Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc.

What Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. does

Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. (KRM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 in Louisville, Kentucky, and the largest refugee resettlement agency in the state. It operates three offices covering Louisville (headquarters), Lexington, and Northern Kentucky (Covington), with a staff of 100+ employees and a network of 300+ employer partners. Since inception, KRM has welcomed more than 40,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from over 19 countries of origin. It is a local affiliate of Church World Service (CWS), a national resettlement agency contracted by the U.S. Department of State to deliver the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and is funded through a combination of federal pass-through grants (State/PRM, HHS/ORR, HUD, DHS), the Kentucky Office for Refugees, foundation and corporate grants (Humana Foundation, Metro United Way, Community Foundation of Louisville), individual donations, co-sponsorship commitments, and fee-based interpretive services.

KRM's service portfolio is comprehensive and integrated across the resettlement lifecycle: housing placement, documentation and benefits enrollment, ESL and cultural orientation, employment services (1,845 placements and 96% minimum 90-day retention in FY 2024), family and youth programming (Family Center, New Beginnings Tutoring, Super Saturday College & Career Readiness, Rise Up), a refugee elder program, health and wellness case management, immigration legal services, citizenship preparation, fee-based language interpretation in 50+ languages, and arts & culture programming (Art Makes Home, KRM Live). Core technology consists of standard nonprofit case management and donor management systems, the LSP-Ware scheduling platform for the Language Services division, and Stripe/PayPal for online donation processing. No proprietary technology platform, AI capability, or external API is operated.

KRM's revenue mechanics are predominantly grant- and donation-driven. Federal pass-through funding is paired with the organization's role as a CWS affiliate, which is the gating credential for receiving refugee case-loads. Non-grant revenue streams include a $2,500-per-family co-sponsorship financial commitment (currently paused), fee-based immigration legal services, and fee-based interpreter services offered to healthcare, legal, and government clients. Distribution is entirely direct: services are delivered in person at the three offices and partner community sites, and client acquisition is driven by federal referrals, faith-community co-sponsorship networks, and word-of-mouth. The Co-Sponsorship Program was paused in 2025 amid historic low federal refugee admissions, and KRM pivoted the volunteer infrastructure into a new Skilled Neighbors program serving existing clients.

Name

Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc.

Legal name

Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc.

Website

https://kyrm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kentucky Refugee Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 and the largest refugee resettlement agency in Kentucky, operating from offices in Louisville, Lexington, and Covington. It delivers ESL, employment, housing, legal, health, and youth services to refugees and immigrants while serving 300+ employer partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Resettlement and Immigrant Integration Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN), Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services (BPADAHAE), Immigrant & Refugee Community Education (Integration/Navigation) (EDAAAFAH)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Immigration legal services
• ESL and cultural orientation
• Refugee employment placement
• Interpreter language services

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: Funding from U.S. Dept. of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement; U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security; U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development; Kentucky Office for Refugees
2. Foundation and Corporate Funding: Grants from foundations including Humana Foundation, Blue Grass Community Foundation, Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky, and others; corporate partnerships
3. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals; recurring donation options available; donor-advised fund gifts; stock donations; planned giving
4. Co-Sponsorship Program: Co-sponsors make a financial commitment of $2,500 for assistance to families; organized groups from faith communities, businesses, civic organizations
5. Interpreter Services: Fee-based interpreter services for businesses and service providers in Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky; supports over 50 languages

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kentucky Refugee Ministries delivers a comprehensive suite of refugee resettlement and integration services across three Kentucky offices (Louisville, Lexington, Covington). Offerings include housing placement, documentation and benefits enrollment, ESL and cultural orientation, employment placement and retention, family and youth services, elder programs, health and wellness case management, immigration legal services, interpreter services in 50+ languages, and arts and culture programming. KRM also operates a co-sponsorship program connecting community groups with refugee families and accepts donations of furniture and goods.

Product overview

Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM) offers a comprehensive suite of refugee resettlement and support services operating across three Kentucky offices (Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky/Covington). The organization's product portfolio centers on a service-delivery model rather than a technology platform, encompassing ESL & Cultural Orientation instruction, Employment Services with job placement and retention support, Family & Youth Services (including the Family Center early childhood program, tutoring/mentoring, and college readiness), the Elder Program for refugees ages 60+, Health & Wellness case management, Immigration Legal Services, Language/Interpreter Services supporting 60+ languages, and Arts & Culture programming (Art Makes Home). Additional offerings include a Co-Sponsorship Program connecting community groups with refugee families, item donations coordination, and funding/donation acceptance. KRM operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with Church World Service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Art Makes Home: KRM arts & culture program that provides opportunities to experience global arts and serves as a vital component for strengthening connectedness, fostering understanding, preserving cultural tradition and elevating cultural awareness throughout the community.
• KRM Live
• Family Center
• New Beginnings Tutoring/Mentoring Program
• Super Saturday College & Career Readiness Program
• Rise Up Educational Access Program

Products and services

• ESL & Cultural Orientation English as a Second Language instruction and cultural navigation classes that support daily life in the U.S. and long-term growth for refugee clients. Includes practical, job-related English curriculum and cultural orientation covering health, employment, housing, banking, and more.
• Employment Services Job development and placement services connecting employable refugee adults to employment. Includes World of Work Orientations, job placement assistance, transportation support, orientation and training, and retention support with a reported 96% retention rate.
• Family & Youth Services Academic and school support services for refugee students and families including school registration, tutoring/mentoring, out-of-school-time programming, the Family Center for mothers and children ages 0-5, New Beginnings Tutoring/Mentoring, Super Saturday College & Career Readiness, and Rise Up Educational Access Program.
• Refugee Elder Program Support services for refugee elders (ages 60+) including ESL classes, citizenship instruction, gentle fitness exercises, and educational/recreational field trips. Currently available at Louisville office for Jefferson County refugees.
• Health & Wellness Services Medical case management and mental health support built on trauma-informed care and cultural competency. Services include health screenings coordination, follow-up referrals, wellness groups, VOCA victim advocacy programming, and coordination with Medicaid and local clinics.
• Art Makes Home (Arts & Culture) Arts and culture programming that provides refugee and immigrant artists with platforms to showcase their artistry. Includes KRM Live quarterly showcases, collaborative community projects, and the Art Makes Home public art installation project.
• Immigration Legal Services Fee-based immigration legal services including consultations, Employment Authorization Documents, travel documents, green cards, family reunification, citizenship/naturalization classes, asylum cases, U/T/VAWA cases, and I601A waivers.
• Language Services (Interpreter Services) Interpreter services program providing experienced interpreters for businesses and service providers throughout Kentucky. Offers in-person, over-the-phone, and video remote interpretation in over 50 languages including rare and uncommon languages.
• Co-Sponsorship Program Formalized welcoming program connecting community volunteer groups (faith communities, businesses, civic organizations) with refugee families for approximately four to six months. Co-sponsors provide financial commitment ($2,500), household goods, airport welcome, and ongoing support. Currently paused; replaced by Skilled Neighbors program.
• Donations Program Accepts donated furniture, household items, and seasonal goods (winter coats, shoes, school supplies) for refugee families. Coordinates Amazon Wish Lists for specific needs and manages a donations warehouse for furniture pickup/drop-off.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% job retention rate at 90+ days in FY 2024 with 1,845 placements
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

