Alliance for African Assistance

What Alliance for African Assistance does

Alliance for African Assistance (AAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 in San Diego, California by Walter Lam, a refugee himself. Operating as an affiliate of the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) since 1995, AAA delivers a comprehensive portfolio of refugee resettlement, immigration legal, employment, education, and integration services to refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, humanitarian parolees (including Afghan and Ukrainian arrivals), survivors of human trafficking, and other vulnerable immigrant populations in the United States, Uganda, Kenya, and Italy. The organization has cumulatively resettled 14,700 refugees from over 30 countries, placed 5,180 in employment, and housed 14,700, supported by partnerships with UNHCR, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement, State of California, City and County of San Diego, Workforce Partnership, and the University of San Diego.

AAA's service architecture is a multi-program, wraparound model rather than a single technology platform. Core product lines include the ECDC-affiliated Resettlement and Placement Program, an Immigration Legal Services Support Program (ILSSP) covering adjustment of status, asylum, naturalization, and related matters, and the Preferred Communities Program (with ASA3 and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole components). Adjacent programs include the Refugee Career Pathway (RCP) program, CDBG and ORR Micro-Enterprise Development, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Ethnic Community Self Help, Home Care Services, the $35/month Child Sponsorship Program for Ugandan war-affected children, and the Safari Seconds Thrift Store, which doubles as an on-the-job training site. Global Village Language and Cultural Solutions provides professional interpretation in over 200 languages to healthcare, legal, educational, and event clients. The Teresa Ayiko International Hospital in Atiak, Uganda, opened in late 2021, is a 200-bed Private Not-For-Profit facility built with a $3 million debt-free investment and approximately $500,000 in two Rotary International Foundation Global Grants, with January 2024 solar PV and battery backup enabling uninterruptible power for surgery.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: tax-deductible donations and charitable contributions; federal, state, county, and municipal grants (HHS ORR, California Refugee Health, San Diego CDBG); foundation and corporate support (Rotary International Foundation, Wells Fargo, Parker Foundation, San Diego Foundation); earned revenue from Home Care Services, Global Village interpretation, and Safari Seconds Thrift Store retail operations; and recurring individual sponsorship (the $35/month Child Sponsorship Program). Distribution is direct-to-consumer and direct-to-enterprise through physical offices in San Diego, Gulu and Atiak (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya), and Rome (Italy), with marketing conducted primarily through social media, a newsletter, annual events such as the World Refugee Day celebration, a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and an integrated PayPal donation flow. There are no public funding rounds, M&A activity, patents, AI/ML capabilities, or proprietary technology products disclosed; AAA is a service-intensive humanitarian organization.

Name

Alliance for African Assistance

Legal name

Alliance for African Assistance

Website

https://alliance-for-africa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alliance for African Assistance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 in San Diego that delivers refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, employment assistance, education, and healthcare to refugees, asylees, SIV holders, and vulnerable immigrants across the United States, Uganda, Kenya, and Italy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Educational Support Services (611710), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Immigration legal services
• Translation interpretation services
• Humanitarian nonprofit services
• Home care services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting refugee resettlement and humanitarian programs
2. Safari Seconds Thrift Store: Non-profit thrift store operated to assist refugees meeting basic needs. All profits support operating costs and free furniture/household goods provision to refugees
3. Home Care Services: Quality and affordable home care services provided to San Diego community by trained caregivers. Services include companionship, personal care, errands, non-medical support, light cleaning, meal preparation, medication reminders, mobility support, and transportation
4. Translation and Interpretation Services: Global Village Language and Cultural Solutions offers professional interpretation services in over 200 languages for medical, legal, educational, and event contexts
5. Child Sponsorship Program: Monthly sponsorship at $35 covering child tuition, uniform, supplies, and family food/medical expenses for Ugandan children affected by war

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alliance for African Assistance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1989 that delivers refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, translation and interpretation in 200+ languages, home care, and healthcare through a hospital and clinic in Uganda. The organization operates across four countries (United States, Italy, Kenya, and Uganda), serves refugees, asylees, SIV holders, parolees, and immigrants, and sustains operations through a child sponsorship program and a thrift store (Safari Seconds).

Product overview

Alliance for African Assistance operates as a multi-service non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of refugee support programs. The core offerings center on refugee resettlement services (through ECDC affiliation) and immigration legal services. These are supplemented by specialized programs including Global Village Translation & Interpretation (200+ languages), Refugee Career Pathway coaching, Micro-Enterprise Development for business creation, Home Care Services, and a Child Sponsorship Program for Ugandan children. The organization also operates the Safari Seconds Thrift Store providing furniture and goods to refugees, and the Teresa Ayiko International Hospital in Uganda. Programs serve diverse populations including refugees, asylees, SIV holders, Afghan and Ukrainian parolees, with services spanning healthcare navigation, employment assistance, legal support, education, and entrepreneurship development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Refugee Resettlement & Placement Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,700 refugees successfully resettled
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECDC is the parent affiliate organization. Alliance for African Assistance operates as an affiliate of ECDC and has successfully resettled 14,700 refugees through this partnership. ECDC provides organizational framework and oversight for refugee resettlement operations.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary humanitarian partner for refugee assistance programs. UNHCR identifies and refers refugees for resettlement and provides funding/support for integration programs.
• US Department of Health & Human Services - Office of Refugee ResettlementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal funding source for refugee programs including Matching Grant, Micro-Enterprise Development, and Ethnic Community Self Help Program. Provides regulatory oversight and programmatic guidance.
• Rotary International FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided approximately $500,000 in two Global Grants for Teresa Ayiko Atiak Hospital: first grant for medical equipment and ambulance, second grant for additional equipment and solar photovoltaic roof panels with battery backup for uninterruptible power supply.
• Rotary Club of GulumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in needs assessment for rebuilding northern Uganda and development of Teresa Ayiko Atiak Hospital. Collaborated with Alliance in identifying healthcare gaps in the region.
• Ker Kwaro AtiakmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraditional authority and community partner in Atiak, Uganda. Contributed to needs assessment and hospital development planning for serving the local community and South Sudanese refugees.
• City of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for facility improvements and micro-enterprise programs. Active partnership in local refugee integration.
• County of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty-level partner supporting refugee services and community development.
• State of California - Refugee HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState funding and oversight for refugee health programs including healthcare navigation services.
• La Jolla Presbyterian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based partner hosting annual World Refugee Day events and supporting resettlement efforts.
• Amnesty InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman rights organization partner in refugee advocacy and support.
• Haines Solar CookersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise providing solar cookers to refugees in Kenya, reducing cooking costs and environmental impact.
• Workforce PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment partner providing job training and placement services for refugees.
• University of San DiegominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Kenya office on Work Integrated Learning Model for employment training programs.
• Ministry of Health - KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for mental health and psycho-social support programs, focusing on Psychology First Aid, Quality Rights, and Suicide Prevention for refugees and Kenyan youth.
• Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) - Co-SponsorshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-Sponsorship Program partnered with ECDC enabling community groups to sponsor refugee families with minimum $2,000 contribution and 6-month commitment providing at least 8 core services.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HIAS: HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) is a direct peer providing refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and integration support across the US. Operates as an affiliate-based network similar to Alliance's ECDC affiliation, serving refugees from diverse origins with legal and social services.
• Church World Service: Church World Service is a faith-based refugee resettlement agency providing reception and placement, immigration services, employment, and integration support through affiliate offices. Comparable in mission, funding sources (ORR Matching Grant, refugee admissions), and service delivery model.
• Samaritas: Samaritas is a Michigan-based refugee resettlement and family services organization providing resettlement, unaccompanied refugee minors services, employment, and housing. Comparable in service portfolio, federal ORR funding, and immigrant/refugee focus, though operating regionally rather than internationally.
• International Rescue Committee: The IRC is one of the largest US refugee resettlement agencies, providing resettlement, immigration legal services, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment to refugees and immigrants. Directly comparable in core mission, service portfolio, and federal funding relationships through the ORR network.
• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants: USCRI is a national refugee resettlement and advocacy organization operating affiliate agencies providing reception, placement, employment, immigration legal services, and case management. Directly comparable in service mix, federal funding relationships, and target population.
• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities operates one of the largest US refugee resettlement networks through diocesan affiliates, providing resettlement, immigration legal services, housing, employment, and case management. Directly comparable in service scope, federal funding streams, and affiliate-based operating model.
• Ethiopian Community Development Council: ECDC is Alliance's parent affiliate organization and operates its own affiliate network of refugee resettlement agencies across the US. Most directly comparable given the formal affiliation relationship, shared service model, and joint Co-Sponsorship Program operations.

Broad incumbents

• UNHCR USA: UNHCR is Alliance's primary humanitarian partner and the global UN agency for refugees. While not a direct US service-delivery peer, UNHCR is the upstream referrer and funder for refugee resettlement globally, making it the most relevant broad incumbent shaping Alliance's operating environment.

Emerging players

• RefugeeOne: RefugeeOne is a Chicago-based refugee resettlement agency providing housing, case management, employment, and immigration services. Comparable in service model and refugee focus but smaller and geographically concentrated compared to Alliance's multi-country footprint.

Others

• Amnesty International USA: Amnesty International is a listed partner of Alliance and operates in the broader human rights and refugee advocacy space. While not a direct service provider like Alliance, it is a comparable NGO in the refugee/humanitarian ecosystem with overlapping donor bases and advocacy priorities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/africanalliance
• Facebookfacebook.com/allianceforafrica
• Instagraminstagram.com/allianceforafrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alliance-for-african-assistance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries7 records

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 Alliance for African Assistance