The Refugee Collective
The Refugee Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise in Austin, Texas that operates a USDA-certified organic farm and textile studio, employing and training refugees in agricultural and sewing work and selling produce, CSA shares, and refugee-made fiber goods to local consumers and wholesale partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersAustin, Texas, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Refugee Collective does
The Refugee Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise headquartered in Austin, Texas, founded in 2009 and rebranded from the Multicultural Refugee Coalition in 2024. The entity operates two integrated production arms: a 20-acre USDA Certified Organic farm in Elgin, Texas, and a textile manufacturing studio. Its workforce is composed primarily of refugees, who are recruited, trained in agricultural and sewing operations, and progressed through a Community Farmer Program and Farm Business Incubator that supports graduates into independent farm ownership.
Earned revenue is generated through three primary channels: a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with approximately 75 shares distributed weekly at $35 per share across 12+ Austin-area pickup locations; wholesale and restaurant produce sales to partners including Texas Roselle and Este; and direct-to-consumer textile sales via e-commerce and through retail partner Whole Earth Provisions. The organization supplements earned revenue with donations consistent with a 501(c)(3) funding model. The 2024 Farm to Fiber Initiative integrates the farm's organic fiber output with the textile studio, extending the value chain from commodity produce into finished refugee-made goods.
In 2024 the organization was selected as the first Texas pilot site for the Resilient Farm Plan, developed in partnership with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and the Center for Cropping Innovation (CCI) under an SSARE grant. Headcount is reported in the 11–50 range. The business model is mission-driven rather than technology-driven, with no AI/ML capabilities referenced, and growth depends on programmatic expansion, workforce training throughput, and the depth of the Austin-area consumer and donor base.
The Refugee Collective firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Refugee Collective
- Legal name
- The Refugee Collective
- Website
- https://therefugeecollective.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Refugee Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise in Austin, Texas that operates a USDA-certified organic farm and textile studio, employing and training refugees in agricultural and sewing work and selling produce, CSA shares, and refugee-made fiber goods to local consumers and wholesale partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Refugee Collective industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Enterprise Agriculture and Refugee Livelihood Services
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)
Keywords
Where The Refugee Collective is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin, Texas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Refugee Collective business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- CSA Subscriptions: Community Supported Agriculture program where subscribers pay upfront for seasonal produce shares, providing working capital for refugee farmers to prepare beds, buy seeds and transplants.
- Textile Sales: Artisan home goods and natural dye products sold through e-commerce, including private label items for local production partners and retailers.
- Restaurant/Wholesale Produce: USDA Certified Organic produce sold to local restaurants and wholesale partners, with seasonal income opportunities through partnerships like Texas Roselle.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Weekly | Weekly CSA Share - $35/week |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Refugee Collective product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Refugee Collective operates a nonprofit social enterprise combining a 20-acre USDA Certified Organic farm in Elgin, TX with a textile manufacturing studio in Austin. The organization employs refugees in regenerative farming, natural dye production, and sewing operations, and sells its output through Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions, e-commerce, and wholesale channels while providing wraparound livelihood support services.
Product overview
The Refugee Collective is a nonprofit social enterprise operating two core programs: the Refugee Collective Farm (a 20-acre USDA Certified Organic farm in Elgin, TX) and the Refugee Collective Studio (a textile manufacturing studio). The Farm produces organic vegetables, operates a natural dye lab, and supports community farmers, while the Studio employs refugee seamstresses producing naturally dyed textiles. Products and programs include Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions, the Farm to Fiber Collection of naturally dyed home goods, the Community Farmer Program providing growing space and training for refugees, and a Farm Business Incubator for graduates. The Farm to Fiber line connects Texas fiber farmers with the refugee artisan team, producing textiles from Texas-grown organic cotton dyed with farm produce.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Refugee Collective Farm A 20-acre USDA Certified Organic farm in Elgin, TX producing 55 varieties of organic vegetables, operating a natural dye lab, maintaining 150 laying hens in a mobile coop, and running a community farmer program for newly arrived refugees.
- Refugee Collective Studio A textile manufacturing studio where refugee seamstresses produce naturally dyed home goods and private label items using Texas-grown organic cotton and natural dyes derived from farm produce and diverted restaurant food waste.
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) A weekly or bi-weekly produce subscription program providing fresh, certified organic produce from the farm, with 12+ pickup locations across Austin including culturally relevant vegetables at $35 per week.
- Farm to Fiber Collection Naturally dyed home goods and textiles made from Texas-grown organic cotton, featuring natural dyes created from farm produce and local restaurant food waste diversion, sold direct-to-consumer and through retail partners.
- Community Farmer Program A year-long program providing newly arrived refugees with 750 sq. ft. of growing space, supplies, training, and market-rate purchases of their harvest, enabling them to grow culturally desired produce for their communities.
