Organization
Vitendo4Africa was an organic idea birthed in 2009 with less than 200 East African immigrants in Florissant, Missouri. V4A has impacted 20,000+ immigrants/refugees representing more than 27 nationalities, with over 87 percent of its clients being immigrants and refugees from Africa. V4A is an organization for immigrants run by immigrants with the philosophy that client engagement is more than the typical client-organization relationship. V4A’s mission is to welcome, connect and empower healthier immigrant individuals and families through the provision of supports and services, and by coordinating resources. V4A provides academic support, job readiness, community services, college readiness, mentorship, and mental health services to refugee and immigrant youth in the St. Louis area.
Partnership #1 (2019)
In the agency’s recently completed strategic plan, the Board set a goal of expanding services (particularly youth programming) and significantly growing the organization’s budget, which will require increased attention to and sophistication in fundraising. Currently, while the agency delivers impactful services, leadership knows they need to connect better with donors. The Board recognizes that they must diversify and increase funding to match the growing need for services. The Brown Sisters Foundation issued a challenge grant to develop a strong fundraising plan and donor messaging to help attract new and increased donations.
Partnership #2 (2022)
In 2021, Vitendo4Africa was approved to offer Youth Opportunity Program tax credits for 2022-2025 from the Missouri Department of Economic Development for refugee and immigrant youth empowerment, specifically to inspire, empower and engage young peoples to participate in community development and to discourage them from engaging in criminal and violent behavior. The Brown Sisters Foundation issued a challenge grant for fundraising training and staffing support, so V4A could increase its fundraising capacity and fully leverage the tax credit opportunity which will support expanded youth development programming.