PLATINUM2023

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

aka LIRS   |   Baltimore, MD   |  https://lirs.org/

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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

President and Chief Executive Officer

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah

Main address

700 Light Street

Baltimore, MD 21230 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

13-2574854

NTEE code info

International Migration, Refugee Issues (Q71)

Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (R01)

Human Service Organizations (P20)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The vision of LIRS is that all migrants and refugees are protected, embraced, and empowered in a world of just and welcoming communities.

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?

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. LIRS 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.

LIRS 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, LIRS 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
Refugees and displaced people
Victims of conflict and war
Ethnic and racial groups
Religious groups
LGBTQ people

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, LIRS 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.

LIRS 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.

Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Families
Children and youth
Victims and oppressed people
Foster and adoptive parents

Asylum seekers, like refugees, have fled their countries of origin and are unable to return due to persecution or violence. Unlike refugees, they request asylum upon or after arriving in the United States. Although this is their right under international law, asylum is a complex, confusing process that often takes years to complete; meanwhile, asylum seekers are not entitled to government benefits or employment that refugees receive.

Through our Welcome Centers, the LIRS asylum services network provides wraparound services and trauma-informed case management to asylum-seeking individuals and families once they have settled in communities. Current locations include Baltimore, Las Cruces (NM), Phoenix, San Antonio, and Seattle, with additional Welcome Centers opening each year.

Migrants just released from detention at America's southern border may visit our respite centers for up to 72 hours of shelter, meals, showers, legal rights orientation, travel coordination, and more.

Population(s) Served
Asylum seekers
Refugees and displaced people
Victims and oppressed people
Detainees
Immigrants

New American Cities is an innovative new program from LIRS that transforms the lives of refugees and the cities they call home by promoting economic empowerment, social mobility, and diverse, inclusive communities.

Under the U.S. refugee resettlement program, refugees must accept the first job offer they receive. Such jobs are usually entry-level positions with long hours and low pay, leaving little opportunity for refugees to save money, utilize skills and experience gained in their home countries, or dream for the future. New American Cities features individualized career navigation services for refugees, pathway builders who can connect them with employers, and a network of champions who will challenge negative narratives about refugees and create opportunities for social connections in workplaces, neighborhoods, and beyond.

Population(s) Served
Refugees and displaced people
Victims of conflict and war
Economically disadvantaged people
Immigrants
Unemployed people

Where we work

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.

Number of American's Resettled

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Ethnic and racial groups

Related Program

Refugee Resettlement

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of Vulnerable Children that were Reunited with Family in the U.S.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Children and youth

Related Program

Children and Family Services

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of Individuals that were Assisted at the Southern Boarder

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families

Related Program

Refugee Resettlement

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Money Raised in Support of our Immigrant and Refugee Neighbors

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families, Immigrants and migrants

Related Program

Refugee Resettlement

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of Volunteers

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Ethnic and racial groups, Adults

Related Program

Refugee Resettlement

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

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.

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.

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.

LIRS has welcomed more than 500,000 refugees to the United States through the initiative of Lutheran congregations that inspired our formation in 1939. More than eight decades later, Lutheran and other faith communities remain our vital partners as we continue to welcome newcomers.

Informed by our faith and our wealth of experience with migrants and refugees, LIRS has proven able to respond to people caught in conflict and facing persecution. LIRS has developed new service programs, birthed new service organizations, and influenced public policy in the best interests of those we serve. Our areas of expertise include children's services, community integration, refugee resettlement, and access to justice.

LIRS has grown from around 80 employees in 2020 to nearly 500 in 2023. We partner with more than 50 local organizations and programs across 35 states. Our work was made possible thanks in part to more than 100 advocates in the LIRS Ambassador Network, some 50,000 volunteers, and donors whose generosity combined amounted to $21.8 million in private funding.

In 2022, LIRS:
- Resettled 4,966 refugees from Afghanistan (2,479), Burma (613), Syria (561), Ukraine (378), Iraq (161), and other nations (774) through our nationwide partner network.
- Served 12,021 individuals fleeing the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan through the Afghan Placement and Assistance Program.
- Reunited 8,454 unaccompanied migrant children reunite with family members in the U.S.
- Provided loving homes for 2,325 children through foster care services.
- Welcomed 18,261 asylum seekers and supported six Welcome Centers in Las Cruces (NM), New York, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Antonio, and Seattle.
- Launched innovative new programs like New American Cities, an economic empowerment and social mobility program that served 341 refugees and immigrants.
- Advocated for just and sensible immigration policies through 384 meetings with congressional offices, 7,241 messages from constituents to elected officials, and more than 9,052 appearances and mentions in national and local media.
- Received a gift of $15 million - the largest single donation in LIRS' 80+ years.

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

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

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
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

Board of directors
as of 08/09/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Ms. Elizabeth Wagner

Senior Vice President and Director, Institutional Wealth Management, Bryn Mawr Trust Company (Princeton, NJ)

Term: 2018 - 2023

Matuor Alier

Director, Diversity, and Inclusion, Moorhead (MN) Public Schools

Diane Batchik

Independent Advisor, Diane Batchik Consulting

Bishop Paul Erickson

Bishop, Greater Milwaukee Synod of the ELCA

Dr. Viji George

President Emeritus, Concordia College (Bronxville, NY), Retired

Rev. Dr. Yared Halche

Facilitator for Mission Engagement, Southeastern District of the LCMS

Virginia Hultquist

Manager for Lutheran Engagement (retired), Thrivent Financial

John R Moeller, Jr.

CEO, Inspiritus

Bryn Parchman

CEO (retired), Port Discovery Museum

Dr. Diana Pohle

Associate Director, Market Intelligence, Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Michele Speaks

Co-Chair, Warnock Foundation

Dennis Wieckert

Certified Public Accountant (retired)

Muhsin Hassan

Awards Director, Lever for Change

Clarence Smith

VP, Operational Risk Manager at Huntington National Bank

Elizabeth Wagner

Senior Vice President and Director, Institutional Wealth Management Bryn Mawr Trust Company

Eddie Resende

Vice Chair, CO-CEO World Trade Center Institute

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

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 8/2/2023

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 (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 05/23/2023

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.