International Institute of Metro Detroit

What International Institute of Metro Detroit does

The International Institute of Metro Detroit (IIMD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1919 that delivers no-cost education, training, immigration legal services, and economic-mobility support to low-income immigrants, refugees, and U.S.-born residents across the tri-county Metro Detroit area (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb). Over 102 years, the organization has served more than 2 million people from approximately 180 cultures speaking roughly 200 languages, operating from its renovated headquarters at 111 E Kirby Street in Detroit. It is staffed and managed by immigrants who provide culturally competent services, drawing on a team of 25 employees supplemented by instructors, DOJ Accredited Representatives, licensed citizenship instructors, and TESOL-certified ESL teachers.

IIMD's core service portfolio spans five program verticals: Immigration Legal Services, the Center for Working Families (workforce development, financial literacy, income support), Education and Training (ESL at three levels, citizenship preparation, CNA training, FAE&T Plus, Adult Education), Community Development and Outreach, and Cultural Connections. Its proprietary technology assets are programmatic rather than software-based — most notably a proprietary integrated ESL curriculum described as tried and tested, and an evidence-based integrated citizenship instruction approach pairing ESL with naturalization casework. Adjacent revenue-generating assets include the Small World Kitchen and rentable facility spaces (Hall of Nations, American Room, Knudsen Room, four classrooms).

The revenue model is donation- and grant-driven rather than commercial. Programs are predominantly free to qualified Michigan residents, with limited fee revenue from a tiered membership program ($25 to $1,000+ annually, with escalating benefits), facility rental income, and historically a $300-per-term Spanish Language offering (on hold as of December 2021). Material funding sources include The Kresge Foundation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, United Way, the Rocket Mortgage Community Fund/LISC, and the City of Detroit Mayor's Office. Distribution is primarily direct in-person at the Detroit facility and online, supplemented by partnerships with city government, healthcare employers, and local colleges for the CNA pipeline.

Name

International Institute of Metro Detroit

Legal name

International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, Inc.

Website

https://iimd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Institute of Metro Detroit (IIMD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1919 that delivers no-cost immigration legal services, ESL and citizenship preparation, CNA and workforce training, and community development programs to low-income immigrants, refugees, and residents across Metro Detroit's tri-county area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigrant and Refugee Social Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (61), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAADAE

Workplace & Career Integration for Immigrants (Credentialing, Job Readiness)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Citizenship & Immigrant Integration Education

SECONDARYEDAAAOAJ

Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

Keywords

• Immigration legal services
• ESL education
• Citizenship preparation
• Workforce development
• Community integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, IIMD relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund programs and maintain its mission. Donations are tax-deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Membership Fees: IIMD offers membership tiers ranging from $25-$999+ annually. Members receive benefits including the annual newsletter, early access to events and classes, and discounts on facility rentals and Small World Kitchen meals. Membership serves as both a revenue stream and a donor engagement mechanism.
3. Facility Rentals: IIMD rents out its renovated facility spaces including the Hall of Nations (37' x 64' with stage, piano, P.A. System for 50-250 people), American Room (seats 64), Knudsen Room (5-20 people), and multiple classrooms. Additional features include tables and chairs at no extra charge, and kitchen access available for an additional fee.
4. Spanish Language Classes (Fee-Based): Spanish Language Classes are offered for $300 for a 10-week term (30 hours of instruction). This is the primary exception to IIMD's otherwise free programming. Note: Spanish Language Classes were on hold as of December 9, 2021.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IIMD provides free, in-person and online education, training, immigration legal services, and workforce development programs to low-income immigrants, refugees, and U.S.-born residents in Metro Detroit. Core offerings include ESL classes (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced), Citizenship Preparation Classes with naturalization application assistance, a 15-week Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program, the FAE&T Plus program, and the Center for Working Families covering workforce development, financial literacy, and income support.

