The American Immigration Council and Welcoming America have announced the selection of over ten local communities for the Gateways for Growth Challenge, aimed at enhancing immigrant inclusion and community development.
WASHINGTON, D.C. & DECATUR, GA, December 15, 2025 — The American Immigration Council and Welcoming America, two prominent national nonprofits, have announced the selection of over ten local communities to receive awards as part of the Gateways for Growth Challenge (G4G) Round VI initiative. These awardees will benefit from a combination of customized research, technical assistance, and planning support designed to develop strategies that ensure all residents, including immigrants, can thrive and fully contribute to their communities.
The 2026 cohort includes a diverse array of urban and rural communities across ten states, showcasing the extensive welcoming efforts being led by local governments, nonprofits, chambers of commerce, and community coalitions. Notable awardees include:
Arlington County, Virginia
Charlotte, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
El Paso County, Texas
Fort Bend County, Texas
Johnson County, Kansas
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Mahoning County, Ohio
St. Louis, Missouri
Wabash County, Indiana
“For nearly a decade, the Gateways for Growth Challenge has empowered local communities to quantify the impact of their immigrant populations and invest in welcoming policies and programs,” said Rich André, Director of State and Local Initiatives at the American Immigration Council. “We are excited to collaborate with this new cohort to create opportunities for all residents.”
Molly Hilligoss, senior network director of Welcoming America, added, “This cohort represents local leaders who are actively working to make their communities places where everyone can participate and succeed. We are proud to support them as they translate their welcoming values into actionable initiatives.”
Since its inception in 2016, the G4G initiative has supported over 75 localities across 37 states. Participating communities have developed comprehensive welcoming plans that address critical areas such as language access, workforce development, civic participation, and social cohesion. Many of these communities have successfully passed welcoming resolutions, launched new programs, joined the broader Welcoming Network, and achieved Certified Welcoming status—a national recognition for communities that meet specific benchmarks for inclusion and welcoming.
For more information about the Gateways for Growth Challenge, visit gatewaysforgrowth.org.
About the Gateways for Growth Challenge
The Gateways for Growth Challenge (G4G) offers a competitive opportunity for localities to receive research support and technical assistance from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America, aimed at improving immigrant inclusion in their communities. Learn more at gatewaysforgrowth.org.
About Welcoming America
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement to create inclusive communities that foster prosperity by ensuring that everyone belongs. Through the Welcoming Network, the organization works to transform systems and culture by providing communities with the necessary roadmap to create welcoming policies and share innovative approaches to inclusion, enabling everyone to thrive. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.
About the American Immigration Council
The American Immigration Council is dedicated to strengthening America by shaping public perception and policy regarding immigrants and immigration. The Council advocates for a fair and just immigration system that opens doors to those in need of protection while harnessing the energy and skills that immigrants contribute. Through coordinated efforts in litigation, research, legislative and administrative advocacy, and communications, the Council aims to effect meaningful change. Follow the Council on Bluesky @immcouncil.org and on Instagram @immcouncil.
According to the American Immigration Council, the Gateways for Growth Challenge continues to play a vital role in fostering inclusive communities across the nation.