The Matching Grant program helps refugees and other ORR-eligible populations overcome barriers and quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to become economically self-sufficient through employment within 240 days and without accessing cash assistance programs.
The program is a public/private partnership enabling communities to become directly involved in supporting refugees through donations, volunteer support, and mentorship.
Participating in the Program
Matching Grant program participants must meet certain employment requirements and must enroll within 31 days after their date of arrival or eligibility.
The program works closely with clients, providing:
- Case management
- Employment skills training
- Job referrals
- Family budget planning
The program also helps refugees with:
- Housing, utilities, and food
- Transportation
- Health and medical
- English language training
- Social adjustment and other services
Program Administration
The Matching Grant program is provided solely through eight nonprofit organizations.
Resettlement Agencies
- Bethany Christian Services: Grand Rapids, MI
- Church World Service: New York, NY
- Ethiopian Community Development Council: Arlington, VA
- Global Refuge: Baltimore MD (formerly LIRS)
- HIAS: Silver Spring, MD
- International Rescue Committee: New York, NY
- U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants: Arlington, VA
- World Relief: Baltimore, MD
These resettlement agencies in turn work with local service providers across the country, and enroll clients who are interested in the program after an orientation to their options for employment programs.
Grant recipients agree to match ORR direct client assistance funding with cash and in-kind contributions of goods and services from the community at a rate of $1 for every $2 in federal funding.
For information on Matching Grant program eligibility, required program services, and service locations, contact one of the resettlement agencies listed above.
Matching Grant Study
ORR and ACF’s Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) assessed Matching Grant program information and data. One brief summarizes the challenges and lessons learned in securing matching funds and creating successful partnerships. The other brief explains how supplementing programmatic data led to a better understanding of program operations (PDF).