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February 2025

Feb 28
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This Ramadan, Build Your Legacy & Empower the Future of Muslim Philanthropy

This Ramadan, Build Your Legacy & Empower the Future of Muslim Philanthropy

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As-salaamu alaykum,

I pray that this Ramadan fills your heart with tranquility, deep reflection, and abundant blessings. This sacred month is a time of renewal—renewing faith, renewing our connection to community, and renewing our commitment to giving.

At the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), we believe that charity isn’t just about giving today—it’s about building a sustainable legacy that lasts for generations. Amid political uncertainty, funding shortfalls, and the increasing need for faith-driven philanthropy, AMCF remains steadfast in amplifying the power of Muslim generosity while upholding our values.

Your Impact, Your Legacy: Build a Sustainable Sadaqah Fund

Your generosity is shaping the future of Muslim philanthropy.

To the 240 families who have entrusted AMCF with their zakat and sadaqah—thank you. Since 2017, we have distributed over $21 million through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) to more than 900 nonprofit organizations. DAFs ensure that your giving is not just impactful today but continues to support causes you care about in the years to come.

Structured giving strengthens our collective impact. As government support fluctuates, philanthropy fills the gaps. By setting up a Donor-Advised Fund, you can ensure your giving remains consistent, strategic, and sustainable. Learn how to start your own charitable fund at amuslimcf.org/dafs

We also provide anonymized data to research institutions, highlighting the deep intersection of faith and philanthropy and showcasing the generosity of the American Muslim community.

Empowering the Next Generation Through Your Sadaqah Jariyah

One of AMCF’s most impactful initiatives is managing the Noor Kids Education Foundation, ensuring that Muslim children worldwide grow up with confidence in their faith. We also partner with Averroes High School, where alumni like Omar Din—the youngest Muslim ever elected to the Sunnyvale City Council—lead with purpose and conviction.

By establishing a long-term sadaqah fund, you help create a lasting source of support for Islamic education and leadership development, ensuring that future generations thrive in their faith and service.

Strengthening Muslim Institutions for the Future

Endowments are critical to securing financial sustainability for Islamic organizations. Through the National Muslim Endowment Council, AMCF manages endowments for 27 Muslim charities, helping mosques, schools, and nonprofits build financial security that lasts beyond our lifetimes.

Now is the time to invest in your legacy. Encourage your mosque, school, or favorite nonprofit to start an endowment fund today: amuslimcf.org/endowments

AMCF’s Ramadan Activity Guide 

Our 2025 Ramadan Giving Box Challenge encourages families to engage children ages 5-12 in daily reflections on 30 Qur’anic verses about charity, zakat, and generosity.

  • Daily ibadah (worship) checklist
  • Qur’anic verses & reflections on sadaqah
  • Interactive “giving box” challenge to encourage structured giving

Families are encouraged to build their own sadaqah boxes, track their giving, and decide where to donate as a family.

📥 Download the Ramadan Children’s Guide here: amuslimcf.org/mpv

Championing Women-Led Philanthropy

The American Muslim Women’s Giving Circle has distributed $50,000 to six transformative organizations. This Ramadan, honor the women in your life by supporting initiatives that uplift communities through compassionate giving.

You can also join our Interfaith Giving Circle Confronting Hate or Next Generation Giving Circle—structured platforms designed to channel collective generosity into sustained impact. Learn more at amuslimcf.org/giving-circles

A Commitment to Palestine That Endures

Through the AMCF Collaborative Fund for Palestine, we have distributed $750,000 in humanitarian aid and advocacy. In 2024, we successfully reinstated UNRWA USA as a recipient on the Fidelity Charitable platform, ensuring continued access to critical funding.

Your support fuels sustained relief efforts for Palestinian families in need. Learn more: amuslimcf.org/palestine

Strengthening the Nonprofit Sector for Long-Term Impact

Are you involved in a Muslim-led nonprofit? AMCF provides critical resources, including monthly webinars, an Annual Nonprofit Summit, and the Muslim Philanthropy Awards to recognize leaders who are shaping the future of giving.

Save the date for our Annual Symposium on November 22, 2025 to connect, learn, and collaborate: amuslimcf.org/events

This Ramadan, Make Your Sadaqah an Ongoing Legacy

AMCF’s 2025 budget is $500,000, our largest ever. With a dedicated team of 2 full-time and 10 part-time staff, we are working tirelessly to expand our reach and deepen our impact.

Our Ramadan goal: $250,000—and we can’t do it without you.

🌙 Make a lasting impact today—whether it’s $10,000, $1,000, $100, or $10. Consider setting up a monthly donation or a Donor-Advised Fund to sustain your legacy of giving beyond Ramadan.

📌 Donate now: amuslimcf.org/donate

May Allah accept your fasting, prayers, and charitable giving this Ramadan, and may your generosity continue to bless communities for generations to come.

Jazak Allah khayr for your trust and support.

Warmest regards,
Muhi Khwaja


Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer
AMCF

Feb 27
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From Individual Giving to Collective Impact: A Muslim Woman’s Journey in Philanthropy

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When I first began exploring Islamic philanthropy, I viewed myself as just a donor—someone who calculated her zakat during Ramadan and wrote checks to local organizations. Like many Muslim women, I didn’t see myself as a “philanthropist.” That word conjured images of billionaires and their massive foundations, not an ordinary Muslim woman trying to make a difference in her community.

