Refugee Support Services
Refugee Support Services is a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the only post-resettlement agency in greater Charlotte, delivering 11 programs including Help Desk case assistance, food distribution, ESL, mentorship, and workforce development to refugees and asylees from 48 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersCharlotte, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Refugee Support Services does
Refugee Support Services (RSS), legally Refugee Support Services of the Carolinas, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the only post-resettlement agency in the greater Charlotte area, delivering a coordinated portfolio of 11 programs to refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and special immigrant visa holders. Core services include the Help Desk (in-person and helpline case assistance for translation, bill payment, government forms, and employment navigation), the Park & Pick Market (weekly free food distribution), Fruitful Friends (mentor matching), the Knit Together Group (women's artisan and workforce program with earned revenue from market sales), Love & Learn (early childhood enrichment), Youth Education, Workforce & Artisan, Citizenship Classes, and the Adult Education Program launched in February 2024. The organization also operates a secondary Adult Education site on Shamrock Drive.
RSS operates on a donations-based revenue model. Funding streams include individual donations, corporate and foundation partnerships (Bank of America, Foundation for the Carolinas, DoorDash Project Dash), in-kind contributions (estimated at approximately half of the organizational budget), electronic donations via Neon CRM and PayPal, and stock/IRA/planned giving. All services are provided free of charge. The organization is supported by 232 active volunteers contributing 4,900 hours in 2025 and staffed by roughly 12 to 20+ employees. RSS functions as a hub within a partner ecosystem of nearly 100 local organizations spanning health (Charlotte Community Health Clinic), housing (Habitat for Humanity), legal (International House Charlotte), education (Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library), and the primary referral partner Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency.
In 2025, RSS reported 2,031 participants supported from 48 countries of origin speaking 58 languages, with 1,713 receiving Help Desk services. The organization is working toward deploying over $2M annually across its programs. Geographic scope is limited to the Charlotte metropolitan area; there is no proprietary technology platform, no API, and no AI/ML components underpinning service delivery.
Refugee Support Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Refugee Support Services
- Legal name
- Refugee Support Services of the Carolinas
- Website
- https://refugeesupportservices.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Refugee Support Services is a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the only post-resettlement agency in greater Charlotte, delivering 11 programs including Help Desk case assistance, food distribution, ESL, mentorship, and workforce development to refugees and asylees from 48 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Refugee Support Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Refugee Resettlement and Social Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food Services (624210), Child and Youth Services (624110), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)
Keywords
Where Refugee Support Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlotte
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Refugee Support Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Donations from individuals supporting the refugee resettlement mission
- Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations and foundations who contribute to the organization's work
- In-Kind Donations: Approximately half of the organizational budget comes from in-kind donations including items from Amazon Wishlist and other sources
- Electronic Donations: Online donations via Neon CRM portal and PayPal
- Stock, IRA, and Planned Giving: Donations from stocks, IRA distributions, and bequests with potential tax benefits
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Refugee Support Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Refugee Support Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free post-resettlement programs to refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and special immigrant visa holders in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area. Its portfolio spans direct service programs (Help Desk helpline, Park & Pick food market, Fruitful Friends mentorship, Knit Together Group, Love & Learn preschool, Youth Education, Workforce & Artisan, Adult Education/ESL, and Citizenship Classes) and a community navigation hub linking participants to housing, employment, healthcare, translation, and legal resources through nearly 100 local partner organizations.
Product overview
Refugee Support Services operates as a nonprofit organization offering a coordinated suite of post-resettlement support programs for refugees, asylees, and other displaced people in Charlotte, NC. The portfolio includes eleven distinct programs: Help Desk (in-person and helpline assistance), Park & Pick Market (weekly food distribution), Fruitful Friends (mentor matching), Knit Together Group (women's artisan and workforce development program), Love & Learn (pre-school enrichment), Youth Education Program, Workforce & Artisan Program, Adult Education Program (launched February 2024), Community Navigation Programs, Food & Community Information Programs, and Citizenship Classes. These programs work together to facilitate housing, employment, healthcare access, language learning, citizenship preparation, and cultural integration. RSS is the only post-resettlement agency in the greater Charlotte area.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Help Desk In-person and remote helpline service providing refugees, asylees, and humanitarian parolees with assistance reading mail, paying utility bills, making phone calls, completing government forms, translation, and employment support. Served 1,713 participants in 2025. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am-1pm at the Charlotte headquarters, with remote support via phone/text helpline (980-263-9334) with 24-hour response.
- Park & Pick Market Weekly free food market distributing fresh fruits, vegetables, dried goods, and other items to refugee and displaced families in need. Operates every Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 AM at the Charlotte headquarters; 446 participants received food through the program.
- Fruitful Friends Mentor matching program that pairs refugee program participants with community members and local families for cultural exchange, friendly companionship, and local integration support. 133 participants spent over 4,050 hours with their Fruitful Friends mentors.
- Knit Together Group (KTG) Holistic women's program meeting weekly for refugee women to create knit and crochet items, with a focus on income opportunities, language practice, workforce development skills, and community connections. Products are sold at local markets and events.
- Love & Learn Pre-school enrichment program where refugee children and parents build literacy skills, create art, socialize, and learn from one another in a safe and structured environment. Operated in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
- Youth Education Program Educational support program for refugee youth meeting Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00am-12:00pm, providing after-school programming and educational resources.
