ARAISA - Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies

What ARAISA - Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies does

ARAISA - Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies is a non-profit umbrella organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It serves as the collective voice and capacity-building convener for nearly 40 Anglophone and Francophone immigrant- and refugee-serving agencies across the four Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island). Its core service lines include professional development events, webinars, and self-paced online courses for settlement-sector staff; networking and member representation at regional and national policy tables; and a portfolio of operational programs including the Migrant Worker Support Program (Better Together), SWIS Regional Coordination, the Equity Project with NBMC, AIP Settlement Support, and the national Enhancing National Sector GBA Plus Capacity Project. Resources include the Service Locator Map, the quarterly Atlantic Immigration Spotlight on Data publication, an EDI and Anti-Racism planning toolkit, and a sector library.

ARAISA does not develop proprietary technology products. Its delivery is built on conventional web infrastructure (WordPress-based website at araisa.ca), standard content formats (newsletters, webinars via Zoom-class platforms, recorded video on YouTube), and project-based partnerships. Technology functions as an enablement layer rather than a competitive differentiator.

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid of recurring membership dues (C$250 to C$1,500 per member per year, tiered by member-organization budget) and government grants and project funding, primarily from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), to deliver settlement-sector coordination and program operations. Membership dues are a secondary revenue line; the operating budget is structurally dependent on government funding, supplemented by national project participation. Go-to-market is community-led: ARAISA acquires and retains members through networking events, professional development offerings, policy representation, and bilingual sector convening rather than direct sales.

Name

ARAISA - Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies

Legal name

ARAISA - Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies

Website

https://araisa.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ARAISA is a non-profit umbrella association founded in 1994 that convenes nearly 40 immigrant- and refugee-serving agencies across the four Atlantic Canadian provinces, delivering professional development, policy advocacy, and program coordination funded by membership dues and government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Settlement and Integration Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management (BPADAOAC)

Keywords

• Settlement sector support
• Immigrant serving agencies
• Professional development training
• Membership association services
• Settlement and integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Halifax

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ARAISA generates revenue through annual membership fees from member organizations. Full member and associate member organizations pay annual dues based on their organizational budget size.
2. Government Funding: ARAISA receives government funding for settlement services delivery and various programs. The organization is funded by IRCC and other government sources to support the settlement and integration sector in Atlantic Canada.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ARAISA is a non-profit umbrella association that supports approximately 40 immigrant- and refugee-serving agencies across Atlantic Canada. It delivers capacity-building services including professional development events, webinars, and self-paced online courses; coordinates sector-wide programs such as the Migrant Worker Support Program, SWIS Regional Coordination, and the Equity Project; publishes resources and data products; and represents member interests at regional and national policy tables.

Product overview

ARAISA operates as a non-profit umbrella organization serving as a collective voice and forum for immigrant serving agencies in Atlantic Canada. Rather than a single unified product, ARAISA offers a portfolio of programs and services including professional development events, webinars, and self-paced online courses (such as Innovating for Impact and GBA Plus training); resource tools like the Service Locator Map, EDI/Anti-Racism planning resources, and the Shaping Perspectives communications toolkit; publications including the quarterly Atlantic Immigration Spotlight on Data and the Library of sector reports; and specialized programs such as SWIS Regional Coordination, the Equity Project, the Migrant Worker Support Program (Better Together), AIP Settlement Support, and the national GBA Plus Capacity Project. These offerings work together to support member organizations through capacity building, networking, policy advocacy, and knowledge sharing across the settlement and integration sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARAISA Membership Annual membership in two tiers (Full and Associate) for incorporated not-for-profit settlement and integration service providers, umbrella organizations, and Local Immigration Partnerships in Atlantic Canada, providing access to professional development, networking, policy representation, and sector information.
• Professional Development Events In-person and virtual professional development events for front-line workers, managers, and team leads in the settlement and integration sector, covering topics such as communication, governance, frontline diversity support, and RAP staff training.
• Webinars Online professional development sessions covering topics including AI and communications, data for funding proposals, cybersecurity, GBA Plus tools, and migrant worker support, available as live sessions or replay recordings.
• Online Courses Self-paced online courses for settlement and integration professionals including Innovating for Impact, Foundations of Evaluation, Building Welcoming Workplaces, Embracing Welcoming Workplaces, and GBA Plus introduction courses.
• SWIS Regional Coordination Regional coordination of the Settlement Workers in Schools initiative across Atlantic provinces to ensure consistent service delivery and national coherence for school-based settlement programming.
• Equity Project Partnership with NBMC to build capacity and support better access to funding for grassroots organizations serving newcomers in Atlantic Canada through mentorship, group learning, and funding opportunities.
• AIP Settlement Support Program providing information and resources to help service providers and employers navigate the Atlantic Immigration Program, including intercultural competency training materials and facilitator resources.
• Migrant Worker Support Program (Better Together) Program providing migrant workers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island with information about their rights, support services, and access to resources through partnership with six sub-agreement holders.
• Enhancing National Sector GBA Plus Capacity Project National initiative bringing together seven umbrella organizations to enhance Gender-Based Analysis Plus integration into settlement sector programs, policies, and procedures across Canada.
• Refugee Youth Employment Framework Practical framework and research report developed in partnership with ISANS for designing employment programs tailored to refugee youth, including thematic infographics and evidence-based practices.
• Service Locator Map Interactive geographic mapping tool to navigate the immigrant and refugee-serving sector in Atlantic Canada, showing locations of service providers across provinces.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150 attendees, 90 organizations, and 8/10 satisfaction rating at At Home in the Atlantic conference
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Project lead for the Enhancing National Sector Gender-Based Analysis Plus Capacity project. ARAISA participates as one of 7 partner umbrella organizations.
• Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Co-lead organization for the Enhancing National Sector GBA Plus Capacity project alongside AAISA.
• Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies (SAISIA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Partner in the national GBA Plus Capacity project bringing together 7 umbrella organizations.
• Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Partner in the national GBA Plus Capacity project.
• Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Partner in the national GBA Plus Capacity project.
• Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Francophone partner in the national GBA Plus Capacity project.
• YMCA of Greater Halifax/DartmouthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2022MWSP sub-agreement holder providing services to migrant workers in Nova Scotia.
• Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova ScotiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2022MWSP partner providing support and services to migrant workers in Nova Scotia.
• Madhu Verma Migrant Justice CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2022MWSP partner providing migrant worker support services in New Brunswick.
• Miramichi Regional Multicultural AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2022MWSP partner providing migrant worker support services in New Brunswick.
• Cooper InstitutecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2022MWSP partner providing migrant worker support services in Prince Edward Island.
• PEI Community NavigatorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2022MWSP partner providing migrant worker support services in Prince Edward Island.
• Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARAISA is a member of the CCR, a national non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for refugees and vulnerable migrants in Canada and worldwide.
• National Settlement and Integration Council (NSIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn alliance of sector organizations, provincial and federal governments that work together on integration and settlement issues in Canada. ARAISA participates as a member organization.
• Pathways to ProsperitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn alliance of university, community, and government partners focusing on fostering welcoming communities and promoting the integration of immigrants and minorities in Canada.
• Settlement and Integration Policy and Program Committee (SIPPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA committee of 15 umbrella organizations across Canada mandated to identify emerging trends and issues related to federal settlement and resettlement services for newcomers.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARAISA works with IRCC on various programs including GAR-RAP Working Group, Atlantic Immigration Program support, and settlement sector coordination.
• New Brunswick Multicultural Council (NBMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARAISA partners with NBMC on the Equity Project to work with grassroots organizations and build capacity for better access to funding.
• Saint John Newcomers CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional pilot partner for GBA Plus tools and resources testing in Atlantic Canada.
• Association for New CanadiansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional pilot partner for GBA Plus tools and resources testing in Atlantic Canada.
• Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in refugee youth employment programs including the Immigrant Youth Employment Program (IYEP) and Immigrant Youth Career Exploration Program (IYCEP).
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARAISA has been involved with the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) since its pilot stage, supporting program development, writing reports, and issuing certificates of completion to employers.
• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernmental body working to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada. A partnership between IRCC, Atlantic provinces, employers and SPOs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Settlement and Integration Council (NSIC): NSIC is a national alliance of sector organizations, provincial/territorial and federal governments working on settlement and integration issues. ARAISA participates as a member; NSIC's broader national convening role places it above the regional peer set.
• Pathways to Prosperity (P2P): P2P is a national alliance of university, community, and government partners focused on immigrant integration and welcoming communities. ARAISA is a partner organization, but P2P's research-and-policy mandate and national footprint make it a broader incumbent rather than a direct peer.
• Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR): CCR is the national-level refugee and immigrant advocacy coalition of which ARAISA is a member. CCR operates at a broader national scale than ARAISA's regional umbrella role and provides the federal-level policy voice that ARAISA plugs into.

Regional players

• Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes (TCRI): TCRI is Quebec's provincial umbrella for refugee and immigrant-serving agencies, performing an analogous role to ARAISA in a different (predominantly Francophone) region. TCRI's French-language mandate and Quebec-centric policy focus make it a regional peer rather than a direct Atlantic competitor.

Direct peers

• Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI): OCASI is Ontario's provincial umbrella council for immigrant-serving agencies, the largest such body in Canada. OCASI is a partner on the national GBA Plus Capacity project alongside ARAISA and is a direct functional peer despite a much larger membership base.
• Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA): AAISA is the provincial umbrella association for immigrant-serving agencies in Alberta, structurally identical to ARAISA's Atlantic Canadian model. It is a confirmed partner on ARAISA's national GBA Plus Capacity project and serves as the project's lead organization.
• Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO): MANSO is the Manitoba provincial umbrella for newcomer-serving organizations, providing member support, training, and policy advocacy in the same model as ARAISA. MANSO is a confirmed partner on ARAISA's national GBA Plus Capacity project.
• Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies (SAISIA): SAISIA is Saskatchewan's provincial umbrella for immigrant settlement and integration agencies, structurally comparable to ARAISA. SAISIA is a partner organization on the national GBA Plus Capacity project.
• Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA): AMSSA is the British Columbia provincial umbrella for immigrant- and refugee-serving agencies, mirroring ARAISA's role in Atlantic Canada. AMSSA co-leads the national GBA Plus Capacity project with AAISA and is a direct partner on ARAISA's programming.

Others

• YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth (Immigrant Services): YMCA Immigrant Services is a delivery partner (MWSP sub-agreement holder in Nova Scotia) and member of ARAISA rather than a peer. It is included as an ecosystem participant illustrating how ARAISA channels programming through member agencies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3JkyXvEFOJF3CILHqEyuhQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/araisa-atlantic-region-association-of-immigrant-serving-agencies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 ARAISA - Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies