Celebrating the Heroes Who Power Muslim Charitable Giving
Muslim philanthropy awards recognize something extraordinary: the individuals, families, organizations, and young leaders who are building the future of charitable giving in our community. These are the fundraisers who inspire generosity, the youth who lead by example, the volunteers who coordinate movements, the professionals who build sustainable programs, and the philanthropists whose vision transforms possibility into reality.
The 2025 Muslim Philanthropy Awards celebrate these changemakers—and we need your help to find them.
Every year, the American Muslim Community Foundation hosts the Muslim Philanthropy Awards to shine a spotlight on excellence in charitable giving, fundraising, and community leadership. This isn’t just about recognition—it’s about creating a culture where generosity is celebrated, where fundraising is professionalized, and where the next generation sees philanthropic leadership as something to aspire to.
This year’s awards ceremony will honor recipients across 12 distinct categories, each highlighting a different dimension of Muslim charitable excellence. From 5-year-olds organizing school fundraisers to lifetime achievers who’ve shaped Muslim philanthropy for decades, these Muslim philanthropy awards recognize that building a generous community requires leaders at every level.
But here’s the thing: we can’t celebrate heroes we don’t know about.
That’s where you come in. The nomination process opens the door for communities across America to identify and honor the extraordinary work happening in mosques, nonprofits, schools, healthcare clinics, boardrooms, and living rooms nationwide.
Nominate someone for the 2025 Muslim Philanthropy Awards today →
Why Muslim Philanthropy Awards Matter
Before we dive into categories and criteria, let’s talk about why these awards exist.
Muslim giving in America is powerful but often invisible. Billions of dollars flow through our community annually—during Ramadan, through regular sadaqah, via zakat calculations, and in response to crises. Individual acts of generosity happen constantly. Volunteers dedicate countless hours. Fundraising professionals build sustainable programs. Philanthropists create lasting change.
But this work often happens quietly, without recognition or celebration.
The Muslim philanthropy awards serve several critical purposes:
1. Making Excellence Visible
When we celebrate outstanding work publicly, we show the community what’s possible. A young fundraiser winning recognition inspires other youth to engage in charitable leadership. An innovative nonprofit getting honored motivates other organizations to raise their standards. A lifetime achievement award tells emerging philanthropists what sustained commitment looks like.
Visibility creates aspiration.
2. Professionalizing the Sector
For too long, Muslim fundraising and philanthropy have been treated as amateur endeavors—something volunteers do on the side with good intentions but minimal training. These awards recognize that professional excellence in fundraising, grantmaking, and philanthropic advising requires skill, dedication, and ongoing development.
By honoring outstanding fundraising professionals, we signal that this work deserves professional standards, competitive compensation, and career development pathways.
Recognition drives professionalization.
3. Building Community Standards
The awards criteria establish benchmarks for excellence. They answer questions like: What does outstanding youth philanthropy look like? How do we measure exceptional board service? What distinguishes good corporate giving from great corporate giving?
These standards help organizations and individuals understand what they’re working toward.
Celebration establishes expectations.
4. Connecting Changemakers
Award nominees and recipients become part of a network of Muslim philanthropic leaders. They learn from each other, collaborate on initiatives, and support each other’s work. The awards ceremony creates space for relationships that extend far beyond the event itself.
Recognition builds community.
5. Inspiring the Next Generation
When young people see peers winning awards for charitable work, philanthropy becomes cool. When families watch community members get honored for generosity, giving becomes aspirational. When students see fundraising professionals celebrated, charitable sector careers become viable.
Public celebration shapes culture.
The 12 Award Categories: Finding Excellence Everywhere
The 2025 Muslim philanthropy awards recognize that building a generous community requires leadership across multiple dimensions. Here’s what we’re looking for:
Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (Individual or Group)
Two age divisions: 5-12 and 13-21
This award might be the most inspiring category because it recognizes that philanthropic leadership starts young.
We’re looking for young people who demonstrate outstanding commitment through:
- Direct financial support – raising funds, contributing their own money, organizing charitable campaigns
- Development of charitable programs – creating initiatives that mobilize others toward giving
- Volunteering – dedicating time and energy to community service
- Leadership in Muslim philanthropy – inspiring peers and adults to engage in charitable work
Nominees will be judged based on work done while they were 5-21 years old, ensuring we’re celebrating youth leadership, not adult achievements.
Why this matters: When we honor young people who lead philanthropically, we send a message that age doesn’t limit impact. We tell other youth that their contributions matter. We show families that raising generous children is worth celebrating.
Think about the 8-year-old who organized a school fundraiser that collected thousands for Syrian refugees. The 15-year-old who started a tutoring program for immigrant children. The 19-year-old who launched a youth giving circle that’s distributed grants to a dozen nonprofits. The siblings who turned their allowance into a family foundation.
These young people are building the future of Muslim philanthropy. They deserve recognition.
Know an outstanding young philanthropist? Nominate them today →
Award for Outstanding Young Fundraising Professional
30 years old or younger
Muslim nonprofits desperately need talented fundraisers. This award recognizes young professionals who are building careers in the charitable sector and demonstrating excellence in:
- Raising funds – achieving measurable fundraising results
- Inspiring donors – building relationships that create lasting engagement
- Managing campaigns – executing sophisticated fundraising strategies
- Dedication to the charitable sector – showing commitment to nonprofit fundraising as a profession
This category acknowledges something critical: fundraising is a profession that requires skill, training, and dedication. By celebrating outstanding young fundraising professionals, we attract talented people to the sector and retain them.
We’re looking for the development director who doubled an organization’s annual revenue in two years. The campaign manager who built a major donor program from scratch. The digital fundraiser whose innovative approaches engage younger Muslims. The grants professional whose exceptional writing secured transformational funding.
These professionals are building sustainable Muslim institutions. They deserve celebration as much as the programs they fund.
Award for Outstanding Corporation
Muslim-owned businesses and corporations led by Muslims have enormous potential to advance Muslim philanthropy. This award honors businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment through:
- Financial support – direct charitable contributions
- Encouragement and motivation – inspiring employees and stakeholders to engage philanthropically
- Leadership development – creating opportunities for others to take philanthropic leadership roles
- Community involvement – supporting Muslim-based organizations strategically and sustainably
We’re looking for corporations that integrate giving into their business model, not just write occasional checks. Companies that create matching programs. Businesses that provide pro bono services. Corporations that encourage employee volunteering. Organizations that use their platform to amplify Muslim charitable causes.
Think about the Muslim-owned tech company that provides free software to Islamic schools. The restaurant chain that donates meals to homeless shelters. The consulting firm that offers strategic planning services to Muslim nonprofits. The real estate developer who tithes profits to community organizations.
Corporate philanthropy at scale can transform the Muslim nonprofit sector. This award celebrates companies leading the way.
Award for Outstanding Nonprofit
Not all nonprofits are created equal. Some just provide services. Others build movements.
This award honors nonprofits that demonstrate outstanding commitment through:
- Financial support – giving to other organizations and causes
- Encouragement and motivation – inspiring others toward philanthropy
- Leadership development – creating opportunities for philanthropic engagement
- Community involvement – strengthening the broader ecosystem of Muslim-based organizations
We’re looking for nonprofits that don’t just focus on their own programs but invest in strengthening the entire sector. Organizations that provide capacity building support. Nonprofits that coordinate collaborative initiatives. Institutions that mentor emerging organizations. Programs that create pathways for community members to engage philanthropically.
The nonprofit that created a leadership development program graduating dozens of board-ready community members. The organization that provides free financial management training to smaller Muslim nonprofits. The institution that coordinates giving circles engaging hundreds of donors. The program that built infrastructure serving dozens of other organizations.
These nonprofits multiply impact beyond their own programs. They deserve recognition for building sector-wide capacity.
Nominate an outstanding nonprofit making waves →
Award for Outstanding Mosque
Mosques are the heart of Muslim community life—and often the center of philanthropic activity.
This award honors mosques that demonstrate outstanding commitment through:
- Encouragement and motivation – inspiring congregation members toward generous giving
- Leadership development – creating opportunities for philanthropic leadership
- Increased community involvement – facilitating engagement with Muslim-based organizations
We’re looking for mosques that go beyond collecting donations for their own operations. Mosques that coordinate community giving campaigns. Institutions that host fundraising events for external causes. Masjids that teach philanthropy alongside religious education. Communities that create structured giving opportunities for congregation members.