- Workforce & Artisan Program
- Adult Education Program
- Citizenship Class
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,031 participants supported from 48 countries speaking 58 languages
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Refugee Support Services
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Refugee Support Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Refugee Support Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, important and minor.
- ourBRIDGE for KidscoreCo-located partner at the Aldersgate campus. ourBRIDGE provides services for refugee children and families, complementing RSS programs.
- Charlotte Mecklenburg LibrarycoreLong-standing partnership since 2009 facilitating weekly joint programming in the Love & Learn Program.
- Aldersgate LivingcoreHost organization providing space at Aldersgate campus where RSS moved in 2022 to share a building with collaborators.
- Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency (CRRA)corePrimary referral partner for incoming refugees needing post-resettlement support services.
- Galilee CenterimportantRSS moved in as a founding partner at the Galilee Center on Central Ave in 2015.
- Mecklenburg County Parks & RecreationimportantCollaborated to start the Taste of Home program in 2010.
- Albemarle Rd. Presbyterian ChurchminorHosted a temporary Help Desk program on Saturdays from 2012-2014.
- Bank of AmericaimportantFoundation funding partner supporting RSS programs.
- DoorDashminorProject Dash partnership for food delivery support.
- Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC)coreEducational partner providing ESL resources and adult education support.
- Charlotte Community Health ClinicimportantHealthcare resource referral partner for refugees.
- International House CharlottecoreImmigration law clinic and conversation hours partner for language and legal support.
- Habitat for Humanity Charlotte RegionimportantHousing resource partner for affordable housing connections.
- Wedgewood Social Justice CommunityimportantCollaborator on International Holiday Bazaar events featuring refugee vendors and crafts.
- Wool Whisperers Knitting GroupminorCommunity knitting group that participates in KTG events and potlucks.
- South Charlotte Baptist Church (SJBC)minorChurch community partner participating in KTG Thanksgiving events.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Refugee Support Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Church World Service (CWS): Faith-based organization running refugee resettlement and post-resettlement integration programs in multiple U.S. states. Provides similar wraparound services (housing, employment, education) to refugee populations and is a national peer to RSS.
- HIAS: Global Jewish nonprofit providing refugee resettlement and integration services across multiple U.S. cities. Offers direct post-resettlement programming (employment, ESL, case management) comparable to RSS and is one of the national refugee resettlement agencies.
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): National nonprofit providing direct services to refugees and immigrants including resettlement, employment, education, and integration support. Operates programs comparable to RSS across multiple U.S. locations.
- ourBRIDGE for Kids: Co-located at the Aldersgate campus in Charlotte, ourBRIDGE serves refugee children and families with educational and community support programming. Directly comparable as a Charlotte-based refugee support nonprofit with overlapping target population.
- International House Charlotte: Charlotte-based nonprofit serving immigrants and refugees with immigration legal services, conversation/ESL hours, and cultural programming. Listed as a partner of RSS and directly comparable in mission and geography.
- World Relief: Christian humanitarian organization running refugee resettlement, ESL, employment, and case management programs across the U.S. Directly comparable in mission and service model to RSS, though at significantly greater national scale.
- Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency (CRRA): Regional refugee resettlement agency serving Charlotte, NC area. While CRRA focuses on initial reception and 90-day resettlement, RSS handles post-resettlement services, making them complementary direct peers serving the same refugee population in the same geography.
Broad incumbents
- International Rescue Committee (IRC): Large international humanitarian organization providing refugee resettlement, integration, and post-arrival services across the U.S. Operates in many major cities and offers an overlapping suite of services including employment, education, and case management that mirrors RSS's program portfolio.
- Catholic Charities USA (Refugee Services): National network of Catholic Charities agencies providing refugee resettlement, case management, employment, and integration services. Operates as one of the national refugee resettlement agencies with local affiliates offering services comparable to RSS.
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte: Regional Catholic social services agency providing immigration legal services, refugee support, and broader social assistance across western North Carolina. Comparable as a Charlotte-area refugee support provider with broader social service scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Refugee Support Services social profiles
Digital presenceRefugee Support Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Refugee Support Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Refugee Support Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Refugee Support Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Refugee Support Services
What does Refugee Support Services do?
Refugee Support Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free post-resettlement programs to refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and special immigrant visa holders in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area. Its portfolio spans direct service programs (Help Desk helpline, Park & Pick food market, Fruitful Friends mentorship, Knit Together Group, Love & Learn preschool, Youth Education, Workforce & Artisan, Adult Education/ESL, and Citizenship Classes) and a community navigation hub linking participants to housing, employment, healthcare, translation, and legal resources through nearly 100 local partner organizations.
Is Refugee Support Services a public or private company?
Refugee Support Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Refugee Support Services founded?
Refugee Support Services was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Refugee Support Services based?
Refugee Support Services is headquartered in Charlotte, United States, in the North America region.
How does Refugee Support Services make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate and Foundation Partnerships, in-Kind Donations, electronic Donations and stock, IRA, and Planned Giving.
Who are Refugee Support Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Church World Service (CWS), HIAS, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), ourBRIDGE for Kids, International House Charlotte, World Relief and Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency (CRRA). Broad incumbents are International Rescue Committee (IRC), Catholic Charities USA (Refugee Services) and Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.
Does Refugee Support Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Refugee Support Services.
What industry is Refugee Support Services in?
Refugee Support Services's product category is Refugee Resettlement and Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAHAI, Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAI, Refugee & Immigrant Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.