The Spero Project

What The Spero Project does

The Spero Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Its mission is to welcome resettled refugees by connecting them to people, resources, and learning opportunities that make Oklahoma a place of belonging. Core programs include Adult Education Classes and Tutoring (English language, citizenship preparation, driving instruction), an After School Student Support Program, the Adult Education Scholarship Fund, an Internship Program, the 6th Street Experience (an immersive walk-through exhibit on three immigration processes), the annual Walk for Welcome, a Letter Writing Advocacy Campaign, and a Town Hall Hosting Program. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is in-person and community-based. All programs are provided free of charge to beneficiaries.

Revenue is generated through individual donations (via the Kindful online portal) and grants. Historically the organization received federal funding for refugee resettlement, but in 2025 that funding was lost, resulting in significant budget cuts; the 2025 Year In Review describes the year as 'the most challenging year in Spero's lifetime,' coinciding with the January 2025 indefinite halt of refugee resettlement to the United States. Leadership includes Brad Bandy as Co-Founder and Executive Director of Community Development. Operations are confined to Oklahoma City with no identified parent company, institutional investment, or public listing.

Name

The Spero Project

Legal name

The Spero Project

Website

https://thesperoproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Spero Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Oklahoma City that supports resettled refugees through free adult education classes, after-school student programs, scholarships, advocacy campaigns, and community welcome events. Founded in 2009, it serves refugees and the broader OKC community through in-person programming and volunteer engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Resettlement and Immigrant Integration Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Immigrant & Refugee Community Education (Integration/Navigation) (EDAAAFAH), Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAG), Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Adult English language classes
• After-school student support
• Refugee education scholarships
• Immigration community advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Spero Project accepts donations from individuals through their Kindful donation portal. Donors can direct funds to specific programs including the Adult Education Scholarship Fund.
2. Federal/Government Funding: Historically, the organization received federal funding for refugee resettlement programs. As of 2025, they have experienced significant budget cuts due to loss of federal funding, though they continue operating with community support.
3. Inas much Community Fellowship (Intern Compensation): The Inas much Community Fellowship provides compensation for summer interns. This is paid directly by Inas much Foundation to fellows, not by Spero.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Spero Project is a nonprofit organization that welcomes resettled refugees in Oklahoma City by connecting them to people, resources, and learning opportunities. It delivers free adult English language classes, citizenship and driving instruction, after-school and summer student support, trauma-informed therapy referrals, educational scholarships, and community advocacy programs such as a letter-writing campaign, a Town Hall hosting program, an immersive immigration education exhibit (The 6th Street Experience), and the annual Walk for Welcome event.

Product overview

The Spero Project is a nonprofit organization operating as a single, unified service model focused on welcoming resettled refugees to Oklahoma City. Rather than a technology platform, it offers an integrated set of community programs including The 6th Street Experience (an immersive immigration education exhibit), Adult Education Classes and Tutoring (ELL, citizenship, and driving instruction), the Adult Education Scholarship Fund (financial support for educational pursuits), After School and Summer Student Support Programs, an Internship Program, a Letter Writing Advocacy Campaign, and Town Hall Hosting resources. These programs work together to connect refugees to people, resources, and learning opportunities that make Oklahoma a place of belonging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The 6th Street Experience An immersive walk-through educational experience in Oklahoma City that walks visitors through refugee, asylum, and Afghan Placement and Assistance immigration processes and provides current immigration information and cultural learning opportunities. It is designed for community members, groups, schools, and faith or civic organizations who want to understand refugee resettlement and take action as welcomers.
• Adult Education Scholarship Fund A scholarship fund that provides financial support to resettled adult refugees seeking to pursue educational and professional goals through intensive English programs, GED/TOEFL prep, or trade school. It is open to adult refugees served by The Spero Project and is funded through directed individual donations.
• Adult Education Classes and Tutoring Weekly free adult English language classes, plus citizenship preparation and driving instruction, delivered at accessible community locations in Oklahoma City with one-on-one tutoring for adult resettled refugees. Aimed at adult newcomers who need language acquisition, civic preparation, and practical life skills to navigate life in the U.S.
• After School and Summer Student Support Program A daily after-school program for elementary-age children, personalized mentoring for post-elementary students, and summer programs focused on language acquisition and academic skills, with school liaison services such as translation, transportation, and parent engagement. Designed for school-aged children in Oklahoma City's resettled refugee community and their families.
• Internship Program A volunteer internship program offered in English Language Learning and Student Support program areas during spring, summer, and fall terms, with summer interns potentially receiving compensation through the Inas much Community Fellowship. Open to individuals seeking hands-on experience in refugee services and ESL/student support programming.
• Town Hall Hosting Program A program that provides materials and resources for individuals to host their own Town Halls in their communities, sharing information about impacts on resettled neighbors and advocating for continued refugee welcome. Targeted at community members willing to host gatherings in their networks.
• Letter Writing Campaign An advocacy initiative that provides supporters with customizable letter templates and guidance to write to state leaders and Members of Congress on behalf of refugees and continued U.S. resettlement protections. Designed for individual constituents and community advocates who want to take legislative action.
• Walk for Welcome An annual community walk event demonstrating Oklahoman support for refugee welcome and belonging, with registration and sponsorship opportunities available to community members, families, and organizational supporters. The 2026 Walk for Welcome is scheduled for June 6, 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• Programs have evolved substantially every year since 2009 in response to refugee community leadership
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Major national refugee resettlement and humanitarian aid organization with offices across the U.S.; overlaps with Spero in resettlement, education, and integration services, but operates at much greater scale and scope.
• Church World Service: National faith-based organization providing refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and integration programs; comparable in mission to Spero at significantly greater scale.
• HIAS: Global Jewish nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, legal services, and integration support; comparable in mission and service mix to Spero but with a much larger national and international footprint.
• Bethany Christian Services: Faith-based nonprofit providing refugee and foster care services across multiple U.S. states; comparable in resettlement and integration mission to Spero but with broader service portfolio.
• World Relief: Faith-based refugee resettlement and immigration services organization with offices in multiple U.S. cities; overlaps with Spero in resettlement case management, ESL, and employment services.
• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): National nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, advocacy, and integration services; comparable mission and target population to Spero but operating across many more U.S. locations.

Regional players

• Refugee Services of Texas: Texas-based refugee resettlement agency offering case management, ESL, employment, and youth services; highly comparable service model to Spero but serving a different state.

Emerging players

• RefugeeOne: Chicago-based refugee resettlement and integration nonprofit; comparable mid-sized service model including ESL, employment, and youth programs, but with a smaller geographic focus.

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City: Largest refugee resettlement provider in Oklahoma; offers case management, employment, and ESL services in the same OKC market as Spero, directly competing for federal contracts, volunteers, and donor dollars.
• Jewish Family Service of Oklahoma City: OKC-based social services nonprofit serving refugees and other vulnerable populations with case management, ESL, and resettlement support; directly competes with Spero in the same local market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thesperoproject

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Spero Project