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African Refugee Immigrant Organization

EIN 82-3421901 · Portland, OR

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES IN THE STATE OF OREGON. FACILITATE THE FULL AND COMPLETE SOCIAL INTEGRATIOIN, EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENT AND STABILITY, AND THE CULTURAL TRANSITION OF THE AFRICAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY TO LIFE IN OREGON.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
18
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$115,182, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 138% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $890,760 spent. YOUTH & FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES:ARIO PROVIDES WRAPAROUND SUPPORT TO REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY NAVIGATE SCHOOL, SERVICES, AND LIFE IN A NEW COUNTRY. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, ACADEMIC AND MENTORSHIP SUPPORT, AND FAMILY CASE MANAGEMENT DELIVERED IN FAMILIES' HOME LANGUAGES. THE AIM IS TO KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE CONNECTED TO SCHOOL, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY WHILE BUILDING THE CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS TO THRIVE.HEALTH EQUITY, HEALTHCARE ENROLLMENT, EDUCATION SUPPORT, RENTAL ASSISTANCE & EMPLOYMENT SERVICES:ARIO CLOSES THE GAPS THAT KEEP AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES FROM ACCESSING THE SYSTEMS AROUND THEM. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM NAVIGATORS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS HELP FAMILIES ENROLL IN COVERAGE, FIND PROVIDERS, AND UNDERSTAND THEIR BENEFITS; EDUCATION STAFF SUPPORT SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION, AND ACADEMIC ADVOCACY; AND ECONOMIC STABILITY STAFF CONNECT FAMILIES TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE, JOB READINESS, AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. EVERY SERVICE IS OFFERED IN-LANGUAGE AND TAILORED TO EACH FAMILY'S CULTURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES.SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, PEER SUPPORT & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES:ARIO OFFERS CULTURALLY SPECIFIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT THROUGH PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS WHO SHARE LANGUAGE AND LIVED EXPERIENCE WITH THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE. SERVICES INCLUDE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SUPPORT AND RECOVERY NAVIGATION, PEER-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, AND CONNECTION TO CLINICAL CARE ALL DESIGNED TO OVERCOME THE STIGMA AND ACCESS BARRIERS THAT TOO OFTEN KEEP COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM SEEKING HELP.VIOLENCE PREVENTION:THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED PREVENTION AND HEALING WORK, ARIO INTERRUPTS CYCLES OF VIOLENCE AND SUPPORTS THOSE AFFECTED BY IT. TRUSTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS WORK ALONGSIDE YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO OFFER MENTORSHIP, CONFLICT DE-ESCALATION, TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT, AND PATHWAYS TO SAFER, MORE CONNECTED LIVES.COMMUNITY HEALTH, RESILIENCE & BELONGING:THIS CLUSTER SPANS COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTION, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE EQUIPPING FAMILIES WITH THE INFORMATION, RESOURCES, AND CULTURALLY GROUNDED SUPPORT TO STAY HEALTHY AND READY FOR EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING THE RISING HEALTH IMPACTS OF A CHANGING CLIMATE. IT ALSO INCLUDES THE PROGRAMS THAT NOURISH AND BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER: A FOOD PANTRY THAT MEETS IMMEDIATE NEEDS, YOUTH SPORTS LIKE SOCCER AND BASKETBALL, SUMMER CAMPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS AND CELEBRATIONS THAT SUSTAIN CULTURE, CONNECTION, AND BELONGING ACROSS ARIO'S 28+ COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.