Afghans Empowered

What Afghans Empowered does

Afghans Empowered is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation (EIN: 85-3040609), founded in 2020 and headquartered in San Diego, California, with additional presence in Los Angeles and New York. The organization connects Afghan refugees, migrants, and the broader Afghan diaspora worldwide with community resources, legal aid, education, advocacy, and storytelling platforms. Its primary service lines include community-based education and support for Afghan migrants in Greece (delivered through partnership with Generation Outside Afghanistan and Afghan M&R Community Center, including a temporary shelter in Athens), humanitarian and digital-literacy support in Afghanistan (via Learn Afghan), and linguistic, humanitarian, and legal-referral support for Afghan nationals seeking asylum via the US-Mexico border (via Latina Muslim Foundation).

The organization's product surface is a mix of direct services and content. Direct services include a refugee shelter program (accommodating approximately 12 people), community education (language classes, digital literacy), legal resources and a pro-bono immigration lawyer directory, and immigration pathway information compiled with Afghan Diaspora for Equality and Progress. Content and commerce assets include a podcast, the 'Afghans of Athens' documentary series, the 'How Do You Take Your Chai?' blog series, a branded merchandise e-commerce shop (t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, phone cases), and recurring advocacy events such as galas, roundtables, and the #StopKillingAfghans Global Protest. There is no proprietary technology stack; delivery is volunteer-driven and mediated by partner organizations.

Its revenue model is a nonprofit donations-and-charitable-contributions model, supplemented by merchandise sales (with 100% of profits directed to projects) and event ticketing (e.g., $65 general admission and $1,000 sponsored tables for the Gala For Afghanistan). Pricing for donations is voluntary and tax-deductible. The organization is run by a volunteer core team of approximately six members including Executive Director/Board President Mursel Sabir and Co-Founder/Vice President Machelle Sabir, with regional coordinators covering community engagement, digital outreach, and advocacy.

Name

Afghans Empowered

Legal name

Afghans Empowered Corp

Website

https://www.afghansempowered.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Afghans Empowered is a 501c3 nonprofit that connects Afghan refugees, migrants, and the diaspora worldwide with community resources, legal aid, education, advocacy, and storytelling platforms, delivering services through partner networks in the United States, Greece, and Afghanistan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and Refugee Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC)

Keywords

• Refugee support services
• Humanitarian community advocacy
• Immigration legal assistance
• Diaspora storytelling platform
• Cultural awareness campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501c3 nonprofit organization (EIN: 85-3040609), Afghans Empowered accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations to support their international communities and projects.
2. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online shop selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, and phone cases. 100% of profits from merchandise sales support current projects and partnerships.
3. Event Tickets: Revenue generated from charity events and galas, such as the Gala For Afghanistan in Westminster, CA, with General Admission tickets at $65 and Sponsored Tables at $1,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Afghans Empowered is a 501c3 nonprofit that connects Afghans worldwide with community resources, legal aid, education, advocacy, and storytelling platforms. Its core offerings include direct refugee shelter and community services in Greece (in partnership with Generation Outside Afghanistan and the Afghan M&R Community Center), pro-bono immigration legal resource compilations, a branded merchandise e-commerce shop, a podcast, blog series such as "How Do You Take Your Chai?" and "Afghans of Athens," and awareness events including galas, roundtable discussions, and global protests.