Think about the mosque that organized a giving circle distributing $100,000 annually to local Muslim nonprofits. The masjid that created a youth philanthropy program where young people decide how to allocate charitable funds. The Islamic center that hosts quarterly fundraising training for Muslim nonprofit leaders. The community that systematically connects wealthy members with causes needing support.
Mosques have unique potential to mobilize Muslim philanthropy. This award celebrates those leading by example.
Award for Outstanding School
Islamic schools shape the next generation’s relationship with giving and community involvement.
This award honors schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment through:
- Encouragement and motivation – inspiring students toward philanthropic engagement
- Leadership development – creating opportunities for students to lead charitable initiatives
- Increased community involvement – facilitating connections between students and Muslim-based organizations
We’re looking for schools that integrate philanthropy into education. Schools where service learning is central to curriculum. Institutions that create age-appropriate opportunities for students to engage in charitable giving and volunteering. Programs that teach the theology and practice of Muslim generosity.
The Islamic school that requires each grade to adopt a charitable cause and fundraise for it. The institution that created a student-led giving circle. The school that mandates service hours and helps students find meaningful volunteer opportunities. The program that teaches financial literacy alongside Islamic principles of generosity.
When schools prioritize philanthropic education, they create generations of generous Muslims. This award recognizes institutions getting it right.
Award for Outstanding Healthcare Clinic
Muslim healthcare clinics often serve vulnerable populations and operate with limited resources. When these institutions also promote philanthropy, they multiply their community impact.
This award honors healthcare clinics that demonstrate outstanding commitment through:
- Encouragement and motivation – inspiring patients, staff, and supporters toward philanthropic engagement
- Leadership development – creating opportunities for stakeholders to take philanthropic leadership roles
- Increased community involvement – facilitating connections with Muslim-based organizations
We’re looking for clinics that see healthcare as connected to broader community wellbeing. Clinics that coordinate charitable giving campaigns. Healthcare institutions that provide services on sliding scales funded by donors. Medical programs that engage volunteers in sustaining operations. Organizations that connect patients with additional community resources.
The free clinic that mobilizes volunteer doctors and donor-funded operations. The healthcare institution that creates giving opportunities for grateful patients. The medical program that partners with mosques and nonprofits for holistic community health. The clinic that trains staff in philanthropic engagement alongside medical care.
Healthcare providers occupying this intersection of medical care and charitable giving deserve celebration.
Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional
Minimum 5 years of professional fundraising experience
This is the professional recognition for experienced fundraisers who’ve built careers in Muslim philanthropy.
The award honors outstanding fundraising professionals who work for Muslim-focused nonprofits and charitable organizations, demonstrating:
- Exceptional fundraising results – consistently achieving and exceeding goals
- Donor relationship building – creating lasting engagement beyond transactions
- Strategic campaign management – executing sophisticated, multi-faceted fundraising initiatives
- Sector leadership – advancing fundraising professionalism across Muslim nonprofits
We’re looking for the development director with a decade of demonstrated excellence. The fundraising consultant whose clients consistently exceed goals. The campaign manager who’s led multiple capital campaigns to success. The major gifts officer whose donor relationships transform organizations.
These are the professionals who’ve made fundraising their career, who’ve invested in training and development, who mentor emerging fundraisers, who raise the bar for the entire sector.
Muslim nonprofits need skilled fundraising professionals. This award celebrates those who’ve committed to excellence in this critical work.
Know a fundraising professional who deserves recognition? Nominate them →
Award for Outstanding Foundation or Grantmaker
Muslim foundations and grantmakers play a crucial role in the nonprofit ecosystem, providing not just funding but strategic direction and capacity building.
