Global Refuge - GuideStar Profile
GuideStar
Global Refuge
Welcoming Newcomers Since 1939
Baltimore, MD
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Mission
As a witness to God’s love for all people, we stand with and advocate for migrants and refugees, transforming communities through ministries of service and justice.
Ruling year
info
1972
CEO
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah
Main address
700 Light St
Baltimore, MD 21230-3850 USA
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Contact Information
Contact
Email contact available with a
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Physical Address
700 Light St
Baltimore, MD 21230-3850
Payment Address
PO Box 17467
Baltimore, MD 21297-1467
Donation Payable
Legal name of organization: Global Refuge
EIN for payable organization: 13-2574854
Formerly known as
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)
EIN
13-2574854
NTEE code
info
International Migration, Refugee Issues (Q71)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
There are currently more people around the world displaced by persecution, conflict, and disasters than at any time in human history. At the end of 2023, they numbered above 110 million, with new crises emerging seemingly every day.
For 85 years, Global Refuge has offered hope, safety, and welcome to refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants as they rebuild their lives in the United States.
Our programs
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success,
and who do the programs serve?
Immigration Legal Services
Access to legal representation can help individuals secure critical documentation and work authorization more quickly – benefiting newcomers and their receiving communities. However, challenges such as a shortage of non-profit immigration legal service providers often leave many newcomers underserved. Our immigration legal services program offers high-quality immigration legal services from a trauma-informed and culturally proficient perspective. We understand that access to immigration legal protections can increase employment/economic stability, open doors for academic achievement, and improve physical and mental health. That is why we are committed to using the U.S. Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation program to build legal services capacity and to ensure services are provided by individuals with lived experience. As a faith-based, non-profit organization we are committed to providing these services at no cost or low cost to our clients.
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Camino a Casa
Unfortunately, under current U.S. immigration law, many are quickly returned to their home country. But we believe that a better life is still possible—especially for children and young adults. Through compassionate individualized support, our repatriation program helps youth in Guatemala and Mexico achieve their goals and build a brighter future at home. Operating in multiple cities, the Camino a Casa program provides support to youth in Guatemala and Mexico for up to twelve months to ensure successful reintegration. In conjunction with local partners, the program offers a wide array of clinical support, case management services, and referrals tailored to the unique needs of minors, as well as supplementary income and connections to community resources. Each youth receives an individualized service plan that focuses on their specific goals, including services such as support for family reunification, educational support, and vocational training, among others.
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Victims of conflict and war
Mental Health
Mental healthcare for refugees and immigrants is a critical aspect of the transition to a new life. Global Refuge believes that mental healthcare is a critical part of achieving stability and success in the United States. Through our mental health services programs, we offer essential care for immigrant and refugee individuals and children—resulting in holistic improvements in family stabilization, access to immigration legal protections, academic achievement, employment/economic stability, improved physical health, as well as reductions in family violence, substance use disorders, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Appropriate mental healthcare for refugees and immigrants supports positive engagement in their new communities.
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Victims of conflict and war
New American Lending
New American Lending is a nonprofit lender and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that financially empowers refugees and other immigrants. The program offers personal and business loans that would usually be very difficult to obtain, promoting economic and personal security, increasing individual quality of life, enabling greater contribution to local communities, and allowing full participation in the American Dream.
Population(s) Served
New American Careers
New American Careers builds strong connections between immigrant and refugee jobseekers and companies invested in strengthening and diversifying our American workforce. As a recruitment firm that provides meaningful job readiness, secure placement, and economic empowerment, New American Careers works with a growing number of organizations including hospitality, information technology, healthcare, and third-party logistics companies.
Population(s) Served
Children and Family Services
Each year, thousands of migrant children enter the United States alone, without parents or other adult caregivers to accompany them. These journeys are often dangerous, and families may become separated along the way. As a trusted partner of the U.S. government, Global Refuge works to unite unaccompanied children with their families of origin whenever possible. When it isn't possible, we match each child with a loving foster home that is well-equipped to care for them. Global Refuge also offers mental health services at no cost to refugee and migrant families, many of whom have experienced significant trauma and are often prevented from seeking care due to linguistic, cultural, and financial barriers. The Camino a Casa program also provides repatriation support to youth for up to twelve months, offering each youth an individualized service plan that focuses on their specific goals, supplemented with clinical support, case management services, and community resources.
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Refugees and displaced people
Victims of violence or disasters
Foster and adoptive parents
Refugee Resettlement
Refugees are children, women, and men who have been forced to flee their countries of origin due to credible fear of persecution for reasons that may include their race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or political beliefs. Global Refuge receives and places refugees in more than 50 communities throughout the United States in partnership with the U.S. State Department and the United Nations. Global Refuge believes that every human being should be afforded the same protection we would want for our own loved ones. Together with local partner organizations and volunteers, Global Refuge offers newly arrived refugees a warm welcome. We meet immediate needs, such as housing, transportation, and access to medical care, as well as long-term needs and community connections in the hopes that our newest neighbors will find peace and prosperity once again.
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Economically disadvantaged people
Refugees and displaced people
Victims of conflict and war
Ethnic and racial groups
Where we work
Guatemala
Mexico
United States
Awards
International Buisness Leadership Award
2023
World Trade Center Institute
Affiliations & memberships
Lutheran Services in America
1939
Our results
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reports
Number of people assisted by International Programs
This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Related Program
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Context Notes
Loans distributed to New Americans
This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Related Program
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Context Notes
Number of Children and Families Served
This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Related Program
Children and Family Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Number of Volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Related Program
Refugee Resettlement
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of Refugees Resettled
This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Related Program
Refugee Resettlement
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Goals & Strategy
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Basic human needs — developing sustainable approaches for migrants and refugees to access food, health, housing and jobs.
Protection and justice — ensuring that policies and programs are just and protective of migrants and refugees who face the greatest risks, and that human rights are advanced through providing legal services, advocating for legal reform, and pursuing systemic change.
Children and families — providing care and protection, promoting family unity, and strengthening international families.
Integration — building welcoming and inclusive communities that reach out to those at risk.
Leadership and influence — acting and speaking with courage and integrity, building capacity and supporting the leadership of others.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Champion: Stand and advocate for our client audiences. | Champion immigration issues on behalf of vulnerable populations.
Deliver: Strengthen affiliate networks with other opportunities. | Deliver distinguished programs through affiliates & a variety of innovative service models.
Culture: Empowered learning, organizational growth. | Develop a culture of learning, connectivity, and purpose to facilitate strategic sustainable growth.
Funding: Develop diversified funding sources. | Diversify and expand sources of funding to maximize organizational impact.
Trailblaze: Incubate and expand new services. | Trailblaze new programs and initiatives to shape and adapt to the changing immigration landscape.
How we listen
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
done
We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done
We shared information about our current feedback practices.
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
Global Refuge
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Board of directors
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees
Highest paid employees
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro.
Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Global Refuge
Board of directors
as of
03/25/2026
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Bishop Paul Erickson
DIRECTOR
Bishop Sue Briner
Bryn Parchman
DIRECTOR
Clarance Smith
DIRECTOR
Diane Batchik
DIRECTOR
Habib Enayetullah
Jay Ellwanger
Matuor Alier
DIRECTOR
Muhsin Hassan
DIRECTOR
Nathan T. Glusenkamp
Ginny Price
Yared Halche
Khader El-Yateem
Rogers Smith
Sarah Gerth van den Berg
Board leadership practices
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader
in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations?
yes
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ?
yes
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year?
yes
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership?
yes
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years?
yes
Organizational demographics
info
Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities?
Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Asian/Asian American
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
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