What RefugeeOne does

RefugeeOne is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in Chicago's West Rogers Park neighborhood, operating as the city's largest refugee resettlement agency. The organization delivers a comprehensive, integrated portfolio of social services — at no cost to participants — including case management, employment placement, English language and digital literacy classes, mental and physical health services (including an in-house dental clinic), youth services for ages 0-25, DOJ-accredited immigration and citizenship assistance, resettlement coordination, workforce development, a sewing studio vocational program, and women's services. In FY2025, RefugeeOne served 3,347 newcomers from 84 countries and has welcomed more than 22,000 refugees since inception.

The organization runs on a community-led service model rather than a proprietary technology platform: nearly 100 staff speaking more than 30 languages deliver services directly at the West Ridge headquarters, two Ukrainian satellite offices in Long Grove and Norridge (co-located in faith-partner churches), partner sites, employer worksites, and participants' homes across the Chicago metropolitan area. Volunteer mentor teams (3-6 person cohorts), tutor networks, and 100+ employer partners (including Tyson Foods, Aramark, Hilton Chicago O'Hare, Koch Foods, Eli's Cheesecake, and SC Electric) form the operational backbone. RefugeeOne does not develop or license proprietary technology; its core "intelligence" asset is its multilingual, culturally-credentialled workforce.

Revenue mechanics are those of a mid-sized nonprofit: a blend of individual and foundation donations, government grants and contracts (notably USRAP resettlement contracts and Illinois Department of Human Services partnerships), and in-kind support from corporate and faith partners. All services are provided free to participants, and donations are tax-deductible. The customer base is refugees, asylum seekers, and broader immigrant populations (including SIV, TPS, Humanitarian Parole, and T/U Visa holders); the "buyer" side of the model consists of government funders, institutional donors, and corporate partners that absorb the cost of resettlement services.

Name

RefugeeOne

Legal name

RefugeeOne

Website

https://refugeeone.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RefugeeOne is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 and Chicago's largest refugee resettlement agency, delivering free holistic services — case management, employment, ESL, healthcare, dental, youth, and immigration assistance — to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants through a 100-person multilingual staff and 100+ employer partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Resettlement Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (62411), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee Reception & Registration (BPADAHAA), Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services (BPADAHAE), Immigrant & Refugee Community Education (Integration/Navigation) (EDAAAFAH)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Immigration assistance
• English language training
• Employment placement services
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: RefugeeOne operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations. Donations support housing assistance, English language training, mental health care, employment coaching, youth programs, dental care, and other services provided at no cost to program participants.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: The organization receives funding through government programs including refugee resettlement contracts, benefits enrollment support, and immigration services. Programs like IFRP (Illinois Family Resettlement Program) represent government-funded service delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RefugeeOne is Chicago's largest refugee resettlement agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of free social services to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. Core offerings include resettlement support (housing and airport reception), case management and benefits enrollment, English language and adult education classes, mental and physical health services (including therapy and a dental clinic), youth programs for ages 0-25, employment coaching and job placement, citizenship and immigration legal assistance (DOJ-accredited), and specialized programs such as a Sewing Studio and Women's Services. All services are delivered at no cost to participants.

