The Immigrant Finance Foundation
Financial inclusion infrastructure builders, for immigrants.
Most immigrants and their families are told to focus only on surviving.
We believe they deserve to thrive.
Because the truth is, financial power is possible through education and community support.
Our Mission
We advance financial inclusion for immigrant communities by equipping organizations, institutions, and community leaders with culturally responsive, immigration-informed financial education tools that help low- to moderate-income immigrant families build financial stability, access safe financial systems, and move from surviving to thriving.
About The Immigrant Finance Foundation
We are helping shape how financial institutions, nonprofits, and employers include immigrants in the next equitable economy.
We strengthen financial stability and generational wealth in immigrant communities by providing culturally responsive financial education and by training the organizations, financial institutions, and community leaders who serve them.
Our work expands access to safe banking, credit building, entrepreneurship opportunities, and long-term wealth-building pathways for immigrant families.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Immigrant Finance Foundation was founded by Adina Appelbaum – an immigration attorney, Accredited Financial Counselor®, and great-granddaughter of refugees – and Mauricio Castillo Ferri, a proud immigrant from Ecuador.
Adina and Mauricio have seen firsthand – in their family’s legacy, Adina’s immigrant rights legal advocacy work, and in their financial work together with immigrant clients – how financial empowerment transforms lives.
The Foundation was born from their lived experience facing the fear, confusion, and financial instability that come with navigating the U.S. financial system when Mauricio immigrated, and what they have learned helping hundreds of immigrants over the years in Immigrant Finance.
We are dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for immigrant communities so they can build financial strength and self-sufficiency. The Foundation’s programs – in particular our core Financial Wellness Workshops – offer practical, culturally relevant financial guidance to those historically excluded from the financial system, grounded in the belief that every immigrant deserves the opportunity to thrive.
How We Create Impact
We work through three pathways:
- Financial education for immigrant families
- Capacity building for organizations serving immigrant communities
- Advocacy for inclusive financial systems
Give power to immigrant families.
Make a donation and help more immigrants go from surviving to thriving
What Your Support Funds
- Financial education workshops on budgeting, banking, credit, investing, money management, and starting a business
- Advocacy to expand safe financial access, fair lending opportunities, and inclusive economic policies for immigrant communities
Awareness raising about the economic contributions of immigrant families and business owners
Contact Us
We would love to connect! Reach us at immigrantfinancefoundation@gmail.com or message Adina on Linkedin