Home
About Us
Whenoma Naficy arrived in Hartford, Conn., from Paris as an 18-year-old in the 1990s, she had no idea she'd become a US citizen a decade later.
But her path to citizenship wasn't an easy one, she tells the Hartford Courant.
"I went through a lot," says the French-born Naficy, who became executive director of the Hartford Public Library's American Place program for immigrants and refugees in 2010.
"I had to learn English.
I had to learn how to write an essay.
I had to learn how to present myself in front of an immigration officer."
That's where Naficy came in: With the help of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the library's program for immigrants and refugees has become "a magnet for new arrivals seeking immigration information, resources for learning English, and help with preparation for applying for UScitizenship," Naficy says.
"The immigrant journey is not an easy one," Naficy says.
"But for many of them the library can offer a glimmer of hope and a community connected to their needs as they embrace our shared civic values while never losing their identities."
Naficy was named a Champion of Change by
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
National Award-Winning Startup "RampMyCity" Makes 30 Public Places Wheelchair Accessible.RampMyCity is on a mission to build an Inclusive, Accessible, and New India.With 600+ public locations already...more
Good Experts Episode 1: How to do AI the social enterprise way.Speakers at the ChangeNow conference offer practical solutions to create a truly sustainable AI.Also this week: will B Lab's new...more
Haril Kazindra and wife Andrea are the co-founders of Musana, a community development NGO that runs 19 social enterprises across Uganda.Musana has offices in Denver and London and employs 700 staff,...more
The report was commissioned by the Essential Services Commission Victoria as part of a partnership with Thriving Communities Australia, Flequity Ventures, Safe and Equal and the Centre for Women's...more
The Impact Leaders Book, co-authored by Dr. Iris Wright and Kevin Harrington, the original Shark from Shark Tank, will officially launch in Hollywood, California, on October 4, 2025.Wright is an...more
Gawad Kalinga faces questions over its response to concerns about the care of young people in its organization.He believes that open and honest discussions engaging not just organization heads, but...more
Assam NewsVeteran entrepreneur and artiste Abhijit Chaliha passed away at the age of 65 at his residence in Sivasagar town.He was the cousin of former Assam Chief Minister Bimala Prasad Chalih.Among...more
WayMakers is an organisation which supports people with autism and ADHD.Founder Alex Kelly says businesses may not be aware of the support available.Support includes neuro-affirming strategy...more
In this feature, we spotlight 10 entrepreneurs who aren't just following trends, they're creating them.Whether they're using technology to streamline healthcare, redefining sports opportunities for...more
Non-profit social enterprise Grow ECD's learners are developmentally on track and ahead of the national average.Their online curriculum is now available for free to any ECD centre in South Africa.232...more
Social Entrepreneurship News from...
Gates Foundation
Changemakers
Coca-Cola Foundation
Dell Foundation
Skoll Foundation
Simons Foundation
Citi Foundation
eBay Foundation
REDF
Truist Foundation
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
When it Comes to Social Enterprises, Failure is the Best Platform for Innovation
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.