Welcoming Network

It takes a village to make your community a more welcoming place.
Join our network of welcomers to get started.

The Welcoming Network is composed of over 300 nonprofits and local governments working to build more inclusive and welcoming communities in the United States. Led by Welcoming America, the Welcoming Network is both a network and a movement, driven by the conviction that communities make better decisions when residents of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are meaningfully engaged.

By joining as a Welcoming Network member, you receive the tools, resources, technical assistance, and global community of practice to help communities of all sizes become more welcoming places. In turn, members commit to advancing and institutionalizing welcoming efforts in their community and to share their experience and lessons learned with the network, while receiving training, resources, networking, and leveraged funding.

Stories from the Welcoming Network

Painted sign that says "Welcome" in several languages

Lessons and opportunities to build belonging: A look at our 2022 Fund to Foster Belonging grantees

By Welcoming America | July 11, 2023

Connection is the antidote to social division. Communities that intentionally bring people from all walks of life together reap the benefits of being a more welcoming place for all. Intergroup bridging is one way to foster connections among groups from different migration backgrounds. Bridging activities bring people together, and research shows that building bridges between…

Tulsa makes long-term plans to include immigrants in economic development through the Welcoming Economies program

By Welcoming America | March 7, 2022

In 2021, the Welcoming Economies program entered its second phase with five participating organizations. We sat down with one of the participants, Diane Eason Contreras, Director of Immigrant and Refugee Services for the YWCA Tulsa – East Community Center, to dig into their experience in the cohort on creating a more welcoming business environment in…

Nonprofit empowers Black immigrant community in St. Louis, Missouri

By Welcoming America | February 23, 2022

Did you know that one in 10 Black people in the U.S. is an immigrant and that Africa has accounted for the fastest growth in the U.S. Black immigrant population? (Pew Research Center) For Black History Month, we chatted with Geoffrey Soyiantet, President and CEO of the St. Louis-based nonprofit and Welcoming Network member Vitendo…

What We Offer

Coaching and strategy sessions with our experienced staff

A diverse community of practice and member learning exchange opportunities

Exclusive access to timely member resources, webinars, and calls

Tailored programs that support communities in building a welcoming infrastructure

Who Can Join

Local governments and nonprofits working on immigrant inclusion issues are welcome to apply for membership.

Eligible at this time

Local governments: city, county, or state level
Nonprofits: organizations, libraries, schools, universities

Not eligible to join at this time

National organizations
Businesses

What our Members Say

The Welcoming Network has provided best practices I can adapt to fit the context of my city’s efforts. The expert assistance is a priceless resource.

Federico Rios

Assistant Director, Office of Equity, Mobility and Immigrant Integration // Charlotte, NC

Dues & Benefits

We offer three levels of annual membership dues:

General Membership	$200-$500*
Core Membership	$1,500
Premium Membership	$2,500

*General membership cost is based on organizational or departmental budget.

Each level comes with a range of benefits that may include:

Phone coaching and strategy sessions
Access to our member-only forum, library, and emails
Discounts to the Welcoming Interactive conference
Priority access to scholarships

And more...

Download the Member Benefits Guide (PDF) to see the full list of benefits at each member level.

How to Join

Ready to join the Welcoming Network? Submit your application below. Our staff will review your application and follow up with you about next steps.

Apply to Join

Outside of the U.S.? Learn more about Welcoming International

Our Network Team

All Welcoming Network members based in the U.S. receive a dedicated coach and point of contact at from the Network Team at Welcoming America based on their geographic location:

Briana Broberg

Regional Manager

Serving members in IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, WI

Megan Gonzalez

Network and Events Coordinator

Serving all members with onboarding and logistical support

Isaac Grody-Patinkin

Senior Regional Manager

Serving members in AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, HI, ID, MA, ME, NH, NM, NJ, NY, OR, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WY

Cassie Harding

Network Operations Coordinator

Serving all members with administrative and logistical support

Molly Hilligoss

Network Director

Serving members in AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA

Anthony Salas

Events Director

Serving all members with onboarding and logistical support

Learn More

Below are additional materials to earn more about becoming a Welcoming Network member.

Contact Us

Have questions?
Contact [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does my organization commit to doing as a member of the network?

By joining the Welcoming Network, your organization’s primary commitment is to actively build a more inclusive community through the work of your organization. This means engaging partners, implementing programs, and communicating values.

As part of that larger commitment, Welcoming America asks members to pay dues to support the network, host an annual Welcoming Week event, participate in learning opportunities such as conferences, webinars, and workshops, complete the annual State of Welcoming survey, and assign at least one main point of contact and dedicated staff person for welcoming work.

If your organization is joining as a Core or Premium member, you will be asked to complete a self-assessment when you join. If your organization is a local government, you will also commit to passing a Welcoming Resolution.

Can I switch from one membership level to another?

I cannot afford the dues amounts listed. Is there any financial assistance available?

As an organization that operates with a diversity and equity lens, we have built in a sliding scale and a robust scholarship program to help ensure that communities are able to access membership regardless of their ability to pay membership dues. We know fiscal calendars and internal processes vary from member to member, and staff will work with members to find solutions to barriers organizations may face when joining or renewing their membership.

When do we pay our dues?

For continuing members, membership dues will be invoiced at the beginning of the year. Members will have up to 30 days to pay their dues in full. For new members joining throughout the year, payment for dues should be paid within two weeks of joining the network. We understand fiscal calendars and internal budget processes may impact when your dues can be paid. Our membership and network team will work with members on a case by case basis should a different payment schedule be needed.

What does "Access to technical assistance and training” mean?