Bancel Philanthropies’ pledge of $6,000,000 marks the largest single philanthropic gift in IINE history
BOSTON – April 25, 2024 – The International Institute of New England (IINE) has announced it has received the largest single philanthropic gift in organizational history from Bancel Philanthropies. The gift of $6,000,000 — $1,000,000 per year over six years — will be used to assist IINE in providing life-changing support services to refugees and immigrants rebuilding their lives in the New England region.
This historic gift comes at a time when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been working diligently to integrate a growing number of immigrant families. For decades, IINE has implemented and honed a proven community-driven integration model, bringing both the operational and economic advantages of immigrant integration to the Commonwealth. With this additional funding from Bancel Philanthropies, IINE’s services, such as legal assistance, housing support, and case management services, will allow the organization to further advocate for permanent housing solutions, expedited work authorizations, and expanded support systems and services to help families achieve stability.
“This gift is an incredible show of confidence in the work we do every day to meet the needs of the refugees and immigrants in our care and in the enduring importance of our mission,” said Jeff Thielman, president and CEO of the International Institute of New England. “Bancel Philanthropies shares our belief in advocating for the human rights, protection, and support of refugees and immigrants. With these funds, IINE will be able to further expand its support services and programs to help the growing number of new arrivals who urgently need support from our whole community to build a life here.”
Bancel Philanthropies is the family philanthropy of Brenda and Stéphane Bancel and invests in people and programs with the potential to transform lives, advance justice, and heal communities. Stéphane Bancel, an immigrant from France and the CEO of Moderna Therapeutics, was honored as IINE’s Golden Door Award recipient in 2022, a prestigious award given annually to a leader born outside the United States who has made outstanding contributions to American society.
“Stéphane and I are inspired by organizations like the International Institute of New England that are helping those in need and enriching our society as a result,” Brenda Bancel said. “We’re honored to offer our support, which will allow IINE to continue making a real difference for refugees and immigrants in New England. Having witnessed firsthand IINE’s ability to unite the community in service of their clients, we have complete confidence that our contribution will allow them to advocate for our new community members’ rights, safety, and success even more effectively. “
As one of the longest-established and most trusted social service organizations in the region, IINE serves thousands of individuals and families annually. This gift from Bancel Philanthropies will allow IINE to increase its services and offerings to serve more than 20,000 immigrants in 2024, which is critical in responding to the large influx of Haitian and Central and South American families arriving homeless in Massachusetts.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ENGLAND
The International Institute of New England (IINE) creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement, and pathways to citizenship. With locations in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire, IINE serves more than 10,000 individuals annually, including people displaced by political instability, violence, and climate crises, child and adult survivors of human trafficking, and unaccompanied children joining family members in New England. IINE offers a comprehensive range of programs and services to help these newcomers feel welcome, achieve stability and security, access resources in their new communities, advance their education and employment goals, and integrate into their communities. IINE’s expertise builds on more than a century of service, and with continued partnership from community groups and support from philanthropists throughout New England, IINE will continue this service for the next 100 years and beyond.
ABOUT BANCEL PHILANTHROPIES
Bancel Philanthropies is the family philanthropy of Brenda and Stéphane Bancel, and invests in people and programs with the potential to transform lives, advance justice and heal communities. Our goal is to fully exert our belief in the goodness of humanity through building relationships with community leaders. We fund projects that speak to the fundamental emotion that nurtures us through hardship and sustains the human heart: love. Our funding priorities are creating equitable access to education, increasing food security, reducing health inequities, bolstering interfaith initiatives, reducing racial inequities, supporting trauma survivors and vulnerable communities, improving youth mental health and social isolation, and stewarding sustainable conservation and food systems. To learn more, visit bancelphilanthropies.org.
