HIAS
| Founded | November 27, 1881 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | New York, New York, U.S. |
| 13-5633307 | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | To rescue people whose lives are in danger for being who they are; to protect the most vulnerable refugees, helping them build new lives and reuniting them with their families in safety and freedom; to advocate for the protection of refugees and assure that displaced people are treated with the dignity they deserve. |
| Headquarters | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States |
| Mark J. Hetfield | |
| Jeff Blattner | |
| Subsidiaries | Charitable Remainder Unitrust |
| Revenue | $39,923,260 (2014) |
| Expenses | $36,449,447 (2014) |
| Endowment | $62,944,322 |
| Employees | 67 (2014) |
| Volunteers | 25 (2014) |
| Website | hias |
Formerly called | Hebrew Sheltering Aid Society; Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society; Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society; United HIAS Service, Inc.; Association for the Protection of Jewish Immigrants |
HIAS, founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, is a Jewish American nonprofit that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees. It was established on in 1881 to help Russian Jewish immigrants to the United States escaping antisemitic persecution and violence. In 1975, the State Department asked HIAS to aid in resettling 3,600 Vietnam refugees. Since that time, the organization has continued to provide support for refugees of all nationalities, religions and ethnic origins.
HIAS works with people whose lives and freedom are believed to be at risk due to war, persecution, or violence. HIAS has offices in the United States and across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Since its inception, HIAS has helped resettle more than 4.5 million people.