National Network for Immigrants and Refugees - Canada

What National Network for Immigrants and Refugees - Canada does

National Network for Immigrants and Refugees-Canada (NNIR-Canada) is a Toronto-based, Black refugee youth-led nonprofit organization incorporated in Ontario, Canada, that delivers holistic settlement, mental health, employment, advocacy, and sexual health services to Black immigrants and refugees in Canada. Its core service portfolio comprises four programmatic pillars — Health and Wellness (one-on-one mental health support with culturally competent psychologists), Newcomer Settlement/Case Management (immigration support, housing, employment, advocacy referrals), Education and Job Training (individualized career support), and Advocacy and Policy Reform — supplemented by two sub-branded initiatives: United for Change (HIV/sexual health outreach through Peer Outreach Workers in shelters) and Ubuntu League (a youth-led football, wellness, and leadership program). Signature community events include an annual gala, Black History Month celebrations, the Ubuntu League football initiative, and the U=U Intergenerational Festival scheduled for September 25, 2026, which is co-developed with nine partner organizations including the Canadian AIDS Society, Africans In Partnership Against AIDS, and Toronto People With AIDS Foundation.

The organization operates without proprietary technology; service delivery is human-mediated via in-person sessions at its 64 Wellesley St. E headquarters, phone (437 263 9302), email ([email protected]), shelter-based peer outreach, and an online client intake form. Its commercial structure is non-revenue-generating: all services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries, and operating funding is sourced entirely from philanthropic channels — individual donations via Donorbox, corporate sponsorship (Microsoft is the only named corporate partner), in-kind contributions of goods and services, and event-based sponsorship from partner organizations. Government engagement is visible through Canada Service Corps support and the Speaker of the House of Commons' participation at the official launch, but no specific institutional grant amounts are disclosed.

NNIR-Canada is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Alex Ahabwe with Taty Watts Burke as Co-Chair, supported by a Treasurer (Akua Darko), Secretary (Ana Morena), and additional Board Member (Antonio Bernard), with Founder & Executive Director Raymond Gukiina leading operations alongside two program managers. The organization markets itself through organic social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram), a blog, and newsletter, and positions itself under the 'Built for Us, By Us' brand thesis emphasizing cultural authenticity, lived-experience staff, and African-language service delivery as its primary differentiation from generic settlement agencies.

Name

National Network for Immigrants and Refugees - Canada

Legal name

National Network for Immigrants and Refugees-Canada

Website

https://nnircanada.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

National Network for Immigrants and Refugees-Canada (NNIR-Canada) is a Toronto-based, Black refugee youth-led nonprofit providing free settlement, mental health, employment, advocacy, and sexual health services to Black immigrants and refugees in Canada, funded by donations and corporate sponsorship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee and Immigrant Settlement Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN)

Keywords

• Settlement services
• Refugee support
• Mental health services
• Employment assistance
• Community advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization accepts donations through Donorbox platform (donorbox.org/bridges-to-belonging), positioning donations as a way for supporters to contribute to programs supporting Black immigrants and refugees in Canada.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: NNIR-Canada receives sponsorship support from corporate partners including Microsoft, as well as in-kind donations of goods and services from partners and the community.
3. In-Kind Contributions: The organization accepts in-kind donations including clothing, food, and other essential supplies which are distributed to clients. These contributions enhance service delivery without direct monetary exchange.
4. Partnerships and Event Sponsorships: The organization develops long-term partnerships with organizations and financial sponsorship or in-kind donations for programs, workshops, and events.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NNIR-Canada is a Black refugee youth-led nonprofit organization that provides settlement, mental health, employment, and youth advocacy services to immigrants and refugees in Canada, primarily in the Greater Toronto Area. Services are delivered through a Toronto-based team of program managers and a volunteer Board of Directors, combining direct casework and community-based programming with advocacy on behalf of newcomers.

Product overview

The National Network for Immigrants and Refugees-Canada (NNIR) is a Black refugee-led non-profit organization offering a portfolio of holistic support services and programs for Black immigrants and refugees in Canada. The core offerings include: Health and Wellness Program (mental health support with culturally competent psychologists), Newcomer Settlement Program/Case Management (tailored immigration support, housing, employment assistance), Education and Job Training Program (one-on-one career and employment support), and Advocacy and Policy Reform initiatives. The organization also runs specialized programs such as the Ubuntu League (football/wellness/leadership), United for Change (sexual health/HIV prevention), U=U Intergenerational Festival 2026, and internship/volunteer opportunities. These services are delivered through community engagement, partnerships with healthcare providers, and direct client support, unified under the mission of empowering Black immigrants and refugees through the 'Built for Us, By Us' theme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• United for Change: NNIR-Canada's flagship sexual health project designed to increase access to HIV prevention, education, and sexual health services for refugees, immigrants, and newcomers.
• Ubuntu League

Products and services

• Settlement Services Direct support to immigrants and refugees navigating arrival and settlement in Canada, including orientation, information, and connection to community resources. Intended for newcomers, with a focus on Black refugee youth and families in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Mental Health Support Mental health and wellness support delivered in a culturally responsive manner to immigrants and refugees, addressing the psychological impacts of displacement and resettlement. Targeted at newcomer individuals and youth served by the organization.
• Employment Services Employment-related assistance for immigrants and refugees, supporting job search, workplace integration, and economic participation in Canada. Intended for newcomer job seekers in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Youth Advocacy Advocacy programming centered on Black refugee youth, amplifying youth voices and representing newcomer and refugee community interests. Targeted at young newcomers and the broader immigrant and refugee community in Canada.

