About the Foundation

Why the Foundation exists

Together and Stronger began as a membership association: one card, negotiated benefits, and a network of associations that stand together. Very quickly the same question kept coming back through the associations: what happens to the member who cannot pay this month, whose employer stopped paying, who has just been told to leave the apartment, or who has just lost a parent five thousand miles away?

A discount does not answer those questions. A foundation does. The Foundation is the part of the family that gives, rather than negotiates: help funded by donations and grants, delivered by people who speak your language and who have often lived the same story.

A short film about the Foundation — Not Alone: who we are, why the Foundation exists and how a request becomes help, in under two minutes. Narrated in English.

Who we serve

Anyone with a foreign-born story — people born abroad, whatever their status, US citizens born abroad, the US-born children of foreign-born parents, and their families, relatives and friends. Everyone receives a personal reply, and the full scope of the Foundation’s support — relief funds, emergency and milestone support, and case accompaniment — is free and open to all in need. Direct financial relief is given as funds allow and prioritised by need.

We work first in the Los Angeles area and California, where the family is based, and we serve requests from anywhere in the United States by connecting people to the right local programs and partners.

How we work

One door. You do not need to know which program fits. You tell us what is happening, and we route it.
A real person. Every request is read by a Foundation team member and answered personally, in English, Spanish or French. Our target is a first response within two business days; emergencies are flagged and handled first.
Navigation, not paperwork. Most help that exists in California is never used because nobody explains it. We explain it, help you apply, and follow up.
Direct relief when it matters. The Hardship Fund gives short-term, direct help when funds allow, after a quick assessment.
Vetted partners. For larger or ongoing needs we hand over to clinics, legal aid organizations, food banks and public programs we have checked, and we stay in the loop until they have taken over.
Confidential. Requests go through secured forms and are read only by the Foundation team. They are never sold or shared for marketing.

What we will never do

Charge a fee for help, or ask for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or cash.
Ask for, store or share immigration status.
Ask for a Social Security number, a bank login or a full card number.
Promise a visa, a work permit, a green card or any immigration outcome.
Replace a lawyer, a doctor or a government agency. We prepare you and connect you to them.
Pressure you to decide "today or never".

The Together and Stronger family

Together and Stronger — the membership association. One card, ninety-nine benefits, a network of associations. togetherandstronger.org
Together and Stronger Member Services — the business arm, which negotiates and manages the partner programs available to members of the association. tasmemberservices.org
Together and Stronger Foundation — the charitable arm. This site.

Each organization has its own role and its own governance. The three are cross-linked so that anyone in difficulty reaches the Foundation in one click — and the Foundation’s help never depends on membership in the association.

Our commitments

The Foundation’s help is free and open to everyone in need.
Everyone is served with dignity and without judgment.
We say plainly what we can and cannot do.
We answer every request personally.
We protect what you tell us.
We follow up until the problem is solved or handed to someone who can solve it.