World Education Services Inc
World Education Services Inc (WES) is a nonprofit social enterprise based in New York City that has operated for 50 years since its founding in 1974 by Peace Corps volunteers. The organization supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students in the United States and Canada. WES operates a self-sustaining social enterprise model, leveraging commercial revenues generated by products and services to fund social impact initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$259.8M
+11.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.0M
-13.7% YoY
Grant Count
40
-21.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$101K
+10.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: Everyone is able to put their education, experience, and skills to work anywhere in the world.
Mission: We help people learn, work, and thrive in new places. We help society recognize the value of people's education and experience.
Core Values:
- Opportunity: Opening doors so people can build better futures
- Inclusion: Becoming stronger, more creative, and more resilient through embracing diversity
- Equity: Upholding fairness and justice in work and actions
- Enterprising: Being resourceful, inventive, and driven
Primary program areas include credential evaluation production and services supporting economic inclusion of immigrants and refugees.
Grantmaking
WES functions as both a service provider and a grantmaker through its philanthropic initiatives. The organization made grants totaling $6,912,235 in its most recent filing period, with typical award amounts ranging from $7,500 to $1,776,000.
Ready to take the next step with World Education Services Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WES operates in the United States and Canada, with primary grantmaking activity noted in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $233,089,458
- Total Revenues: $99,938,416
- Total Expenses: $91,492,697
- Number of Employees: 283
As of most recent filing (2024):
- Total Assets: $259,765,506
- Total Giving: $6,912,235
The organization maintains a strong financial position with a 96% rating reflecting excellent accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $259,765,506 | $233,089,458 | $205,422,025 |
| Revenue | $139,593,000 | $99,938,416 | $98,705,023 |
| Expenses | $98,706,735 | $91,492,697 | $85,612,582 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $39,798,853 | $2,631,978 | $659,199 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
202 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from World Education Services Inc
Elevating Migrant Leadership: Building Inclusive Futures Funding Opportunity
WORLD EDUCATION SERVICES INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Strengthening Immigrant Inclusion Program (SIIP) Request for Proposals
WORLD EDUCATION SERVICES INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUDREY HENDLEY | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SIDNEY R HARGO | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| HELEN HAYWARD | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| FERIDUN HAMDULLAHPUR | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CAROLINE GAYLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOANNA HARRIES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SHAKTI JAUHAR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AARON WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JULIE REDDY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAOLO VARIAS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| FANTA AW | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KAMAL BHATTACHARYA | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TOMAS CHAMORRO-PREMUZIC | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DONNA DANIELS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AJAY PATEL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ESTHER T BENJAMIN | CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $951,029 |
| NITEESE LENTON AS OF 10724 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $74,224 |
| JOHN VERMAATEN THRU 123124 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $560,251 |
| CHERYL TOTO | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $492,302 |
| MONICA K MUNN | CHIEF SOCIAL IMPACT OFFICER | 40 | $402,054 |
| SHAMIRA MADHANY | MANAGING DIRECTOR, WES CANADA | 40 | $328,072 |
| MEGAN BLACKBURN | SIR. DIRECTOR, STRATEGY & PLANNING | 40 | $307,107 |
| ABBIE J COWAN | CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER | 40 | $392,590 |
| BIREN SHAH | CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER | 40 | $425,522 |
| HOLLY SANDERS | CHIEF TRANSFORMATION OFFICER | 40 | $392,323 |
| PAUL FELTMAN | DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GTB | 40 | $418,058 |
| ERNEST WURZBACH | SR. DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY | 40 | $325,501 |
| BRIAN KOSTANTIN | SR DIRECTOR OF SALES, MKTG & CS | 40 | $305,144 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
WES has actively expanded its grantmaking through the Mariam Assefa Fund with multiple grant announcements supporting immigrant and refugee economic inclusion and leadership development. The fund has made commitments in both the United States and Canada, reflecting the organization's continental focus on supporting vulnerable populations in accessing economic opportunities and advancing equitable systems.
WES Mariam Assefa Fund Announces $2.5M in GrantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Ramsleg Foundation
BRIGHTWATERS, NY
Assets
$543
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Druckenmiller Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$135.7M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with World Education Services Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities