Immigrant Welcome Center

What Immigrant Welcome Center does

The Immigrant Welcome Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2017 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, serving immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the state. The organization delivers a portfolio of integration and economic-mobility programs, including English-language instruction (iEnglish), a Business Hub for immigrant entrepreneurs, the Women Lead leadership initiative (backed by a $619,000 federal appropriation), community integration services, the New Mainers on Stage storytelling program, and the Welcoming Voices Podcast. Its operating model is grant-funded: revenue is assembled from federal appropriations channeled through congressional earmarks, state and regional foundations (Maine Justice Foundation, Portland Foundation), and corporate donations from regional banks and institutions.

The center employs 11-50 staff and operates within a multi-stakeholder ecosystem that includes federal partners (U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree's office), regional financial institutions (Androscoggin Bank, Town & Country FCU), healthcare systems (MaineHealth), workforce and resettlement providers (Fedcap, JCA), and cultural institutions (Portland Museum of Art). Its technology footprint is light — standard digital communications, a podcast distribution channel, and basic programmatic web presence — with no proprietary platform, AI-driven service delivery, or data infrastructure evident in the input. The organization completed a leadership transition in 2023-2024, with Reza Jalali resigning in October 2023 and Faisal Khan appointed executive director in April 2024.

Name

Immigrant Welcome Center

Legal name

Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center

Website

https://welcomeimmigrant.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Immigrant Welcome Center, founded in 2017 in Portland, Maine, is a non-profit providing English instruction, business support, women's leadership programs, and community integration services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigrant and refugee community integration services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Community Housing Services (62422), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Workplace & Career Integration for Immigrants (Credentialing, Job Readiness) (EDAAADAE)

Keywords

• English language education
• Immigrant integration services
• Refugee resettlement support
• Newcomer workforce development
• Community-based nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Federal government grants: Direct federal appropriations secured with the support of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, including a $619,000 annual federal appropriations grant awarded in late 2022 to launch and operate the Women Lead entrepreneurial leadership program for immigrant women. Used for staff hiring and program operations.
2. Foundation grants: Grants from private and community foundations including the Maine Justice Foundation (grant awarded August 2022) and the Portland Foundation (which provided $1.5M across Maine nonprofits, June 2023), plus support from the Morton Kelly Charitable Trust and the Onion Foundation for African Summer concert programming.
3. Corporate and bank donations / sponsorships: Corporate and financial-institution contributions such as a $1,000 donation from Norway Savings Bank (December 2024), a $1,000 contribution on behalf of House of Languages from Town & Country FCU (February 2023), and ongoing underwriting from USL to Portland, Rising Tide Brewery, Portland Food Co-Op, and The Locker Project for Soccer Saturday and other programming.
4. Small Business Administration / SBA program funding: Program funding awarded via the U.S. Small Business Administration (secured with support of Rep. Chellie Pingree) supporting the Women Lead entrepreneurship program and broader Business Hub immigrant-business support services.
5. Individual donor contributions: Direct individual donor giving solicited through monthly and quarterly newsletters distributed via Constant Contact, plus a public donate page on welcomeimmigrant.org and recurring fundraising appeals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center (IWC) is a community-services non-profit that delivers an integrated newcomer-support platform combining English-language education (iEnglish), immigrant business support (Business Hub with $4K microgrants and zero-interest loans), an entrepreneurial leadership institute for immigrant women (Women Lead), and a community integration initiative covering citizenship navigation, civic engagement, and voter education. Programs are delivered free of charge at the IWC headquarters in Portland, Maine, at off-site partner locations, and through community-navigator outreach to recent immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Product overview

Immigrant Welcome Center (also known as the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, or GPIWC/IWC) is a community-services non-profit located at 24 Preble St., 3rd Floor, Portland, ME 04101, rather than a software vendor. Its "product" is a portfolio of four flagship community-integration programs delivered through a single integrated service model: iEnglish Project (English-language education via the EnGen platform), Business Hub (immigrant business support including mentorship, microgrants, and SBA partnerships), Women Lead (entrepreneurial leadership institute for immigrant women), and the Community Integration Initiative (citizenship, civic engagement, and voter education). Layered on top are recurring community programs including New Mainers On Stage (monthly concert series), Soccer Saturday/Sunday events, Chai Hour (elderly-immigrant gathering space), Cooking Matters (SNAP-ed nutrition classes), the Africa to Maine Photo Exhibition, and the Welcoming Voices podcast. Together these form a unified newcomer-support platform combining language, economic, civic, and cultural integration services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iEnglish Project: English language acquisition and digital literacy program for new immigrants
• Community Integration Initiative
• Business Hub
• Women Lead
• New Mainers on Stage
• Welcoming Voices

Products and services

• iEnglish Project English language acquisition program that simultaneously addresses language learning, digital literacy, and economic integration for new immigrants. Delivered via the EnGen platform at IWC's in-office language lab and through free in-person and hybrid classes hosted at multiple community partner sites.
• Business Hub Immigrant-business support program providing mentorship, referrals for funding, business-plan workshops, and access to zero-interest/zero-fee loans and grants. Operates in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE, and Infinity Federal Credit Union, and offers $4,000 microgrants for immigrant-owned businesses.
• Women Lead Entrepreneurial leadership institute for immigrant women offering mentorships, educational programming, English classes, and assistance with marketing and finance. Includes a 9-week Job Readiness course, certificate and gift cards for professional attire, and forgivable-loan support for women starting businesses. Capacity to serve 25-45 women per cohort, funded by a $619,000 federal grant.
• Community Integration Initiative Program supporting immigrants as they become citizens, navigate society, and build a sense of belonging in their communities. Includes Citizenship & Civic Engagement, voter registration and education campaigns, Civic Events with the League of Women Voters of Maine and Maine Votes, and Community Navigator outreach.
• New Mainers On Stage Monthly free concert series held on the first Friday of each month, aligned with Creative Portland's First Friday Art Walk, showcasing musical talent from New Mainer communities. Performances held at venues such as Congress Square Park, Monument Square, and the Portland Museum of Art. Includes themed series like African Summer 2024.
• Welcoming Voices Podcast IWC's first podcast, hosted by resident storyteller Santiago Tijerina. Season one spotlights IWC's four core programs (iEnglish, Community Integration, Business Hub, Women Lead) with planned coverage of local/national immigration policy, community achievements, and immigrant stories.
• Chai Hour Community-gathering space dedicated to welcoming Maine's elderly immigrants. Open Monday-Thursday 12:00pm-5:00pm at the Welcome Center. Provides a warm, regular place for elderly New Mainers to connect and reduce social isolation.
• Africa to Maine Photo Exhibition Photo exhibition co-organized with the Portland Museum of Art and the Todd Webb Archive at the Portland Public Library, featuring images curated by African-heritage Mainers. Companion community conversations held on May 5 and June 2, 2023. Sponsored by Town & Country Credit Union.
• Cooking Matters Weekly nutrition/cooking class in partnership with Maine SNAP-Ed, taught by Jane Winarta. Combines hands-on cooking of healthy dishes with nutritional information, grocery tours, shopping tips, and English vocabulary. Offered free every Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Welcome Center, 24 Preble Street, fourth floor.
• Soccer Saturday / Soccer Sunday Recurring free community soccer events held in Portland's Kennedy Park, providing free cleats for children, soccer balls, and healthy snacks. Co-hosted with USL to Portland and partners including The Locker Project, Portland Food Co-Op, Wayside Food Pantry, and Rising Tide Brewery. Aims to bring New Mainers together across cultures through soccer.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~$619,000 federal grant awarded for the Women Lead program
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Northern Light Mercy HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Hosts free IWC iEnglish classes for its employees and the immigrant community at its Portland facility (referenced May 2023).
• Goodwill (Northern New England)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Hosts free IWC iEnglish classes (referenced May 2023).
• Avesta HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Hosts free IWC iEnglish classes (referenced May 2023).
• House of LanguagescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Portland-based interpreting and document translation firm providing services in Lingala, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Swahili, Somali, Portuguese, Arabic, and many other languages; partnered with Town & Country FCU (which donated $1,000 to IWC on its behalf) and received the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2022 Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year Award for Maine.
• Maine Secretary of State's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Co-hosted a Day of Democracy voter resource fair with IWC for new Mainers on October 20, 2022, at the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was scheduled to speak.
• FedcapcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Partnered with IWC for the inaugural cohort of 25 Fedcap learners as part of the IWC's iEnglish Project. Free iEnglish classes continue to be hosted at Fedcap sites (May 2023).
• MaineHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaineHealth started a group of its employees learning English through the IWC's iEnglish Project in early October 2021.