Product overview

RefugeeOne is Chicago's largest refugee resettlement agency (established 1982) offering a comprehensive portfolio of integrated social service programs. The organization operates as a unified service platform with multiple interconnected programs: Case Management and Employment Services serves as the primary intake and ongoing support hub; English Classes and Adult Education provides language and digital literacy training; Mental, Physical, and Emotional Health Services (Wellness Program) addresses healthcare needs including therapy, dental care, and SSI assistance; Youth Services supports children and families ages 0-25; Citizenship and Immigration Services offers DOJ-accredited immigration assistance; Resettlement Services provides initial welcome and housing support; Workforce Development connects clients with over 100 employer partners; the Sewing Studio offers vocational training; Women's Services addresses gender-specific needs; and Volunteer Programs engage community members as mentors, tutors, and teaching assistants. All services are provided at no cost to program participants and are available to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in the Chicagoland area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Case Management and Employment Services Comprehensive case management including support obtaining official identification documents, public benefits enrollment (SNAP, cash assistance, Medicaid, SSI), cultural orientation, and ongoing support throughout resettlement. Employment support includes resume creation, job counseling, interview practice, CTA training, and post-employment counseling.
• English Classes and Adult Education In-person and online English classes for beginners through pre-Intermediate learners, as well as in-person Digital Literacy classes for ORR-eligible populations.
• Mental, Physical, and Emotional Health Services Free, confidential wellness services including mental health screening, individual therapy, medical case management, SSI application assistance, pregnancy support, home visiting programs, and dental clinic services.
• Youth Services Support services for children and young adults ages 0-25 including school enrollment, IEP support, afterschool programs, middle school boys and girls groups, in-home tutoring, teen tutoring, mentoring programs, and partnership with After School Matters.
• Citizenship and Immigration Services DOJ accredited representatives assist immigrants at various immigration stages with free naturalization assistance, citizenship classes (morning and evening, in-person and virtual), green card applications, work permit applications, and family reunification petitions.
• Resettlement Services Welcome refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) with coordinated services including housing support, airport reception, and initial adjustment assistance.
• Hire a Refugee Program Employment program connecting employers with pre-authorized job seekers, offering pre-screened candidate referrals, onboarding support, interpretation services, cultural support, and post-placement support at no charge.
• Dental Clinic In-office dental clinic providing oral exams, basic and deep cleanings, fillings, and extractions with pro bono services from volunteer dentists and dental professionals.
• Sewing Studio Vocational training program teaching sewing skills that leads to employment opportunities in the garment industry.
• Women's Services Specialized services addressing the unique needs of refugee women including support with cultural adjustment, family navigation, and empowerment programs.
• Volunteer Programs Various volunteer opportunities including Adult Education (Teaching Assistant, English Study Group leader, digital literacy instructor), Mentor Team (3-6 person teams supporting refugee families), Adult Mentor, Young Adult Mentor, Youth Tutor, After-School Program, and Dental Clinic volunteers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22,000+ refugees welcomed since 1982
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SC ElectricminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployer partner connecting refugees with employment opportunities. RefugeeOne's employment program provides pre-screened candidate referrals, onboarding support, interpretation services, and cultural support for employers.
• Tyson FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployer partner providing job opportunities for refugees. Tyson Foods offers flexible schedules and has hired refugees for manufacturing and production roles.
• Rivers Casino Des PlainesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployer partner offering hospitality industry employment opportunities for refugees in the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Eli's CheesecakeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured employer partner known for employing refugees. Featured in UNHCR story about refugee inclusion. Offers food service and manufacturing positions.
• AramarkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLarge employer partner providing food service and hospitality employment opportunities for refugees throughout Chicago area.
• Hilton Chicago O'HareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployer partner in hospitality sector offering hotel employment opportunities for refugees near O'Hare Airport.
• Koch FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood manufacturing employer partner offering employment opportunities for refugees in the Chicago area.
• UMF PerfectCLEANminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing infection prevention workforce training for refugees. RefugeeOne and UMF PerfectCLEAN partnered to train legal refugees in infection prevention skills for healthcare sector employment.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)coreOthersGovernment partner for citizenship and immigration services. RefugeeOne offers free naturalization assistance in partnership with IDHS and ICIRR.
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey advocacy and service partner. RefugeeOne partners with ICIRR for citizenship classes and immigrant rights initiatives.
• Chicago Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing resources for refugees including Mango Languages and LinkedIn Learning access. Library referrals for English learning books and career resources.
• Life on the Vine Church (Long Grove)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith partner housing Ukrainian satellite office. Provides space for English classes and services for Ukrainian refugees.
• Acacia Park Lutheran Church (Norridge)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith partner housing Ukrainian satellite office and English class location for refugees.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Centro Romero: Chicago-based nonprofit serving refugees, immigrants, and low-income residents on the north side of Chicago with case management, ESL, and legal services. Geographic overlap with RefugeeOne's Rogers Park/West Ridge service area.
• Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC): Chicago-based nonprofit providing cultural, social, and resettlement services to Ethiopian and African refugees and immigrants in the same geography as RefugeeOne. Overlaps in ESL, employment, and case management but with a narrower cultural focus.

Broad incumbents

• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society): National Jewish-founded refugee resettlement agency operating across multiple U.S. states, providing integration services, legal aid, and case management. Operates the same federal contracting model as RefugeeOne with broader geographic reach.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): National refugee resettlement agency operating in multiple U.S. cities including Chicago, providing case management, employment, health, and education services. Operates at much larger scale globally but offers the same core resettlement platform as RefugeeOne.
• World Relief: National refugee resettlement agency providing case management, ESL, employment, and immigration legal services across multiple U.S. cities. Direct service parallel with RefugeeOne under the same USRAP framework.
• Church World Service: Faith-based national refugee resettlement agency providing reception, placement, and integration services to refugees in multiple U.S. states. Operates the same federal contracting model and shares the same funding dynamics as RefugeeOne.
• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): National refugee resettlement and advocacy organization operating in multiple U.S. cities, providing case management, employment, and integration services. Same federal contracting structure and service model as RefugeeOne.

Others

• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR): Statewide advocacy coalition that partners with RefugeeOne on citizenship classes and immigrant rights initiatives. Not a direct service competitor but a strategic ecosystem partner that influences funding and policy affecting RefugeeOne's operations.

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: One of the largest social service providers in the Chicago area, operating refugee resettlement services through the USRAP alongside immigration legal services, housing, and employment programs. Directly competes for federal refugee resettlement contracts in the same geography.
• Heartland Alliance: Chicago-based nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, housing, and integration services to immigrants and refugees in Illinois. Direct geographic and service overlap with RefugeeOne, including case management, employment support, and housing assistance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RefugeeOne
• Instagraminstagram.com/refugeeone/?hl=en
• Xx.com/refugee_one

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 RefugeeOne