This award honors foundations that demonstrate outstanding commitment through:
- Financial support – strategic grantmaking that advances Muslim-led causes
- Encouragement and motivation – inspiring nonprofit staff toward leadership
- Leadership development – creating opportunities for nonprofit leaders to grow
- Regional, national, and international engagement – working across geographies to advance Muslim philanthropy
We’re looking for foundations that go beyond just writing checks. Grantmakers that provide capacity building support. Foundations that convene nonprofits for shared learning. Institutions that take strategic approaches to advancing Muslim causes. Funders that mentor emerging nonprofit leaders.
Think about the family foundation that provides multi-year general operating support alongside strategic advising. The grantmaker that created a cohort-based leadership program for Muslim nonprofit executives. The foundation that coordinates funding collaboratives addressing complex community challenges. The institution that invests in nonprofit infrastructure, not just programs.
Strategic grantmaking transforms the nonprofit sector. This award recognizes foundations leading this transformation.
Award for Outstanding Philanthropist
This is perhaps the most visible category—celebrating individuals or families whose generosity inspires others.
The award honors philanthropists with a proven record of exceptional generosity who, through their time, talent, treasure, and testimony, demonstrate:
- Outstanding civic and charitable responsibility – consistent, strategic giving that addresses community needs
- Inspirational leadership – generosity that encourages others to engage philanthropically
- Community, national, and/or international impact – giving that creates change at scale on Muslim-led causes
Note the four T’s: time, talent, treasure, and testimony. We’re not just looking for wealthy people who write checks. We’re looking for philanthropists who:
Give time – serving on boards, volunteering, engaging directly with causes they support
Share talent – providing expertise, connections, and strategic thinking
Contribute treasure – making significant financial investments in Muslim causes
Offer testimony – using their voice and platform to inspire others toward generosity
This might be the business owner who’s funded dozens of nonprofits while mentoring emerging Muslim leaders. The family whose multi-generational giving has transformed their city’s Muslim institutions. The professional who dedicates evenings and weekends to nonprofit boards while making major financial contributions. The philanthropist whose public advocacy for Muslim causes has inspired community-wide giving movements.
Outstanding philanthropists don’t just give—they build cultures of generosity. This award celebrates those leading by example.
Award for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
Professional fundraisers deserve recognition, but so do the volunteer fundraisers who coordinate giving without compensation.
This award honors individuals or families that demonstrate:
- Outstanding skills in coordinating and motivating donors and volunteers – ability to mobilize people toward charitable action
- Fundraising project leadership – managing complex fundraising initiatives
- Benefit to charitable institutions – work that advances Muslim-focused initiatives
- Multi-organizational impact – demonstrated exceptional leadership for more than one nonprofit organization
We’re looking for the volunteer who’s chaired multiple capital campaigns. The community member who coordinates annual fundraising galas for different organizations. The individual who’s built a reputation for turning fundraising projects into successes. The family that regularly mobilizes their networks for charitable causes.
These volunteer fundraisers aren’t paid professionals, but they demonstrate professional-level skills. They understand donor psychology, campaign strategy, event planning, and volunteer coordination. They give their expertise generously to multiple organizations.
The volunteer who’s raised millions across a dozen nonprofits. The community member whose annual fundraising dinners are legendary for their results. The individual whose personal network becomes accessible to any organization they champion. The family whose coordination of giving circles has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars.
These volunteers multiply philanthropic impact across the sector. They deserve celebration.
Nominate a volunteer fundraiser who makes magic happen →
Award for Outstanding Board Member
Good boards govern well. Great board members transform organizations.
This award honors individuals who demonstrate:
- Outstanding leadership as volunteers
- Time dedication toward promoting the organization
- Community advocacy – using their voice and platform
- Staunch support – consistent, reliable engagement
- Exceptional community leadership and service for a Muslim-focused nonprofit organization
We’re looking for board members who go beyond attending meetings. Board members who recruit other leaders. Individuals who open doors through their networks. Volunteers who mentor staff. Leaders who provide strategic guidance that shapes organizational direction.
Think about the board member who personally recruited five major donors. The volunteer who used their professional expertise to solve a critical organizational challenge. The leader who guided an organization through a successful executive transition. The board member whose strategic vision positioned an organization for exponential growth.
Every nonprofit leader knows: one exceptional board member can transform an organization’s trajectory. This award celebrates board members who’ve done exactly that.