• Khmer MaineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKhmer Maine works specifically with Cambodian immigrants; partnered with IWC to support first-time Cambodian-American voters (e.g., Sokoun 'Sok' Ou and her daughter Theavy) in the 2022 midterm elections.
• Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine (JCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted the first-ever Breaking Bread Shabbat/Ramadan dinner (April 14, 2023) with about 150 attendees; JCA hosted the IWC Day of Democracy voter fair (October 2022); JCA is the international affiliate of HIAS, which resettled 102 refugees in 2022.
• Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine (JCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-running partnership serving those displaced by wars, conflicts, and violence. Co-hosted the first public Shabbat and Ramadan dinner in Maine state history on April 14, 2023. JCA executive director Molly Curren Rowles is a regular collaborator.
• Portland Public LibraryflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the companion 'Africa to Maine' photo exhibition with IWC and the Portland Museum of Art; the library exhibition features photographs curated by Mainer immigrants from African countries. On view through June 18, 2023.
• Portland Museum of ArtflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presented the Todd Webb in Africa exhibition ('Outside the Frame') alongside the Todd Webb Archive and Minneapolis Institute of Art, with companion 'Africa to Maine' show co-organized with IWC at the Portland Public Library. On view at the Portland Museum of Art until June 18, 2023.
• Todd Webb ArchivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presented the Todd Webb in Africa ('Outside the Frame') exhibition at the Portland Museum of Art, March–June 2023.
• Minneapolis Institute of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presented the Todd Webb in Africa exhibition alongside the Portland Museum of Art and Todd Webb Archive.
• USL to PortlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner with IWC to host Soccer Saturday in Kennedy Park, providing free soccer balls and community-building activities for New Mainers. Founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson also co-sponsored World Cup watch parties with IWC and Downtown Portland.
• Rising Tide BrewerycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosted the IWC-sponsored World Cup U.S.-Iran watch party (November 29, 2022); also supported Soccer Sunday events.
• The Locker ProjectcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided free healthy snacks and food at Soccer Saturday events and other IWC community gatherings.
• Portland Food Co-OpcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided free healthy snacks and drinks at IWC Soccer Saturday and New Mainers on Stage events.
• Friends of Congress Square ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts New Mainers on Stage free concert series during First Friday Art Walks in Congress Square Park (referenced May 2023).
• League of Women Voters of MainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted IWC Civics Event on March 21, 2024, aimed at fostering civic engagement within the Portland community, alongside Community Organizing Alliance and Maine Votes / Maine Voices Network.
• Community Organizing AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted IWC Civics Event on March 21, 2024, with League of Women Voters of Maine and Maine Votes / Maine Voices Network.
• Maine Votes / Maine Voices NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted IWC Civics Event on March 21, 2024, with League of Women Voters of Maine and Community Organizing Alliance.
• Maine SNAP-EdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the weekly 'Cooking Matters' class at the Welcome Center (24 Preble Street, fourth floor), combining nutrition information, grocery tours, shopping tips, and English vocabulary practice.
• In Her PresencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with IWC and South Portland Adult Ed to offer free in-person English classes at the Congregation Bet Ha'am in South Portland and other sites near asylum-seeker housing.
• South Portland Adult EdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with IWC and In Her Presence to offer free in-person English classes at sites convenient for asylum-seeker populations.
• Congregation Bet Ha'amcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts free in-person English classes organized by IWC, In Her Presence, and South Portland Adult Ed; classes are in close proximity to the hotels where many asylum seekers from DRC, Angola and Haiti live.
• EnGencoreTechnology or IntegrationPowers the IWC language lab at the Welcome Center for digital English-language acquisition; learners can walk in and sign up for iEnglish via the EnGen platform.
• U.S. Small Business Administration / SCOREflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-time partnership with the Small Business Administration, SCORE, and Infinity Federal Credit Union to help immigrants start new businesses as part of IWC's Business Hub (October 2021).
• Good Shepherd Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported IWC's new Food Security and Healthy Diet Project, nearing implementation in April 2022.
• HIAS (via Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCA is an international affiliate of HIAS; HIAS resettled 102 refugees in 2022 from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and other countries and oversees the Welcome Corps sponsor vetting, certification, and training.
• U.S. Department of State / Welcome CorpsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched the Welcome Corps (January 19, 2023) to enlist 10,000 Americans to assist 5,000 refugees; Reza Jalali publicly endorsed the program as 'positive and forward-thinking.'
• Westbrook World MarketsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIWC teamed up with other groups to support Westbrook World Markets, covered by WMTW (January 11, 2025).
• Maine Immigrants' Rights CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllied coalition led by Executive Director Mufalo Chitam; IWC works in tandem on advocacy and policy responses (e.g., Maine Green Card rule change, Welcome Corps program).
• Maine State Government (Gov. Janet Mills, AG Aaron Frey, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerState dignitaries attended and spoke at IWC-co-hosted events including the first Breaking Bread Shabbat/Ramadan dinner (April 14, 2023) and the Day of Democracy voter fair (October 2022).

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities Maine: Statewide Maine affiliate of Catholic Charities USA providing refugee resettlement, English-language classes, immigration legal services, and case management to New Mainers — directly comparable to IWC in mission, geography, and service mix.
• Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC): Maine-based advocacy coalition led by Executive Director Mufalo Chitam that works in tandem with IWC on immigrant policy and rights. Directly comparable as a Maine-focused immigrant-serving organization with overlapping civic engagement and advocacy functions.
• In Her Presence: Portland-based nonprofit serving immigrant women through language acquisition and integration programming; co-hosts free English classes with IWC at Congregation Bet Ha'am and South Portland Adult Ed. Highly comparable in target population and service model.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): One of the largest U.S. refugee resettlement and integration agencies, operating across multiple states with resettlement, employment, English-language, and small-business support programs. Comparable as a scaled incumbent in the same newcomer-services category.
• HIAS: International Jewish refugee resettlement agency that resettled 102 refugees in 2022; connected to IWC through the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine (a HIAS affiliate). Comparable in resettlement, welcome, and integration services but operates at substantially larger scale and geographic breadth.
• USCRI (U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants): National refugee resettlement and advocacy organization with English-language, employment, and integration programming. Comparable in mission and service mix; operates as a larger incumbent with federal contracts across multiple states.

Emerging players

• Ethiopian Development Council: Silver Spring, MD-based nonprofit serving Ethiopian and African immigrant communities with cultural, economic, and integration programming. Comparable as a community-credible ethnic-community-led integration nonprofit, though focused on a specific diaspora.
• Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA): Seattle-based nonprofit serving refugee and immigrant women with ESL, job-readiness, microbusiness, and civic engagement programming. Highly comparable to IWC's Women Lead institute in target population (immigrant women) and integrated service model.

Regional players

• Khmer Maine: Community-based organization serving Cambodian immigrants in Maine; partnered with IWC on voter registration and civic engagement. Comparable as a Maine-based ethnic-community integration nonprofit with overlapping civic-engagement mission.

Others

• Welcoming America: National nonprofit that supports a network of municipal and nonprofit immigrant-welcoming initiatives across the U.S. IWC is implicitly part of this ecosystem and is referenced alongside Welcome Corps. Comparable as an ecosystem convener and capacity-builder rather than a direct service peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GPIWCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/welcomeimmigrant
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-greater-portland-immigrant-welcome-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Immigrant Welcome Center