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

• Church World Service (CWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKRM is a local affiliate of Church World Service, a national resettlement agency. National resettlement agencies partner with the US State Department to deliver resettlement services in local communities as part of the US Refugee Admissions Program.
• U.S. Dept. of State: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and MigrationcoreOthersFederal government partner providing primary funding for refugee resettlement operations through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
• U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services: Office of Refugee ResettlementcoreOthersFederal funding partner providing grants through the Office of Refugee Resettlement for resettlement services and programs.
• Kentucky Office for RefugeescoreOthersState government partner providing federal pass-through funding and coordination for refugee services in Kentucky.
• AmazonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer partner hiring refugee employees through KRM job development services across multiple Kentucky locations.
• GE AppliancesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor manufacturing employer partner with significant commitment to hiring KRM refugee clients for workforce needs.
• Humana Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner that has co-sponsored refugee families and supports KRM programming through employee volunteerism and corporate giving.
• Louisville Metro Government Office of Immigrant AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner providing external agency funds and collaborating on immigrant services and advocacy.
• Jefferson County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district providing space for ESL and Cultural Orientation programming; collaborative efforts for refugee student support.
• Louisville Free Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing presentations at Cultural Orientations and hosting citizenship classes.
• Family Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing presentations at Cultural Orientations and serving refugee clients.
• American Immigration Lawyers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association partner supporting immigration legal services and policy advocacy.
• Highland Presbyterian ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding faith community that created KRM and continues as active co-sponsor and community partner.
• Doe-AndersonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvertising agency that produced a co-sponsorship video to share their experiences and promote the program.
• Beargrass Christian Church Pedal Power ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner that refurbishes and donates bicycles to KRM for refugee transportation to work.
• Central Louisville Community Ministries' Clothing ClosetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing clothing resources to refugee clients when KRM cannot accept clothing donations.
• Americana Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner site for ESL instruction and Family Center programming; provides space for citizenship classes.
• Louisville OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts partner for KRM Live performances and Art Makes Home cultural programming.
• Bernheim ForestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts and culture partner hosting Art Makes Home installations.
• Logan Street MarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner venue for Art Makes Home programming and refugee entrepreneur opportunities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Church World Service: KRM's national parent affiliate and one of nine U.S. Refugee Admissions Program agencies. Delivers resettlement, immigration, and humanitarian services across multiple states, providing direct functional and operational comparability.
• World Relief: Evangelical-affiliated refugee resettlement agency with affiliates delivering resettlement, ESL, employment, and immigration legal services. Comparable service portfolio and federal contract delivery role.
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants: National refugee resettlement and advocacy organization operating local affiliates that deliver resettlement, employment, and integration services. Operates a similar affiliate-network model with overlapping federal funding sources.
• International Rescue Committee: One of the largest U.S. refugee resettlement agencies, offering a comparable suite of resettlement, employment, education, and immigration legal services. Operates at national scale across multiple states, serving as the most direct nonprofit counterpart to KRM's full-service model.
• HIAS: Jewish-American refugee resettlement agency providing reception, integration, legal, and employment services to refugees and asylum seekers across the U.S. Directly comparable in mission, service mix, and federal contract delivery role.
• Ethiopian Community Development Council: Refugee resettlement agency with national affiliate network providing resettlement, employment, and integration services. Comparable in scale, federal funding exposure, and service mix.

Emerging players

• Hello Neighbor: Pittsburgh-based nonprofit supporting refugee newcomers through mentorship, social services, and employment support. Comparable in mission and service areas but smaller and more focused on a mentor-match model.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Large national network providing refugee resettlement among a much broader portfolio of social services. Operates diocesan affiliates (e.g., Catholic Charities of Louisville) that may directly overlap KRM's territory and service offerings.

Regional players

• RefugeeOne: Chicago-based refugee resettlement and social services agency offering resettlement, employment, legal, and ESL services. Comparable mission and service model but operating in a different geography.
• Jewish Family & Career Services: Regional social services organization offering refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, ESL, and employment support in specific U.S. metros. Comparable service portfolio but bounded geographically.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/KyRefugee
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClo2qbJT5hjmZlFouhZEBwA
• Facebookfacebook.com/KentuckyRefugeeMinistries
• Instagraminstagram.com/kentuckyrefugeeministries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kentucky-refugee-ministries

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 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 Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc.