Donate to The Refugee Partnership’s Crisis Response Fund

Recently resettled individuals and families in our community are at risk. Arriving as refugees, they are now at risk due to the sudden end of federal funding. There are 731 refugees in Western New York who have arrived in the last 90 days. Now it is up to us as a community to deliver on the promise America made to those recently arrived and help to make Western New York their new home.

Whether you are able to sponsor the entire cost of a new neighbor’s resettlement, or just a fraction, every dollar raised for this cause is integral to supporting refugee resettlement in our community.

Please stand with us and show your support today.

We are Grateful to Our Lead Supporters

Western New York Foundation

M&T Bank

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Health Foundation for Western and Central New York

Patrick P. Lee Foundation

The Tower Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

How Are Donations Managed?

  • Jewish Family Services of WNY is managing donations on behalf of The Refugee Partnership. Donations will be maintained in a distinct fund and shared amongst partner agencies.

  • Gifts made by check are gladly accepted. Please make checks payable to “Jewish Family Services of WNY” and put “TRP Crisis Fund” in the memo field. Checks can be mailed to Jewish Family Services of WNY, 70 Barker Street, Buffalo, NY, 14209.

  • Donations will be shared among the four local refugee resettlement agencies - Catholic Charities of Buffalo, the International Institute of Buffalo, Jewish Family Services of WNY, and Journey’s End Refugee Services.

What Happened? 

  • On January 24, 2025 the United States Department of State issued a stop-work order freezing the distribution of funds to the Reception and Placement program that provides support to refugees during their first 90 days in the United States. 

  • These funds are critical to providing  basic needs like housing and food to refugee arrivals and to fund the agencies that ensure that refugees are enrolled in schools, placed in jobs, and have access to health care and other social support programs.  

  • Our government fully vetted, approved, and brought these refugees to our community. With the stop-work order, our government broke its promise to these newcomers and left agencies and communities scrambling to fill the gap and honor their commitment. Those we serve are now at risk due to the cessation of federal funding. 

How many refugees are impacted locally? 

  • There are 731 refugees in Western New York who have arrived in the last 90 days and are now at risk. 

  • There is a more than $1million shortfall in funding 

What’s the goal? 

  • Our goal is to raise $1.5 million dollars to cover the costs of providing direct assistance and case management to the 731 refugees who have arrived in Western New York over the last 90 days.

  • Whether you are able to sponsor the entire cost of a new neighbor’s resettlement, or just a fraction, every dollar raised for this cause is integral to supporting refugee resettlement in our community.

  • Several national organizations are currently fighting the Stop-Work order in federal court. Should this legal challenge be successful and these funds restored, the agencies benefitting from this campaign will reinvest donated resources into strengthening and sustaining refugee resettlement and integration programs.

Who is The Refugee Partnership? 

  • The Refugee Partnership of Western New York is a collaborative project envisioned by the Buffalo agencies that resettle refugees and support refugees- Catholic Charities of Buffalo, International Institute of Buffalo, Jericho Road Community Health Center, Jewish Family Services of WNY, and Journey’s End Refugee Services. 

  • We believe that when we collaborate, our community partners and our clients thrive.