients, including 3,186 through Immigration Legal Services and 209 survivors of trafficking through Project Rescue. CIRI is the only statewide nonprofit recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice to primarily serve lower-income immigrants, and the only Connecticut organization offering comprehensive wrap-around services to all survivors of human trafficking. Core programs include Refugee Resettlement, Immigration Legal Services, Project Rescue (anti-trafficking), Economic Empowerment, Youth & Family Services, and Health Services, supplemented by specialized initiatives such as the Summer English Academy and Know Your Rights programming.

CIRI's revenue model is grant- and donation-based rather than commercial: the organization receives federal funding through the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), implements the federal Matching Grant program via its USCRI affiliation, and supplements this with foundation grants (e.g., $22,500 from Fairfield County's Community Foundation), corporate partnerships, and individual donations. In 2025, Governor Lamont's administration approved $2.8 million in state funding to backfill federal cuts, and CIRI is in the middle of a five-year, $14 million Together We Thrive capital campaign (with $3.5 million raised to date) that will consolidate services in a newly acquired Bridgeport headquarters that doubled its operational space. There is no proprietary technology platform; delivery occurs through in-person service, remote translation and ELL support, and partner referrals.

The organization is led by President & CEO Susan Schnitzer, with COO/CFO Jessica Campbell, Chief Program Officer Deo Byakisaka, and Chief Legal Program Officer Caroline Sennett rounding out the C-suite. CIRI is governed by a board chaired by Robert Smith and operates as an independent nonprofit with no parent company.

Name

CIRI

Legal name

The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, Inc.

Website

https://cirict.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) is a Bridgeport-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides legal, economic, linguistic, and social services to refugees, immigrants, survivors of human trafficking, and unaccompanied children across five Connecticut offices, serving over 5,000 clients annually since 1918.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigration and Refugee Social Services

NAICS

Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK)

Keywords

• Immigration legal services
• Refugee resettlement support
• Human trafficking services
• Workforce development programs
• Community nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bridgeport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Federal funding through the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), and other government programs. CIRI is affiliated with US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) and implements federal Matching Grant program.
2. Foundation Grants & Corporate Partnerships: Funding from private foundations and corporate partnerships. CIRI has received grants from organizations like Fairfield County's Community Foundation ($22,500 for housing project for human trafficking survivors).
3. Individual Donations: Individual donations through the Together We Thrive campaign and general fundraising. The organization conducts annual fundraising events and accepts planned gifts.
4. Together We Thrive Campaign: Capital campaign targeting $14 million over five years to expand services and create a community hub. Campaign has raised $3.5 million of the $14 million goal.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CIRI provides legal, economic, linguistic, and social services to immigrants, refugees, survivors of human trafficking, and unaccompanied children throughout Connecticut. Core offerings include refugee resettlement support (housing setup, ESL, employment authorization, case management up to five years), affordable immigration legal representation, the Project Rescue anti-human trafficking program, workforce readiness and job placement, youth and family services, and health services navigation, all delivered across five statewide offices.

Product overview

CIRI offers a coordinated suite of social and legal services for refugees, immigrants, survivors of human trafficking, and unaccompanied children across Connecticut. The core offerings include Refugee Services (resettlement support), Immigration Legal Services (legal representation), Project Rescue (anti-human trafficking), Economic Empowerment (workforce development), Youth & Family Services, Health Services, and Know Your Rights resources. These services are delivered through five office locations (Bridgeport, Stamford, Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven) and include specialized programs like the Summer English Academy and the Together We Thrive capital campaign for facility expansion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Refugee Services Comprehensive resettlement support for refugees arriving in Connecticut, including apartment setup, community orientation, Social Security and employment authorization assistance, school enrollment, medical screenings, immunizations, ESL classes, workforce readiness, job placement, and intensive case management for complex needs. Support continues for up to five years after arrival in the U.S.
• Immigration Legal Services Affordable immigration legal assistance provided by attorneys and DOJ Accredited Legal Representatives across offices in Bridgeport, Stamford, Waterbury, Hartford, and New Haven. Handles family-based petitions, adjustment of status, consular processing, asylum applications, naturalization and citizenship, U-visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), DACA, document renewals, and removal defense.
• Project Rescue (Anti-Human Trafficking Program) Comprehensive wrap-around case management, advocacy, immigration legal aid, and referrals for adult survivors of human trafficking and unaccompanied children. Services include referrals to public benefits, therapy, safe housing, medical care, employment services, and statewide training for service providers and law enforcement on victim identification and public awareness.
• Economic Empowerment Program Workforce readiness and job placement services for refugees and immigrants, including Job Club curriculum, individual job developer support, employer partnerships, financial literacy education, and the New Americans Microloan Program. Implemented alongside the federal Matching Grant program targeting self-sufficiency within 120 days.
• Youth & Family Services Educational support, mentorship, enrichment programs, and family engagement for refugee and immigrant children. Includes programs such as Summer Academy and Explorers Club, plus social-emotional learning, peer mentoring, Girls' Club, and Refugee Summer Academy programming.
• Health Services Connects refugees and immigrants to medical care, wellness education, and mental health support, helping families navigate unfamiliar healthcare systems and access appropriate providers.
• Know Your Rights Resources and training that equip individuals with knowledge to understand their rights and confidently navigate challenging situations, including Family Preparedness Plans.
• Summer English Academy Summer enrichment program spanning four Connecticut locations serving over 215 youth from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, with focus on English Language Learning, social-emotional learning, science, art, and cultural exchange.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,003 clients served in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Connecticut State GovernmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2025Governor Lamont approved $2.8 million for groups targeted by Trump administration funding cuts. This state funding supports organizations like CIRI that serve immigrants and refugees facing uncertainty due to federal policy changes.
• Bridgeport Rescue MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2021Partnership to provide local housing for Afghan refugees arriving in Connecticut. As Afghan refugees began arriving in significant numbers, this partnership helped find local housing solutions for newly resettled refugees.
• Hispanic FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2021CIRI joined a newly launched national legal aid coalition led by Hispanic Federation. The coalition works to provide comprehensive legal aid and support services to immigrant communities across the country.
• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRI is affiliated with USCRI, one of nine national agencies that administer the refugee resettlement program nationally. CIRI receives and resettles refugees through this affiliation. Also implements the federal Matching Grant program in partnership with USCRI, funded through the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
• Heartland Human Care ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRI's Unaccompanied Children Program receives referrals exclusively through Heartland Human Care Services, which is funded through the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Heartland coordinates the national Unaccompanied Children program and refers children to local service providers like CIRI.
• Governor Ned LamontflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernor Lamont was honored with the Strength in Leadership Award at CIRI's 2025 Annual Soirée. His advocacy for immigration and refugee rights has been both expansive and cognizant of the importance of diversity in strengthening Connecticut communities. His administration approved $2.8 million for groups targeted by federal funding changes.
• Senator Richard BlumenthalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenator Blumenthal attended and delivered inspiring remarks at CIRI's 2025 Annual Soirée, reflecting the evening's theme of resilience and unity. He has been an advocate for immigration and refugee rights at the federal level.
• Blossom Hill FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting CIRI's Summer Academy program. In partnership with Blossom Hill Foundation, students explored how science and creativity can come together to inspire discovery and innovation through hands-on experiments and activities.
• Local Schools, Universities, and Community OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local educational institutions and community organizations support CIRI's Summer Academy program, providing venues, resources, and collaborative opportunities for youth from immigrant and refugee backgrounds.
• U.S. Attorney's Office and Law EnforcementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Rescue was established in 2006 in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney's Office and law enforcement to serve trafficking victims through comprehensive case management, advocacy, immigration legal aid, and referrals to community service providers.
• State Government and Partner AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Connecticut state government and partner agencies allows Project Rescue to help survivors access public benefits, therapy, safe housing, and medical care. CIRI also provides statewide training to service providers and law enforcement on victim identification and public awareness of human trafficking.
• Connecticut Community Nonprofit AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRI participates in Nonprofit Alliance Day at the Capitol, hosted by The CT Community Nonprofit Alliance. This event connects nonprofits with policymakers, other organizations, and the public to share vital work and advocate for community needs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): USCRI is CIRI's direct national affiliate and one of nine national refugee resettlement agencies. It administers the federal Matching Grant program that CIRI implements locally, making USCRI the closest structural peer and primary upstream partner.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): IRC is one of the nine national refugee resettlement agencies, operating resettlement, immigration legal, and economic empowerment programs similar to CIRI's service mix. IRC's national footprint provides a benchmark for CIRI's programmatic model and scaling trajectory.
• HIAS: HIAS is a Jewish-American refugee resettlement agency operating one of the nine national programs alongside USCRI. It provides refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and integration support comparable to CIRI's offerings, and serves as another reference point for the CCRC/agency model.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS): LIRS is one of the nine national refugee resettlement agencies and a direct functional peer. It operates unaccompanied children's programs, refugee resettlement, and immigration legal services closely mirroring CIRI's service portfolio.
• Heartland Human Care Services: Heartland Human Care Services is the ORR-funded national coordinator for the Unaccompanied Children program that refers children to CIRI. It is a direct upstream peer in the unaccompanied children services value chain.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities operates a national network of refugee and immigration legal services through local affiliates (including Catholic Charities of Hartford in CIRI's home market). It is a broader incumbent with overlapping refugee resettlement and legal aid capabilities across many states.

Regional players

• Hispanic Federation: Hispanic Federation leads a national legal aid coalition that CIRI joined in 2021 to provide immigration legal aid. While primarily East Coast-focused, it is a peer in the immigrant-serving nonprofit space with overlapping legal aid and advocacy capabilities.
• Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV): CCADV is the statewide coalition that awarded CIRI the 2026 Bostrom Pillars of Change Award. It is a regional peer in Connecticut's survivor-services ecosystem, with overlapping case management and advocacy missions for vulnerable populations.
• Jewish Family Services of Greenwich: Jewish Family Services of Greenwich is a Connecticut-based provider of refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and social services. It is a regional peer with overlapping offerings in the same geography as CIRI.

Emerging players

• AsylumConnect: AsylumConnect is a nonprofit tech-enabled platform connecting LGBTQ+ asylum seekers to legal and social services nationally. It represents an emerging digital-first approach to immigrant services that complements but does not directly compete with CIRI's in-person, place-based service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CIRI.CT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ciri.ct
• Instagraminstagram.com/ciri.ct
• Xx.com/cirict

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CIRI