Refugee Council USA

What Refugee Council USA does

Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit coalition headquartered in Washington, DC, founded approximately in 2000 and currently comprising more than forty US-based nonprofit member organizations that include the major US refugee resettlement agencies (Church World Service, International Rescue Committee, HIAS, US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, USCCB/Migration and Refugee Services, World Relief, Global Refuge, Episcopal Migration Ministries, Ethiopian Community Development Council, Bethany Christian Services), legal aid organizations (International Refugee Assistance Project, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, Human Rights First), refugee-led groups (Refugee Congress), and complementary pathway and welcoming organizations (Talent Beyond Boundaries, Welcoming America, Women's Refugee Commission, Refugees International). RCUSA's mission is to advocate for the rights and protection of forcibly displaced people in the United States, with operational focus on policy advocacy, strategic communications, and programmatic coordination across the US Refugee Admissions Program, asylum system, and humanitarian parole. The organization is led by Executive Director John Slocum and Director of Programs Emily Wood, supported by a small staff of 1-10 employees plus named media contacts.

RCUSA operates a portfolio of digital advocacy products anchored by its Policy Center and supported by the Resource Hub for Refugee-Serving Organizations (Know Your Rights and office-safety materials translated into 15 languages), a bi-weekly Refugee Arrivals Dashboard benchmarking US admissions against Presidential Determination goals by region, an interactive Direct Service Providers directory, an Action Center for advocate mobilization, and a Trump Administration Executive Orders tracker. Programmatic offerings include RCUSA Advocacy Days, the Refugee Storytellers Collective, the International Refugee Integration and Settlement Exchange (IRISE), and the Refugee Integration Self-Assessment Pilot (RISAP) research instrument. RCUSA also participates in UNHCR's annual Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways in Geneva and has issued a quarterly refugee arrivals reporting series covering FY20-FY26.

RCUSA is funded through a nonprofit model with no products or services sold. Revenue is generated from individual donations (promoted via a Donate CTA), coalition member organization support and dues, and grants. Go-to-market is community-led, event-driven, and direct-to-public: grassroots mobilization through action alerts and contact-Congress campaigns, in-person advocacy at RCUSA Advocacy Days and conferences such as the NIIC Conference in Houston, member-organization distribution channels, and earned media. Customer segments are the coalition's own member organizations, refugees and asylees in the US, national/state/local policymakers, refugee-serving community-based providers, and general public supporters. RCUSA celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025 and continues active operations amid a sharply restrictive federal refugee policy environment.

Name

Refugee Council USA

Legal name

Refugee Council USA

Website

https://rcusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Refugee Council USA is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) coalition of 40+ US nonprofit organizations that advocates for the rights and protection of forcibly displaced people through policy coordination, multilingual resource publishing, and data-driven refugee admissions tracking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Advocacy Coalition Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee Camp Coordination & Management (CCCM) (BPADAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Migration, Refugees & Forced Displacement Assistance (BPADABAL), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAG), Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services (BPADAHAE)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement advocacy
• Humanitarian policy coordination
• Asylum rights protection
• Nonprofit coalition advocacy
• Immigration policy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations from individual supporters, member organizations, and donors: RCUSA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN 87-1437940). Revenue is generated through charitable donations and donor support, with a published Donate CTA on the site.
2. Coalition member dues and member organization support: RCUSA is sustained by its coalition of 40+ US-based nonprofit member organizations (Church World Service, IRC, HIAS, USCRI, IRAP, Refugee Congress, etc.) who jointly fund and support advocacy and programmatic coordination work.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) is a coalition-based advocacy platform that unites more than 40 US-based nonprofit organizations to protect the rights of forcibly displaced people. It delivers policy advocacy, strategic communications, and programmatic coordination through a public website featuring a Policy Center, a Resource Hub with multilingual Know Your Rights materials, a Refugee Arrivals Dashboard, an Action Center for advocate mobilization, and coalition-wide research and messaging tools. RCUSA does not provide direct services to refugees; it convenes and amplifies the work of its member organizations at the US national and international levels.