- Farm Business Incubator Program for graduates of the Community Farmer program to start their own farming businesses, with technical support and connections to local produce buyers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 345 metric tons CO2e sequestered per year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Refugee Collective
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Refugee Collective technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Refugee Collective partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Texas RoselleminorSeasonal income partnership during peak harvest seasons for local food businesses.
- Austin Independent School DistrictcorePartnership with local refugee-serving organizations to distribute culturally desired CSA shares to refugee households.
- Foundation CommunitiescorePartnership for distributing culturally desired CSA shares to refugee community members.
- Center for Survivors of TorturecorePartnership for food access programming serving refugee survivors of torture.
- National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)corePartnered on Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) grant to complete the Resilient Farm Plan, the first of its kind in Texas.
- Carbon Cycle Institute (CCI)coreCollaborated with NCAT and CCI on SSARE grant for the Resilient Farm Plan development.
- Elisabet Ney MuseumminorFarm to Fiber Committee partnership for creative direction aligned with community needs.
- EsteminorFarm to Fiber partnership for retail distribution of natural dye products.
- Whole Earth Provisions CominorRetail partner for Farm to Fiber natural dye textile products.
- Black Feather Vintage WorksminorFarm to Fiber Committee partnership for artistic and community engagement.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Refugee Collective competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- SERRV International: SERRV International is a nonprofit fair-trade organization that sells handcrafted goods from artisan groups in underserved communities. It is comparable to the Studio's e-commerce, artisan-sales, and livelihood-creation activities, although it operates as a broader retailer.
- Fibershed: Fibershed is a nonprofit regional fiber-system organization that connects fiber farmers, natural dyers, and makers. It is an adjacent peer for the Collective's Farm to Fiber initiative and natural-dye technology, rather than a direct refugee-service competitor.
- Misfits Market: Misfits Market is an online grocery subscription company built around surplus and imperfect produce and food-waste reduction. It is comparable to the CSA's prepaid, recurring local-produce model, but it is a broader for-profit platform.
Broad incumbents
- International Rescue Committee: The International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian organization providing refugee resettlement, protection, health, livelihoods, and economic support. It is a broad incumbent benchmark for The Refugee Collective's refugee-integration and employment services.
- HIAS: HIAS is an international refugee-protection organization focused on resettlement, integration, legal status, and livelihoods. It is comparable on refugee integration and employment outcomes while operating at substantially greater geographic scale.
Emerging players
- NEST: NEST is a nonprofit that supports artisan businesses through training, market access, and retail channels, including work with refugee and displaced artisans. It is comparable to the Studio's fair-wage employment, natural-dye textile production, and private-label model.
- Global Goods Partners: Global Goods Partners connects artisans in underserved and displaced communities to consumers through fair-trade products. It is comparable to the Studio's livelihood-creation and natural-dye product channel.
Direct peers
- Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA): ALBA is a California nonprofit farm-business incubator that trains limited-resource and immigrant farmers and helps them access land and markets. It is directly comparable to the Community Farmer Program, Farm Business Incubator, and organic-production model.
- RefugeeOne: RefugeeOne is a nonprofit serving refugees through resettlement, employment, and wraparound social services. It matches The Refugee Collective's refugee-support mission and livelihood-plus-support model, although it does not specialize in farming and textiles.
- Global Growers Network: Global Growers Network is a nonprofit that provides land, training, and market access to refugee and immigrant farmers. It is directly comparable to The Refugee Collective's community farmer program and market-rate produce pathway.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Refugee Collective social profiles
Digital presenceThe Refugee Collective compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Refugee Collective financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Refugee Collective leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Refugee Collective funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Refugee Collective 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 The Refugee Collective
What does The Refugee Collective do?
The Refugee Collective operates a nonprofit social enterprise combining a 20-acre USDA Certified Organic farm in Elgin, TX with a textile manufacturing studio in Austin. The organization employs refugees in regenerative farming, natural dye production, and sewing operations, and sells its output through Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions, e-commerce, and wholesale channels while providing wraparound livelihood support services.
Is The Refugee Collective a public or private company?
The Refugee Collective is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Refugee Collective founded?
The Refugee Collective was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Refugee Collective based?
The Refugee Collective is headquartered in Austin, Texas, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Refugee Collective make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. CSA Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are textile Sales and restaurant/Wholesale Produce.
Who are The Refugee Collective's main competitors?
Others on record are SERRV International, Fibershed and Misfits Market. Broad incumbents are International Rescue Committee and HIAS. Emerging players are NEST and Global Goods Partners. Direct peers are Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), RefugeeOne and Global Growers Network.
Does The Refugee Collective have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Refugee Collective.
What industry is The Refugee Collective in?
The Refugee Collective's product category is Social Enterprise Agriculture and Refugee Livelihood Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAN, Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAI, Refugee & Immigrant Support Services. Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 2300.