Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success

What Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success does

The Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) is a Manchester, NH-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 (reformed under its current name in 2011 from the Somali Bantu Community Association) that aids in the resettlement and integration of refugees and immigrants across New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Core service lines include case management (Healthy Families violence prevention, employment services, senior women's services, financial literacy), youth development programming for ages 14–20, the New American Sustainable Agriculture Project (NASAP) farmer training program supporting 40+ New American farmers on ORIS-owned and leased land, and — since 2023 — initial refugee resettlement as an Episcopal Migration Ministries affiliate in Worcester, MA. The organization employs 28 staff across four locations in Manchester (HQ and Food Hub), Concord, NH, and Worcester, MA, with 90% of staff and board reflecting the ethnicities of the communities served and staff collectively fluent in 16 languages across 8 nationalities.

ORIS operates a vertically integrated food access and economic development arm through its sub-brands Fresh Start Farms (a collective brand for NASAP farmers) and the Fresh Start Food Hub, a 3,200 sq ft Manchester facility opened in 2020 with refrigerated storage, a commercial kitchen, and year-round retail. Distribution channels include a 30-foot solar-powered mobile market, CSA/farmshare subscriptions, wholesale accounts, and participation in 35+ farmers markets across New England, with explicit focus on Manchester-area food deserts through partnerships with the City of Manchester Health Department and the USDA Farm to School "Farm Fresh Fridays" pilot (July 2021–June 2023). Program revenue is supported by an Emergency Food Fund launched to respond to SNAP benefit interruptions.

Revenue is generated through three streams: institutional grants from federal agencies (USDA, Department of Justice, Office of Refugee Resettlement) and foundations (NH Charitable Foundation, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, Ann Theodore Foundation, The Clowes Fund, Nellie Mae Foundation, NH Children's Health Foundation, Jane's Trust, Bank of America); individual donations processed online via PayPal, MasterCard, and Visa at tiers of $25–$1,000 with monthly recurring and transaction-fee-coverage options; and produce sales via Fresh Start Farms CSA, retail, wholesale, and farmers markets. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with multilingual staff deploying into the ethnic communities they reside in, supported by organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram) and direct referral.

Name

Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success

Legal name

Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success

Website

https://refugeesuccess.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ORIS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports refugees and immigrants in New Hampshire and Massachusetts through case management, youth programs, refugee resettlement, sustainable farmer training, and food access initiatives including the Fresh Start Food Hub.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee and Immigrant Resettlement Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (62421), Support Activities for Crop Production (1151)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD), Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition Technical Assistance (BPADAEAG), Food Assistance & Nutrition Relief (Emergency Feeding) (BPAGAAAD)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Immigrant integration support
• Sustainable farmer training
• Community food access
• Youth development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional Grants and Funding: ORIS receives funding from institutional funders including federal agencies (USDA, Department of Justice, Office of Refugee Resettlement), foundations (Ann Theodore Foundation, The Clowes Fund, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, Nellie Mae Foundation), and government programs (Community Development Block Grant, America's Healthy Food Financing Initiative).
2. Individual Donations: The organization accepts online donations via PayPal and credit card, as well as donations by check or money order. Donation tiers include $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000 with options for monthly recurring contributions and transaction fee coverage.
3. Produce and Food Sales: Fresh Start Farms aggregate produce from New American farmers and sell through multiple outlets including CSA/farmshare subscriptions, retail storefront, mobile farmers market, wholesale to businesses, and farmers markets. Revenue supports local farmers and food access initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

ORIS provides refugee resettlement, case management, and integration services to new Americans across New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It runs the New American Sustainable Agriculture Project (NASAP) to train refugees and immigrants in sustainable farming, supports them through the Fresh Start Farms collective, and channels their produce through Fresh Start Food Hub (wholesale), Fresh Start Food Cart (mobile market), Fresh Start CSA subscriptions, the Healthy Corner Store Initiative, and a Farm to School program. The organization also delivers youth development programs (STEAM, soccer, dance, summer camp) and maintains an Emergency Food Fund and multilingual donations program.