Product overview

The International Institute of Metro Detroit is a non-profit social services organization offering a portfolio of programs and services. The core offerings include Immigration Legal Services and the Center for Working Families, which provide immigration assistance and economic mobility support. Education and Training programs constitute the primary service delivery mechanism, encompassing ESL classes (at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels), Citizenship Preparation Classes, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training, Spanish Language Classes, Adult Education & Workforce Development, the FAE&T Plus program, and the Kauffman FastTrac Entrepreneurship Program. These educational services are complemented by Community Development and Outreach and Cultural Connections programs. The organization also operates Small World Kitchen and offers Facility Rentals for community use. Together, these programs form an integrated approach to serving immigrants, refugees, and low-income residents of Metro Detroit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Immigration Legal Services Consultations with immigration attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives helping individuals achieve their immigration goals, including naturalization application assistance.
• Center for Working Families Comprehensive service combining workforce development, financial literacy, and income support services to help families achieve economic mobility.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes Free English as a Second Language courses offered at three levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) in classrooms and online using IIMD's proprietary integrated ESL curriculum.
• ESL Conversation Meet-Up In-person interactive ESL conversation meet-up taught by TESOL certified instructors providing practice with English in real-life conversations.
• Citizenship Preparation Classes Free citizenship preparation classes taught by licensed instructors that help individuals prepare for the U.S. citizenship exam, coupled with naturalization application assistance.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training 15-week Certified Nursing Assistant training program (162 hours) offered in partnership with N.U.R.S.E.S., combining online and in-person instruction for healthcare career pathways.
• Spanish Language Classes 10-week Spanish language classes taught by a certified instructor, meeting once weekly for three hours.
• Food Assistance Employment & Training Plus Program (FAE&T Plus) Program helping low-income individuals and families move out of poverty through basic education, technical skills training, credentialing, and job access.
• Adult Education & Workforce Development Career development services providing individual counseling, evaluation, career development, and employment assistance to low-income, foreign-born, and non-immigrant Detroit residents.
• Small World Kitchen Food service facility operated by IIMD at the Detroit headquarters that provides meals and serves the community.
• Facility Rentals Rental venue services including Hall of Nations, American Room, Knudsen Room, and classrooms available for events, meetings, conferences, and gatherings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 158 students passed citizenship class; 74 received naturalization application assistance; 104 completed naturalization interviews with USCIS; 99 became naturalized citizens in FY 2019/2020
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.

• Rocket Mortgage Community Fund Accelerator / LISCsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022IIMD's financial coach is featured in the Michigan Chronicle discussing the Rocket Wealth Accelerator Program offered by IIMD, which is funded by the Rocket Mortgage Community Fund and LISC in Detroit 2022. This program addresses the Black homeownership gap through financial coaching and wealth acceleration.
• Islamic Center of DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The Islamic Center of Detroit partnered with IIMD to initiate the Warrendale Community Integration Project (WCIP), part of The Kresge Foundation's KIP: D initiative. This is a joint community development partnership focused on inclusive community integration in the Warrendale neighborhood.
• City of Detroit Mayoral Office of Immigrant Affairs and Economic InclusioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIMD partners with the City of Detroit Mayoral Office of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion to offer the Kauffman FastTrac Entrepreneurship Program, an initiative providing entrepreneurship training to the immigrant and refugee community.
• N.U.R.S.E.S.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIMD's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) occupational training program is offered in partnership with N.U.R.S.E.S., along with IIMD's employer partners, local colleges and universities, and IIMD's CIET Program Manager/Career Coach. This partnership enables career pathways into LPN, RN, BSN, EKG Technician, Phlebotomist, and other healthcare roles.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Church World Service: National refugee resettlement and immigrant services organization offering ESL, employment, citizenship prep, and immigration legal aid. Directly comparable to IIMD's core services at larger organizational scale.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC) – Detroit: National refugee resettlement and immigrant integration organization with a Detroit office delivering ESL, employment, and immigration services. Same mission as IIMD but operates at national scale with significantly larger resources.
• Lutheran Services in America / Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS): National faith-based refugee resettlement and immigrant services network delivering ESL, citizenship, legal aid, and unaccompanied children's programs. Comparable to IIMD's resettlement and integration model at large national scale.
• HIAS: Global Jewish refugee resettlement agency providing immigration legal services, ESL, and integration support across U.S. cities. Comparable service portfolio to IIMD at national scale.

Direct peers

• Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC): Statewide legal services and advocacy organization for immigrants in Michigan. Comparable to IIMD's immigration legal services arm, with overlapping citizenship and naturalization focus.
• Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan: Regional nonprofit providing immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, ESL, and workforce programs across southeast Michigan. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and service mix to IIMD.
• Chaldean Community Foundation: Detroit-area nonprofit serving immigrant and refugee communities with social services, education, and workforce programs. Operates in overlapping immigrant segments in the same metro market as IIMD.
• Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit: Local social services nonprofit offering immigration legal services, refugee resettlement support, ESL, and case management across the same Metro Detroit geography as IIMD.

Regional players

• Hispanic Center of Western Michigan: Grand Rapids-based nonprofit offering ESL, citizenship classes, and immigration services to the Hispanic community in western Michigan. Similar immigrant-integration mission to IIMD but different geography.
• Casa de Maryland: Mid-Atlantic immigrant services and advocacy organization providing ESL, citizenship prep, legal services, and workforce development. Highly comparable service portfolio to IIMD but operates in Maryland/D.C./Virginia/Pennsylvania rather than Michigan.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/iimdetroit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iimd
• Instagraminstagram.com/iimdetroit

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Institute of Metro Detroit