Award for Lifetime Achievement
Requires letters of support
This is the most prestigious recognition—honoring individuals whose sustained engagement has shaped Muslim philanthropy itself.
The award recognizes outstanding individuals with:
- Extraordinary contributions to Muslim philanthropy
- Influential work that has shaped the sector
- Ongoing engagement – sustained involvement, not just past achievement
- Over 20 years of demonstrated commitment to Muslim philanthropy
This isn’t about a single accomplishment or a decade of good work. This is about individuals who’ve devoted substantial portions of their lives to advancing Muslim charitable giving, fundraising, and philanthropic infrastructure.
We’re looking for the pioneers who built Muslim philanthropic institutions when none existed. The leaders who’ve mentored generations of fundraising professionals. The philanthropists whose giving and advocacy have created lasting change. The visionaries who’ve shaped how Muslim communities approach charitable work.
These are the individuals whose names are synonymous with Muslim philanthropy in their regions or nationally. The leaders whose fingerprints are on dozens of successful nonprofits. The mentors whose protégés now lead organizations across the country. The philanthropists whose legacy will outlive them.
Because this is a special nomination requiring letters of support, the selection process involves additional scrutiny and documentation. We’re looking for community validation of lifetime impact, not just individual achievement.
The Selection Process: How Winners Are Chosen
Understanding the Muslim philanthropy awards selection process helps you submit stronger nominations. Here’s how it works:
Stage 1: Open Nominations
Anyone can nominate individuals or organizations for any category. You don’t need to be connected to AMCF. You don’t need permission from the nominee. You just need to recognize excellence and want to celebrate it.
The nomination form asks for:
- Basic nominee information (name, organization, contact details)
- Category selection (which award they’re being nominated for)
- Nomination narrative (why this person/organization deserves recognition)
- Supporting documentation (evidence of impact, results, leadership)
- References (people who can speak to the nominee’s work)
Strong nominations are specific. Instead of “Sarah is a great fundraiser,” say “Sarah increased annual giving by 150% over three years, launched a major donor program that secured five six-figure gifts, and mentored three emerging fundraising professionals who now lead development departments at other Muslim nonprofits.”
Instead of “This mosque supports charity,” say “This mosque coordinates a giving circle that has distributed $200,000 to 15 Muslim nonprofits, hosts quarterly fundraising training attended by 50+ community members, and created a youth philanthropy program where young people allocate $10,000 annually.”
Specificity wins nominations.
Stage 2: Review and Shortlisting
A selection committee reviews all nominations, evaluating them against category criteria. They’re looking for:
- Evidence of impact – concrete results, not just effort
- Alignment with category criteria – does the nomination fit what the award recognizes?
- Significance – is this exceptional work or just good work?
- Sustainability – is this ongoing commitment or a one-time effort?
- Inspiration – does this work inspire others toward similar excellence?
The committee creates a shortlist of finalists in each category—typically 3-5 nominees who represent the strongest candidates.
Stage 3: Finalist Evaluation
Finalists receive additional scrutiny. The committee may:
- Contact references to verify information and gather additional context
- Request supplementary documentation or data
- Conduct interviews with nominees or nominators
- Seek input from community members familiar with the nominee’s work
For the Lifetime Achievement Award, letters of support are required and carefully reviewed to ensure community validation of sustained impact.
Stage 4: Winner Selection
The selection committee makes final decisions based on comprehensive evaluation of all information. They consider:
- Measurable impact – what concrete results has this person/organization achieved?
- Innovation – did they do something new or do something old in better ways?
- Inspiration – does their work motivate others toward similar excellence?
- Sustainability – is this creating lasting change or temporary improvement?
- Representation – collectively, do winners represent the diversity of Muslim philanthropy?
Winners are selected across all categories, ensuring recognition for different dimensions of philanthropic excellence.
Stage 5: Notification and Celebration
Winners are notified in advance and invited to the annual Muslim Philanthropy Awards ceremony where they’re publicly recognized and celebrated.
The ceremony includes:
- Recognition of all nominees (everyone who makes the finalist round gets acknowledged)
- Winner presentations highlighting their achievements
- Networking opportunities connecting philanthropic leaders
- Inspiration for attendees to pursue similar excellence
What Makes a Winning Nomination?
After years of reviewing nominations, here’s what separates strong nominations from weak ones:
Specificity Over Generality
❌ Weak: “Ahmed is very generous and supports many causes.”
✅ Strong: “Ahmed has donated over $500,000 to Muslim nonprofits over the past decade, serves on four nonprofit boards, provides pro bono legal services to Islamic schools, and his public advocacy for Muslim giving has inspired 20+ community members to establish donor advised funds.”
Measurable Impact Over Good Intentions
❌ Weak: “Our organization works hard to help the community.”
✅ Strong: “Our organization distributed $1.2M in grants to 35 Muslim-led nonprofits last year, provided capacity building training attended by 200+ nonprofit staff, and created partnerships that leveraged an additional $800K in funding for Muslim causes.”
Demonstrated Results Over Potential
❌ Weak: “This young person has great potential as a future leader.”
✅ Strong: “At age 16, this young person organized a fundraising campaign that collected $15,000 for refugee resettlement, recruited 30 peers to volunteer 500+ hours, and created a sustainable student giving circle that continues operating two years later.”
Strategic Approach Over Random Activity
❌ Weak: “This mosque collects donations for various causes.”
✅ Strong: “This mosque created a strategic grantmaking program where congregation members vote on funding priorities, established a philanthropic education series that has engaged 300+ families, and partners with 10 Muslim nonprofits on coordinated fundraising campaigns.”
Sustained Excellence Over One-Time Achievement
❌ Weak: “She organized one really successful fundraising gala.”
✅ Strong: “Over eight years, she has chaired fundraising events for six different Muslim nonprofits, raising a cumulative $2M+, and she has trained 15 other volunteers in event-based fundraising who now lead their own successful campaigns.”
Common Nomination Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Nominating Without Permission
While you don’t technically need nominee permission, consider giving them a heads up. They may provide information that strengthens your nomination. Plus, winners need to be available to attend the ceremony—awkward if they had no idea they were nominated.
Mistake #2: Being Too Humble
If you’re nominating yourself or your organization, don’t downplay your achievements. This isn’t the time for false modesty. Be accurate and factual, but don’t undersell your impact.
Mistake #3: Generic Narratives
The nomination narrative is your opportunity to make the case. Don’t waste it on vague statements. Tell specific stories. Share concrete numbers. Paint a picture of impact that makes the selection committee say “wow.”
Mistake #4: Missing Documentation
Supporting documentation strengthens nominations. Include annual reports, financial statements, media coverage, testimonials, or anything that validates your claims. Don’t make the committee work to verify—give them evidence upfront.
Mistake #5: Wrong Category Selection
Read category criteria carefully. Don’t nominate a 35-year-old for the Young Fundraising Professional award (it’s 30 and under). Don’t nominate a corporation for the nonprofit award. Category fit matters.
Mistake #6: Unclear References
Provide references who can speak knowledgeably about the nominee’s work. A personal friend who can say “they’re a nice person” is less valuable than a board chair who can detail specific achievements and impact.
Mistake #7: Submitting Late
Nominations have deadlines. Late submissions typically aren’t accepted. Mark your calendar, set reminders, and submit early.
Who Should You Nominate?
Still not sure where to start? Here are prompts to identify potential nominees in your community:
Think about youth you know:
- Which young people are organizing charitable initiatives?
- Who’s mobilizing their peers toward giving and volunteering?
- What youth-led programs are creating community impact?
Think about professionals you know:
- Which fundraisers consistently exceed goals?
- Who’s building innovative giving programs?
- Which professionals are advancing fundraising as a discipline?
Think about volunteers you know:
- Who coordinates fundraising campaigns without being paid?
- Which board members transform organizations?
- Who mobilizes their networks for multiple causes?
Think about philanthropists you know:
- Who gives time, talent, treasure, and testimony consistently?
- Whose generosity inspires others to give?
- Which families model multi-generational philanthropy?
Think about institutions you know:
- Which nonprofits are building sector capacity?
- What mosques mobilize congregational giving strategically?
- Which schools integrate philanthropy into education?
- What corporations lead in charitable engagement?
Think about pioneers you know:
- Who’s been advancing Muslim philanthropy for decades?
- Which leaders have shaped how your community approaches giving?
- Whose mentorship has created the next generation of leaders?
You know people worth celebrating. Nominate them.
Start your nomination for the 2025 Muslim Philanthropy Awards now →
Why Your Nomination Matters
Every nomination submitted—whether it results in an award or not—serves important purposes:
Nominations Create Visibility
Even if a nominee doesn’t win, being nominated creates recognition. Finalists get acknowledged publicly. Organizations can share their nomination in communications. Individuals can include it in their professional profiles.
Nomination itself is an honor that validates work and encourages continued excellence.
Nominations Document Impact
The nomination process creates records of philanthropic work that might otherwise go undocumented. These records matter for:
- Historical documentation of Muslim philanthropy’s evolution
- Case studies that inform future best practices
- Benchmarking that helps organizations assess their own work
- Stories that inspire others toward similar excellence
Nominations Build Community
The process connects people working on similar challenges. Nominees discover peers doing related work. Selection committee members learn about innovations happening across the country. Award ceremony attendees build networks that extend far beyond the event.
Nomination creates community among Muslim philanthropic leaders who might otherwise work in isolation.
Nominations Shape Culture
When certain work gets nominated and celebrated, it signals what the community values. Youth philanthropy nominations tell young people their contributions matter. Fundraising professional nominations attract talented people to the sector. Volunteer nominations validate unpaid work that might otherwise feel invisible.
The act of nominating shapes Muslim philanthropic culture by defining what excellence looks like.
The Ripple Effect of Recognition
Here’s what happens when individuals and organizations receive Muslim philanthropy awards:
For Winners
- Validation that their work matters and is noticed
- Platform to share their story and inspire others
- Credibility that opens doors to partnerships and opportunities
- Network access connecting them with other leaders
- Motivation to continue and expand their work
- Legacy documentation of their contributions
For Nominees
- Recognition even without winning
- Feedback on their work’s impact
- Encouragement to keep pursuing excellence
- Visibility within the broader Muslim philanthropic community
- Benchmarking against high-performing peers
For the Community
- Inspiration from seeing what’s possible
- Standards for what excellence looks like
- Role models across different types of philanthropic leadership
- Pride in community members creating change
- Aspiration to pursue similar excellence
- Connection among philanthropic leaders
For the Sector
- Professionalization as excellence is defined and celebrated
- Innovation documented and shared as best practices
- Capacity building as winning approaches get replicated
- Sustainability as career paths in Muslim philanthropy become viable
- Growth as recognition attracts talent and resources to the sector
Join Us in Celebrating Excellence
The 2025 Muslim Philanthropy Awards create an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary work happening across American Muslim communities. From coast to coast, in large cities and small towns, Muslim Americans are:
Building nonprofits that serve millions
Organizing giving circles that distribute hundreds of thousands
Teaching young people to lead with generosity
Mobilizing corporate resources for community benefit
Mentoring emerging leaders into excellence
Creating sustainable institutions that will outlast us all
This work deserves celebration. These leaders deserve recognition. These stories deserve to be told.
But we can only celebrate heroes we know about.
That’s why nominations matter. That’s why your participation is essential. That’s why we need you to identify the outstanding youth, fundraising professionals, volunteers, philanthropists, board members, organizations, and lifetime achievers in your community.
You know people doing remarkable work. People who inspire you. People who create change. People who lead with generosity. People who build the future of Muslim philanthropy with every action they take.
Nominate them. Today.
The nomination process takes 15 minutes. The impact of recognition lasts a lifetime.
Let’s build a culture where excellence in Muslim philanthropy is visible, celebrated, and replicated across our community. Let’s create role models for the next generation. Let’s professionalize fundraising and charitable giving. Let’s document the extraordinary work already happening.
Let’s honor our heroes.
Submit your nomination for the 2025 Muslim Philanthropy Awards →
Questions about nominations or the awards process? Contact us at info@amuslimcf.org
Want to attend the 2025 Muslim Philanthropy Awards ceremony? Details on the Annual Symposium and Awards will be available at amuslimcf.org/awards2025