Product overview

ORIS offers a portfolio of integrated social services organized as distinct programs. Case Management Services provide holistic support including Healthy Families, Employment Services, Senior Women Services, and Financial Literacy. Youth Programs serve ages 14-20 through Farm and Food Leaders summer internships and Pathfinders monthly workshops. The New American Sustainable Agriculture Project (NASAP) provides farmer training on ORIS-managed land. Refugee Resettlement services welcome new arrivals in Worcester, MA. The Fresh Start Food Hub aggregates and distributes produce through retail, mobile market, CSA, and wholesale channels under the Fresh Start Farms brand. Emergency Food Fund provides crisis support during SNAP interruptions. These programs work synergistically: case management supports farmers and resettled families; youth programs incorporate farm training; and the food hub provides market access for NASAP farmers while improving food access for the communities served.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• New American Sustainable Agriculture Program (NASAP): Farmer training program assisting new Americans to build sustainable farm enterprises since 2008. Supports over 40 farmers farming on ORIS-owned and leased land in Dunbarton, Boscawen, and Concord, NH.
• Fresh Start Farms
• Fresh Start Food Hub

Products and services

• Refugee Resettlement and Case Management Direct refugee resettlement, case management, and integration services delivered to newly arrived refugees and immigrants across New Hampshire and Massachusetts, supporting housing, orientation, and access to community resources.
• New American Sustainable Agriculture Project (NASAP) Multi-year training program that teaches refugees and immigrants sustainable small-scale farming practices, preparing them to operate farm businesses through Fresh Start Farms.
• Fresh Start Farms Collective of New American farmers who lease ORIS-supported farmland and grow produce for sale through ORIS's distribution channels. Provides land access, technical assistance, and a shared market for participant farmers.
• Fresh Start Food Hub Wholesale produce distribution operation that aggregates and sells produce grown by Fresh Start Farms farmers to wholesale buyers.
• Fresh Start Food Cart (Mobile Market) Mobile farmers market that brings Fresh Start Farms produce directly to underserved neighborhoods, improving fresh food access.
• Fresh Start CSA Community Supported Agriculture subscription program offering weekly shares of Fresh Start Farms produce to subscriber households.
• Healthy Corner Store Initiative Program that stocks corner stores in underserved neighborhoods with fresh produce from Fresh Start Farms, expanding healthy food access.
• Farm to School Program Program that supplies Fresh Start Farms produce to school food service for use in student meals.
• Youth Programs Youth development programming for New American and other underserved youth in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, including STEAM education, soccer, dance, and summer camp.
• Emergency Food Fund Funded program that distributes emergency food assistance to families in food-insecure situations, supported through charitable contributions.
• Donations Program Multilingual charitable giving program (English, French, Swahili, Arabic, Spanish) supporting ORIS's resettlement, agriculture, food access, and youth programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 New American farmers farm on ORIS-owned and leased land
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Episcopal Migration MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ORIS serves as an affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries to provide initial resettlement services in Worcester, MA. As a resettlement affiliate, ORIS receives families who have fled violence and persecution, welcomes them at the airport, identifies housing, provides basic needs, registers children for school, links families to religious communities, helps secure employment, and provides case management services.
• Neighborworks Southern New HampshirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborworks Southern New Hampshire supported ORIS in acquiring the Fresh Start Food Hub building in early 2020, enabling major renovations and opening for the 2020 farming season.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA NRCS partnered with ORIS to assist farmers like Godence in acquiring high tunnels, enabling extended growing seasons and protection from adverse weather.
• NH Food Hub NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFresh Start Food Hub is a founding member of the NH Food Hub Network, allowing collaboration among food enterprises state-wide.
• Fresh Start Farms NHcoreOthersA collective brand for immigrant and refugee farmers, operated by ORIS. Farmers sell produce under this brand at farmers markets and through food hub channels.
• Amoskeag HealthminorOthersCommunity partner providing healthcare services to refugees and immigrants.
• UNH Cooperative ExtensionminorOthersEducational partner supporting farming programs and extension services.
• Land for GoodminorOthersAgricultural organization partner supporting farmland access and farmer training.
• New EntryminorOthersAgricultural organization partner supporting new American farmers.
• NH Food AllianceminorOthersFood systems network partner supporting local food initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NHrefugeesuccess
• Instagraminstagram.com/explore/tags/organizationforrefugeeandimmigrantsuccess
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/organization-for-refugee-and-immigrant-success

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success