US Together

What US Together does

US Together Inc. is a nonprofit mutual assistance agency founded in 2003 in Columbus, Ohio, that delivers refugee resettlement and immigrant integration services across the state through offices in Columbus (headquarters), Cleveland, and Toledo, with additional international programming out of a Kigali, Rwanda office certified in August 2021. The organization was started by and continues to be run by former refugees, providing culturally grounded case management, housing placement, employment services, ESL instruction, interpreter services, civic and social integration programming, and a Refugee Microenterprise Development (MED) program delivered in partnership with ECDI, SCORE, and multiple Ohio universities. It also operates Welcoming City, a social enterprise addressing 'brain waste' by connecting skilled immigrants to employment and licensing pathways.

US Together's revenue model is grant-funded rather than transactional: primary inflows come from federal contracts with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) — including the Matching Grant Program — and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Refugee Support Services Program, supplemented by foundation grants (e.g., a $50,000 Hollister Confidence Project grant in 2022), individual donations through Network for Good, and corporate giving programs such as Kroger Community Rewards and Amazon Smile. All client-facing services are delivered free of charge. The go-to-market motion is community-led: clients self-refer or arrive via referrals from government agencies, schools, healthcare providers, other resettlement organizations, and word-of-mouth within refugee and immigrant networks, reinforced by community events, art exhibitions, and earned media.

The product portfolio is organized around core service programs — RSSP, Fast Track Employment, Women's Empowerment, MED, Civic, Social, and Linguistic Integration, plus Interpreter Services and Interpreter Training — alongside international programming (Rwanda Development Efforts with MOUCECORE, Global Perspectives Travel Abroad, Partnerships and Exchange) and event-driven initiatives such as the Making Home art exhibition and Support a New Neighbor holiday giving program. Technology is not a differentiator: no proprietary platforms, AI/ML capabilities, or app products are identified, and service delivery is people-intensive rather than platform-mediated.

Name

US Together

Legal name

US Together Inc.

Website

https://ustogether.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

US Together is a refugee-founded, refugee-run nonprofit mutual assistance agency founded in 2003 that delivers resettlement, case management, employment, ESL, interpreter, and microenterprise services to refugees and immigrants across Ohio through offices in Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee and Immigrant Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Community Housing Services (62422), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Diaspora, Family Reunification & Case Management Services (BPADAHAM)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Immigrant integration programs
• ESL adult education
• Refugee employment services
• Interpretation case management

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding from federal and state government programs including the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), which fund refugee resettlement programs, matching grant programs, and supportive services.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations through Network for Good platform, corporate giving programs (Kroger community rewards, Amazon Smile), holiday campaign donations, and general fundraising efforts.
3. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Received $50,000 grant from the Hollister Confidence Project in 2022. Support from various foundations for specific programs and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

US Together is a nonprofit mutual assistance agency that provides refugee resettlement, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, employment placement, housing assistance, case management, interpreter services, and microenterprise development for refugees and immigrants. Founded in 2003, it operates offices in Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo (Ohio) and Rwanda to support new Americans in achieving self-sufficiency and community integration.

Product overview

US Together is a mutual assistance agency offering refugee and immigrant integration services. The organization operates across Ohio with offices in Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo. Its product portfolio centers on core resettlement and integration programs including the Refugee Support Services Program (RSSP), Fast Track Employment Program, Women's Empowerment Program, and Refugee Microenterprise Development (MED) Program for economic integration; Civic, Social, and Linguistic (ESL) Integration programs; and Interpreter Services. The organization also operates Welcoming City as a social enterprise addressing economic integration and 'brain waste' among skilled immigrants. International programming includes Rwanda Development Efforts in partnership with MOUCECORE. Additional programs include annual events such as the Making Home Art Exhibition and Refugee and Immigrant Owned Business Coupon Book.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Welcoming City: A social enterprise initiative focused on providing access and opportunity to prosperity for all residents through economic, cultural, and community integration where everyone is accepted and respected. Addresses the issue of brain waste among highly skilled immigrants.

