HIAS Welcomes Generous Financial Support from MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett
Jun 15, 2021
SILVER SPRING, Md. — HIAS, the Jewish humanitarian organization, announced that it has received a transformational grant from philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett as part of their giving to support and advance a more just, equitable and welcoming world. This very significant gift demonstrates confidence in HIAS’ more than 100-year history of seeking safety, welcome and opportunity for people fleeing persecution and violence. This gift will support the organization’s transformation from the Jewish refugee resettlement agency to the Jewish organization that responds to refugee and other forced displacement emergencies around the world.
“Because community-centered service is such a powerful catalyst and multiplier, we spent the first quarter of 2021 identifying and evaluating equity-oriented non-profit teams working in areas that have been neglected,” said Scott in her Medium post about the grants. “We chose to make relatively large gifts to the [organizations], both to enable their work, and as a signal of trust and encouragement, to them and to others."
“We are honored that MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett recognize that HIAS and its mission are worthy of investment,” said Mark Hetfield, the president and CEO of HIAS. “We thank them and all our supporters who trust us to steward their support to meet the needs of refugees and others who are displaced. HIAS has been broadening our programmatic, advocacy and geographic reach to help people find safety, welcome, and opportunity wherever they are. With this investment, HIAS will accelerate our work to build the platform we need to respond to refugee emergencies wherever they arise and whenever we can help.”
For more than 100 years, HIAS has supported refugees when and where they need help most. HIAS works in the United States and 15 other countries, providing vital services to refugees and asylum seekers of all faiths so they can rebuild their lives. HIAS believes that all refugees, when given access to the rights and opportunities to live, work, and learn in safety and freedom, can rebuild their lives, contribute to their new communities, and thrive.
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HIAS is an international Jewish humanitarian organization that provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers in 16 countries. We advocate for the rights of refugees to rebuild their lives and seek to create a world in which they find safety, welcome, and opportunity. Learn more at hias.org