Quantifiable outcome

• Peer Outreach Workers engage shelter residents in sexual health conversations and provide referrals to health services

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FrediecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2026Community partner collaborating on the U=U Intergenerational Festival 2026 focused on HIV awareness and stigma elimination.
• Community Alliance for Accessible TreatmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2026Festival collaborator working to improve access to HIV treatment and support services for immigrant and refugee communities.
• African Centre for Refugees in Ontario-CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2026Partner organization supporting the U=U Intergenerational Festival and broader mission of serving Black refugees and immigrants.
• Canadian AIDS SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2026National partner collaborating on U=U Intergenerational Festival to advance HIV prevention and education efforts.
• Toronto People With AIDS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2026Local partner for U=U Festival working to support people living with HIV and promote U=U messaging in Toronto.
• Let's Stop AIDSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2026Partner organization contributing to the U=U Intergenerational Festival's goals of ending HIV stigma.
• MOYO Health and Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2026Health and community services organization partnering on U=U Festival and wellness programming.
• Africans In Partnership Against AIDScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2026AIDS Service Organization and festival collaborator focused on the African diaspora community's response to HIV.
• MicrosoftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting NNIR-Canada operations. Microsoft logo appears among trusted partners on the organization's homepage.
• Government of CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment of Canada partnership indicated by Canada logo among trusted partners. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Hon Greg Fergus, attended NNIR's official launch as Guest of Honor.
• Canada Service CorpsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanada Service Corps provided generous support for the Pathway to Professional Growth workshop with Kojo Modeste of Pride Toronto.
• Pride TorontominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Toronto Executive Director Kojo Modeste hosted a career workshop for NNIR participants on professional development.
• Healthcare ProviderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare providers collaborate with NNIR to improve access to sexual health, mental wellness, and preventive care for Black immigrant and refugee communities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT): Long-standing Toronto AIDS service organization providing HIV prevention, harm reduction, and support programming. Comparable in HIV/AIDS service delivery and a Toronto People With AIDS Foundation partner, though it operates across all populations rather than NNIR's Black-immigrant niche.
• Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS): Toronto-based immigrant and refugee settlement agency providing case management, employment, language, and youth services. Comparable in service mix and target population but with a broader multicultural mandate rather than NNIR's Black-specific focus.
• Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR): National umbrella organization coordinating refugee-serving groups across Canada and advocating for refugee rights. Comparable through its advocacy and policy reform mandate and serves as a sector-level peer to NNIR-Canada's Black-focused refugee work.
• COSTI Immigrant Services: One of Canada's largest immigrant-serving agencies, offering settlement, language training, employment, and mental health services across the GTA. Comparable because it serves the same newcomer population in the same geography, though it operates at significantly greater scale and a broader mandate than NNIR-Canada's Black-focused niche.

Direct peers

• Africans In Partnership Against AIDS (APAA): Toronto-based AIDS Service Organization focused on African, Caribbean, and Black communities. Directly comparable as a peer in HIV prevention, sexual health education, and culturally relevant health outreach to Black immigrant and refugee populations - and an explicit festival collaborator of NNIR-Canada.
• Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA): Toronto-based HIV/AIDS support organization providing direct services and community programming to people living with HIV. Comparable as a festival collaborator in HIV awareness and a peer in U=U messaging, with overlap on community-driven HIV support programming.
• Black Health Alliance: Canadian organization focused on the health and well-being of Black communities, with research, policy, and community programming. Comparable through its focus on Black community health outcomes and culturally competent health service delivery.
• MOYO Health and Community Services: Toronto-based community health organization serving Black communities including newcomers, with peer-led HIV/STI prevention and mental wellness programming. Directly comparable as both a peer and an established festival collaborator with overlapping service lines in health, wellness, and newcomer support.
• African Centre for Refugees in Ontario-Canada: Toronto-area refugee support organization focused on African refugee communities. Directly comparable as a Black-immigrant-led refugee services organization and an explicit U=U Festival partner of NNIR-Canada.

Regional players

• Mennonite New Life Centre: Toronto-based settlement agency serving newcomers with case management, language, and employment services. Comparable in newcomer settlement service delivery within the same Toronto geography, though with a broader faith-rooted mandate rather than Black-specific focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NationalNIR
• Facebookfacebook.com/share/1Dx6FY9ZcY/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Instagraminstagram.com/nnircanada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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