Products and services

• Refugee Resettlement Program Comprehensive resettlement support for newly arrived refugees including reception, initial housing, cultural orientation, and linkage to community resources.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Adult English language instruction program for refugees and immigrants to support language acquisition and workforce readiness.
• Employment Services Job placement, job readiness training, and workforce integration support for refugees and immigrants seeking employment in Ohio.
• Housing Assistance Support for refugees and immigrants in finding and maintaining safe, affordable housing in Ohio.
• Case Management Individualized case management to help refugees and immigrants navigate social services, benefits, and community resources.
• Interpreter Services Language interpretation services to support refugees and immigrants in accessing healthcare, legal, educational, and other services.
• Microenterprise Development Technical assistance and training for refugees and immigrants seeking to start or grow small businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holder hired at Great Lakes Cheese within 2 months of arrival
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Team RubiconcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022Veteran-led humanitarian organization that partnered with US Together in April 2022 to help move in Afghan parolees. Team Rubicon volunteers assisted with donation pickups/drop-offs, furniture setup, and apartment preparation 2-3 days per week, easing the physical labor burden for staff and clients.
• HIASmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021National refugee resettlement organization whose President Mark Hetfield spoke at the opening night of US Together's Making Home art exhibition in Cleveland.
• MOUCECOREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021Rwandan organization partnering with US Together for international projects supporting livelihoods of vulnerable populations in Gisagara district. Joint project aims to empower 40 Rwandan farmers and refugees from Mugombwa refugee camp with agricultural training and banana farming.
• Rwanda Governance BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021Government body that certified US Together as an official international non-governmental organization (INGO) to operate in Rwanda in August 2021, enabling their international programming.
• Franklin County New Americans Advisory Council (NAAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2021Cross-sector collaboration established in 2017 and chaired by US Together Co-Founder Nadia Kasvin. Comprises immigrant/refugee service providers, government officials, policy experts, and business partners working to identify challenges and build inclusivity solutions for New Americans.
• New American EconomymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2021Research organization that presented demographic reports on New Americans in Columbus as part of Gateways for Growth project. Provided data on immigrant/refugee contributions including tax payments and economic impact.
• Welcoming AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2021National organization supporting welcoming communities initiative. George Zavala represented Welcoming America at the 2021 New American Forum focused on Gateways for Growth project.
• Lakewood High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner collaborating with US Together's Microenterprise Development (MED) program to provide support, training, field trips, mentoring, and tutoring for refugee entrepreneurs.
• John Carroll UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnering with US Together's MED program to provide support, training, mentoring, and tutoring for refugee entrepreneurs.
• ECDI (Economic and Community Development Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall business development organization partnering with US Together's MED program to support, train, and provide resources for refugee entrepreneurs including loan eligibility after program completion.
• SCOREminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentor organization for small businesses partnering with US Together's MED program to provide mentoring and business training for refugee entrepreneurs.
• Case Western Reserve UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch university partnering with US Together's MED program to provide support, training, and tutoring for refugee entrepreneurs.
• Furniture Bank of Central OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing furniture for newly resettled refugee families, with Team Rubicon volunteers assisting in furniture delivery and setup.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery retailer partnering through community rewards program allowing shoppers to support US Together at no cost through Kroger Community Rewards.
• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerE-commerce platform partnering through Amazon Smile program allowing shoppers to support US Together with eligible purchases.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HIAS: One of the oldest U.S. refugee resettlement agencies, providing reception, integration, and legal services to refugees nationwide. US Together partners with HIAS and operates the same mutual-assistance refugee resettlement model in Ohio.
• Church World Service: Faith-based national refugee resettlement agency providing reception and integration services across multiple U.S. states. Operates a near-identical resettlement and case management model to US Together.
• World Relief: National Christian humanitarian organization running refugee resettlement, employment, and integration programs in U.S. cities. Directly comparable service portfolio including workforce development and case management.
• Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC): National refugee resettlement agency operating cultural and linguistic integration programs across multiple states. Directly comparable mutual-assistance and cultural orientation offerings to US Together's ESL and civic integration programs.
• Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS): Ohio-based refugee resettlement agency headquartered in Columbus with similar program offerings (resettlement, ESL, employment). Closest same-state peer competing for the same ODJFS contracts and client base.

Regional players

• Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services: Catholic Charities agency serving Northeast Ohio including Cleveland with refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and case management. Same statewide geography and overlapping client segments as US Together's Cleveland office.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Large global humanitarian organization delivering refugee resettlement and integration programs across the U.S. and abroad. IRC is a scaled, broad-spectrum peer operating economic integration, employment, and ESL programs comparable to US Together's portfolio.
• Welcoming America: National organization leading the Welcoming Communities movement for immigrant inclusion. US Together is a network partner; Welcoming America operates at the policy and city-level ecosystem layer adjacent to US Together's direct service model.

Emerging players

• Tent Partnership for Refugees: Employer-led coalition mobilizing business commitments to hire and integrate refugees. Represents the employer-demand-side model that complements US Together's workforce programs and Fast Track Employment service.
• Upwardly Global: Nonprofit focused on workforce integration of skilled immigrants and refugees — directly mirroring US Together's 'brain waste' mission and Welcoming City social enterprise focus. Represents the tech-enabled, employment-first peer model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=9iWKI-Rb210
• Facebookfacebook.com/USTogetherInc
• Xx.com/ustogethercle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 US Together