Enhancing the quality of life for Karen and other refugees from Burma in Minnesota
About KOM
The Karen (pronounced Ka-REN) are the indigenous ethnic minority in the mountainous regions of Burma and Thailand, where they constitute the second largest ethnic group in each country. The Karen have been persecuted by the Burmese military junta, who have conducted acts of genocide against the Karen people in Burma and in Karen refugee camps in Thailand. Many Karen families who fled Burma and Thailand have settled in Saint Paul, MN. Currently, Saint Paul is home to the largest population of Karen outside south-east Asia.
Our Mission:
The Karen Organization of Minnesota's ("KOM") mission is to enhance the quality of life for Karen and other refugees from Burma in Minnesota.
Our Vision:
Assist refugees to settle, integrate and become increasingly self-sufficient;
Foster cultural knowledge and understanding; and
Strengthen organizational capacity and effectiveness to meet the needs of the community.
KOM Meets Nonprofit Giving Standards According to Minnesota Charities Review Council
KOM is proud to announce in April 2011 it received the “Meets Standards” seal of approval from the MN Charities Review Council. MN Charities Review Council is an independent nonprofit that reviews charities through its thorough Accountability Wizard Foundations and donors in Minnesota utilize the results to help determine the trustworthiness and transparency of a nonprofit on how well they operate and manage their resources. MN Council of Nonprofits’ 2010 study stated there are over 3,750 nonprofits in MN. KOM joined the ranks of only 411 of those nonprofits in Minnesota that meet MN Charities Review Council Accountability Standards. KOM would like to extend our greatest appreciation to Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Foundation and BCBS Foundation consultant, Bob Frawley, for providing funding and technical assistance to make this possible. Please see a recent article by the MN Charities Review Council highlighting KOM (PDF).
Financial Accountability:
The following PDF documents are available for download:
The Karen (pronounced Ka-REN) are the indigenous ethnic minority in the mountainous regions of Burma and Thailand, where they constitute the second largest ethnic group in each country. The Karen have been persecuted by the Burmese military junta, who have conducted acts of genocide against the Karen people in Burma and in Karen refugee camps in Thailand. Many Karen families who fled Burma and Thailand have settled in Saint Paul, MN. Currently, Saint Paul is home to the largest population of Karen outside south-east Asia. 
KOM is proud to announce in April 2011 it received the “Meets Standards” seal of approval from the MN Charities Review Council. MN Charities Review Council is an independent nonprofit that reviews charities through its thorough Accountability Wizard Foundations and donors in Minnesota utilize the results to help determine the trustworthiness and transparency of a nonprofit on how well they operate and manage their resources. MN Council of Nonprofits’ 2010 study stated there are over 3,750 nonprofits in MN. KOM joined the ranks of only 411 of those nonprofits in Minnesota that meet MN Charities Review Council Accountability Standards. KOM would like to extend our greatest appreciation to Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Foundation and BCBS Foundation consultant, Bob Frawley, for providing funding and technical assistance to make this possible. Please see a recent 