Product overview

Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) operates as a coalition-based advocacy platform rather than a unified software product. Its offering is a coordinated portfolio of programs and resources that work together around a core mission of protecting forcibly displaced people. At the center is the Policy Center, supported by the Community Resources hub, the Resource Hub for Refugee-Serving Organizations, and the Connecting with Direct Service Providers interactive directory. Operational modules include the Refugee Arrivals Dashboard (data tracking), the Action Center (advocate mobilization), and the Trump Administration Executive Orders Tracker (policy monitoring). RCUSA also runs program-based initiatives such as RCUSA Advocacy Days, the Refugee Storytellers Collective Collaboration, the IRISE program, and the Resettlement & Asylum Process educational resources, while participating in UNHCR's annual CRCP multilateral forum. Coalition-wide publications include the 2024 Messaging Pillars and the "Here We Stand" open letter, all driven by RCUSA's role as a coalition of more than forty US-based non-profit organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Policy Center Central hub for RCUSA policy advocacy featuring Ally Resources, Action Alerts, Messaging Pillars, Resettlement & Asylum Process explainers, and the Trump Administration Executive Orders tracker; targeted at policymakers, advocates, and member organizations.
• Refugee Arrivals Dashboard Bi-weekly public tracker monitoring US refugee arrivals data by region and cumulative fiscal year performance against administration admissions goals, with links to downloadable quarterly and annual reports; targeted at policymakers, journalists, and the public.
• Resource Hub for Refugee-Serving Organizations Centralized repository of Know Your Rights and Office Safety resources translated into 15 languages with structured full-form and one-page variants; targeted at nonprofits, legal service providers, mutual aid groups, and faith-based organizations serving refugees.
• Community Resources Curated collection of resources for refugees in need of support, including Know Your Rights materials, emergency preparedness guides, and translated resources in multiple languages; targeted at refugees, asylees, and forcibly displaced people in the US.
• Connecting with Direct Service Providers Interactive directory tool helping refugees find resettlement service providers, legal assistance, employment resources, and answers about rights and immigration status; targeted at newly arrived refugees and people seeking asylum.
• Action Center Advocacy platform enabling supporters to contact their elected officials, sign up as RCUSA Advocates, and join the #WeWillWelcome national campaign; targeted at individual supporters, donors, and volunteers across the US.
• RCUSA Advocacy Days RCUSA's signature in-person advocacy event bringing coalition members together to engage with Members of Congress and administration officials in Washington, DC.
• Refugee Storytellers Collective Collaboration initiative amplifying voices and stories of people with lived experience of forced displacement through multimedia storytelling for advocacy and communications.
• International Refugee Integration and Settlement Exchange (IRISE) RCUSA program supporting international integration and settlement knowledge exchange focused on long-term integration outcomes for forcibly displaced people in the US.
• Refugee Integration Self-Assessment Pilot (RISAP) Research instrument piloted in the Chicagoland area to measure refugee-defined integration outcomes beyond early employment, published as a downloadable report.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,034 refugee arrivals in FY24 — highest level in three decades
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• Church World Service (CWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine/five core national refugee resettlement agencies in the RCUSA coalition. CWS co-signs RCUSA statements, issues parallel advocacy alerts, and jointly pushes for refugee admissions and resettlement policy.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and one of the primary US Refugee Admissions Program resettlement agencies. IRC provides direct services to refugees and issues explainers on administration policies that RCUSA amplifies.
• Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and national resettlement agency. HIAS issues advocacy statements on refugee admissions decisions (e.g., response to FY26 PD) and co-develops refugee protection positions with RCUSA.
• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and national refugee resettlement agency. USCRI publishes independent statements on USRAP suspensions and contributes Know Your Rights resources to the Resource Hub.
• US Conference of Catholic Bishops / Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and one of the primary refugee resettlement agencies. USCCB issues statements, distributes KYR wallet cards, and co-signs RCUSA advocacy.
• International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member. IRAP is lead counsel in litigation challenging Operation PARRIS and the refugee ban (Pacito v. Trump, U.H.A. v. Bondi, Jean A v. Noem) and produces legal explainers that RCUSA distributes.
• Refugee CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefugee-led organization within the RCUSA coalition; partners on advocacy statements and convenes the USRAB (US Refugee Advisory Board) for refugee leadership.
• InterActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined 200+ member organizations. Joint advocacy calling for US leadership on refugee resettlement at UNGA and the Global Refugee Forum (September 2022).
• Global RefugecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and national refugee resettlement agency. Issues parallel statements on USRAP suspensions and produces legal/parole toolkits.
• Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and national refugee resettlement agency participating in coalition advocacy.
• Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and national refugee resettlement agency; issued independent statement on the FY26 record-low admissions goal.
• World ReliefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and national refugee resettlement agency; issued parallel statements on USRAP suspensions.
• Bethany Christian ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore RCUSA member and national refugee resettlement agency.
• Human Rights FirstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCUSA coalition member; produces policy analyses, fact sheets on refugee security screening, and the ReadyNow! emergency alert app.
• Refugees InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCUSA coalition member; produces policy explainers and statements on US refugee policy and resettlement.
• Women’s Refugee CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCUSA coalition member focused on women and children refugees; co-signs advocacy statements.
• Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCUSA coalition member focused on gender-based asylum claims and legal defense.
• Talent Beyond BoundariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCUSA coalition member providing labor mobility / complementary pathway support for skilled refugees.
• Welcoming AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCUSA coalition member advancing welcoming communities movement across US cities and states.
• UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvener of the annual Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways (CRCP) in Geneva; RCUSA's Director of Programs Emily Wood represents US civil society and delivers statements on behalf of US civil society at the CRCP.
• USAHellocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization providing refugee rights, resettlement, and travel-ban information resources translated into multiple languages; content is featured and linked from RCUSA's Policy Center and Resource Hub.
• Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides Welcome Guides for Refugees in 17 languages; linked from RCUSA's For Refugees page as a resource for newcomers.
• Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly released state-level refugee population fact sheets (Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas) in December 2019.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): Core RCUSA member and national refugee resettlement agency that publishes independent statements on USRAP suspensions and contributes Know Your Rights resources. Directly comparable as a refugee policy and resettlement peer.
• Human Rights First: RCUSA coalition member producing policy analyses, fact sheets on refugee security screening, and the ReadyNow! emergency alert app. Comparable as a refugee and human rights policy advocacy organization.
• International Rescue Committee: One of RCUSA's core member organizations and a primary USRAP resettlement agency. IRC directly provides refugee resettlement services and co-signs RCUSA advocacy, making it the closest operational peer in policy advocacy and direct service delivery.
• Welcoming America: RCUSA coalition member advancing the 'welcoming communities' movement across US cities and states. Directly comparable as a coalition-driven refugee and immigrant integration advocacy organization.
• International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP): Core RCUSA member and lead counsel in Pacito v. Trump, U.H.A. v. Bondi, and Jean A. v. Noem. Directly comparable as a refugee legal advocacy and policy organization operating inside the RCUSA coalition.
• HIAS: Core RCUSA member and national refugee resettlement agency. HIAS issues parallel advocacy statements on USRAP and asylum policy, making it a directly comparable refugee advocacy and service organization.
• National Immigration Forum: US-based advocacy coalition promoting the value of immigration and immigrants, including refugees. Operates a similar coalition-and-policy model to RCUSA on immigration/refugee issues, making it a closely comparable peer.
• Women's Refugee Commission: RCUSA coalition member focused on women and children refugees; co-signs advocacy statements and produces research. Directly comparable as a refugee advocacy organization with thematic specialization.
• Church World Service: Core RCUSA member and one of the primary national refugee resettlement agencies. CWS co-signs RCUSA statements and runs parallel advocacy alerts, functioning as a directly comparable faith-based refugee advocacy peer.
• Refugees International: RCUSA coalition member producing policy analyses and statements on US refugee policy and resettlement. Directly comparable as a refugee-focused policy advocacy organization without direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/4jeiRmv4sqc
• Xx.com/RCUSA_DC
• Facebookfacebook.com/RefugeeCouncilUSA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Refugee Council USA