Product overview

Afghans Empowered is a community-based nonprofit organization (501c3) that operates as a platform connecting Afghans worldwide with resources, advocacy, and direct services. The organization offers an e-commerce merchandise shop (t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, iPhone cases), a podcast, a blog content platform including the 'How Do You Take Your Chai?' series, and the 'Afghans of Athens' documentary series. Direct services include refugee shelter services in Greece providing accommodation and legal support, community services for Afghan migrants (education, language classes, legal representation), immigration legal resources and a pro-bono lawyer directory. The organization also organizes advocacy events and campaigns. These offerings work together to empower Afghan communities through awareness, representation, and practical support for refugees and migrants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Merchandise Shop Online e-commerce store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, caps, and iPhone cases, with 100% of profits directed to current projects and partnerships.
• Afghans Empowered Podcast Podcast series featuring guests discussing Afghan community experiences, diaspora identity, and advocacy topics, hosted by the organization as part of its narrative-building work.
• How Do You Take Your Chai? Blog Series Blog series featuring personal narratives from Afghan-Americans, including content by contributor Yalda Ahmadi discussing Afghan-American culture, identity, and lived experiences.
• Afghans of Athens Documentary Series Documentary-style content series sharing stories of Afghan refugees and migrants in Athens, Greece, documenting the conditions and experiences at the Afghan M&R Community Center.
• Refugee Shelter Services (Greece) Temporary shelter services in Athens, Greece, providing accommodation, legal assistance, document renewal support, and employment support for refugees in precarious living situations, operated in partnership with the Afghan M&R Community Center.
• Community Services for Afghans in Greece Community services program for newly arrived Afghan migrants in Greece, delivered in partnership with Generation Outside Afghanistan, including Greek and English language courses, computer skills classes, sewing circles, health advocacy, and legal services.
• Immigration Legal Resources for Afghans Compiled resource document presenting migration pathways to the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada for Afghans seeking entry, provided through partnership with Afghan Diaspora for Equality and Progress.
• Pro-Bono Immigration Lawyers and Legal Teams Directory Directory listing immigration lawyers and legal teams that provide pro-bono (free) immigration services to Afghan nationals and their families, maintained by Afghans Empowered.
• Events and Awareness Campaigns Organized advocacy events including the #StopKillingAfghans Global Protest, Women in Afghanistan Roundtable Discussions, the Gala For Afghanistan charity night (with General Admission tickets at $65 and Sponsored Tables at $1,000), and World Refugee Week activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 777£ raised during Ramadan for temporary shelter for refugees
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Aseel AppmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2022Co-presented the Gala For Afghanistan charity night for Afghanistan. Aseel App has served over 40,000 individuals since August 2021 and is committed to 100% investment of all donations for humanitarian relief.
• ArtLordsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2022Partnered for the Gala For Afghanistan charity event, featuring artwork for sale and auction.
• Middle East MattersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2022Co-presented the Gala For Afghanistan charity night for Afghanistan.
• Azizi FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2022Co-presented the Gala For Afghanistan charity night for Afghanistan.
• Generation Outside AfghanistancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether with GOA, Afghans Empowered advocates for and supports Afghan communities in Athens, Greece. Services include Greek and English language courses, computer skills classes, sewing circles, health advocacy, and legal services. The partnership educates communities to build solidarity with Afghan-nationals seeking asylum in Greece and the EU.
• Learn AfghancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs technical partners, Afghans Empowered supports the sustainability of Learn Afghan's maternal healthcare and digital literacy projects in Kandahar, Afghanistan and other provinces.
• Latina Muslim FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with the Latina Muslim Foundation to bring awareness to and support Afghan-nationals seeking asylum to the United States via the US-Mexico border. Role supports linguistic services, humanitarian aid, and referral to legal aid services.
• Afghan M&R Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to establish and operate a temporary shelter for refugees in precarious living situations in Athens, Greece. The shelter accommodates vulnerable refugees and provides essential support services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Major international humanitarian organization providing refugee resettlement, legal aid, and health services globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same refugee-services space where Afghans Empowered operates, though at vastly larger scale.
• HIAS: Jewish-American refugee resettlement agency providing legal services, advocacy, and resettlement support for refugees including Afghans. Directly comparable as a refugee-services and pro-bono-legal organization, but at much larger scale.
• Refugees International: Advocacy and policy organization focused on displaced populations worldwide, including Afghan refugees. Comparable in advocacy-driven mission and donor-supported model.
• Catholic Charities USA: Large US network providing refugee resettlement, legal immigration services, and shelter across the US. Comparable broad refugee-services scope and reliance on donations and volunteers.
• UNHCR USA: UN Refugee Agency operating worldwide with advocacy, fundraising, and resettlement programs for displaced populations including Afghans. Comparable broad incumbent in the same humanitarian advocacy space.

Direct peers

• Women for Afghan Women: US-based nonprofit delivering services and advocacy specifically for Afghan women and families, including shelters and legal aid. Most directly comparable as a community-based, Afghan-specific refugee and women's rights organization.
• International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP): Organization providing pro-bono legal representation and advocacy for refugees including Afghans seeking resettlement. Directly comparable legal-services and advocacy focus for Afghan refugees.
• Afgan Diaspora for Equality and Progress (ADEP): Grassroots Afghan diaspora organization that has directly partnered with Afghans Empowered on immigration legal resources. Closely aligned mission, target audience, and program approach.
• Aseel App: Direct partner organization providing humanitarian relief in Afghanistan, having served 40,000+ individuals since 2021. Comparable Afghan-focused humanitarian and fundraising model, with overlapping donor base via the Gala For Afghanistan event.
• Learn Afghan: Direct partner operating maternal healthcare and digital literacy projects in Kandahar. Highly comparable Afghan-focused nonprofit model with which Afghans Empowered co-delivers services.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/afghansempowered
• Instagraminstagram.com/afghansempowered
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afghans-empowered

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Afghans Empowered