My perspective shifted dramatically when I connected with the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF). Through AMCF, I discovered the power of collective giving and the importance of strategic philanthropy that aligns with both Islamic values and social impact. Opening a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) at AMCF was a transformative step in my philanthropic journey. I named it after my mother and mother-in-law—the Razia & Asghar Foundation—honoring the women who first taught me about generosity despite having limited means themselves.

The DAF allowed me to be more intentional with my giving while avoiding capital gains taxes on appreciated stock—meaning more of my wealth could go directly to causes I care about. But beyond the tax benefits, AMCF opened my eyes to the broader landscape of Muslim philanthropy. Through their giving circle, I joined other Muslim women in making collective funding decisions, amplifying our individual contributions into meaningful grants for community organizations.

This experience helped me recognize that Muslim women have always been philanthropists—from Khadija (RA), who supported the early Muslim community, to countless women throughout history who established awqaf (endowments) for education, healthcare, and community development. We stand in a long tradition of Muslim women who used their resources, whether abundant or modest, to serve others.

As I detail in my new book Prosperity with Purpose: A Muslim Woman’s Guide to Abundance and Generosity, we need more Muslim women to see themselves as philanthropists and take control of their financial futures. Research shows that by 2030, women will control $30 trillion in financial assets in America. Muslim women need to be part of this transfer of wealth—not just as beneficiaries, but as active participants who can direct resources to our communities’ needs.

AMCF plays a crucial role in making this vision possible by providing the tools, education, and community for Muslim women to grow in their giving. Whether through DAFs, giving circles, or other vehicles for collective philanthropy, AMCF helps us move from ad hoc charitable giving to strategic, impactful philanthropy aligned with our values.

My hope is that more Muslim women will recognize their power as philanthropists and find community in organizations like AMCF. Together, we can build on our rich heritage of Muslim women’s philanthropy while creating new models of collective giving for the future. When we combine our resources—our time, talent, and treasure—we multiply our impact far beyond what any of us could achieve alone.

Nausheena Hussain is a Research Fellow at the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and author of Prosperity with Purpose: A Muslim Woman’s Guide to Abundance and Generosity. She is a DAF holder and Giving Circle member at AMCF.
Prosperity with Purpose: A Muslim Woman's Guide to Abundance and Generosity

Feb 06
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Welcome to the Muslim Philanthropy Blog: Muhi Khwaja, Co-Founder

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Welcome to the Muslim Philanthropy Blog
Bismillah.
As salaam alaykum Dear Reader,
It is my pleasure to introduce you to the Muslim Philanthropy Blog, a dedicated space for sharing stories, insights, and reflections on the transformative power of giving within our community. My name is Muhi Khwaja, and as part of the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you as we explore the vital role philanthropy plays in shaping lives and uplifting communities.
At AMCF, our mission is to empower donors, amplify charitable giving, and create sustainable impact through values-driven philanthropy. We understand that generosity is deeply rooted in our faith and traditions, and we aim to provide a platform to celebrate those values while fostering meaningful conversations around giving. This blog represents a new chapter in our commitment to sharing the stories that inspire us and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
Our Focus Areas
Through this blog, we aim to showcase a diverse range of narratives and voices from within the Muslim philanthropic community and beyond. Our content will focus on several key areas, including:
  • Faith and Philanthropy: Exploring how Islamic principles guide charitable giving and the ways in which faith-based values intersect with modern philanthropy.
  • Stories of Impact: Highlighting the incredible work being done by nonprofits, foundations, and individual donors to address critical challenges in education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and more.
  • Best Practices in Giving: Sharing tips, tools, and strategies for maximizing the impact of your charitable contributions, whether through Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), Giving Circles, or other vehicles.
  • Spotlights on Giving Circles and Memorial Funds: Celebrating the power of collective giving and how these models enable communities to come together to support causes they care deeply about, especially on behalf of loved ones who have passed.
  • Education on Zakat: Providing resources and insights on how to fulfill this sacred pillar of Islam effectively and efficiently through programs like the National Zakat Fund to help local distributors in the United States collaborate along with resources for families to calculate their zakat.
  • Sustainable Impact: Engaging in conversations around faith-driven impact investment and how shared values can drive positive, long-lasting change.
Voices That Inspire
One of the most exciting aspects of this blog is the opportunity to hear from a variety of voices. In addition to updates and reflections from myself and other AMCF staff members, we will feature guest contributions from thought leaders, nonprofit professionals, donors, and community members. Their unique perspectives will enrich our understanding of the challenges and opportunities in Muslim philanthropy today.We also invite you, our readers, to share your stories and experiences. Whether you are a seasoned fundraiser, a first-time donor, or someone passionate about creating change, your voice matters. Together, we can build a vibrant and inclusive space that reflects the diversity and strength of our community.
Looking Ahead
As we launch this blog, our hope is that it becomes a resource, a source of inspiration, and a catalyst for action. Philanthropy is not just about giving money; it’s about fostering connections, building bridges, and investing in a better future for all. Through this platform, we aim to celebrate the values of compassion, generosity, and justice that are at the heart of our faith.Thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to walking this path together, learning from one another, and making a meaningful difference. Please feel free to reach out with your thoughts, ideas, and feedback—this is as much your space as it is ours.Stay tuned for our upcoming posts and features. Let’s make this a space where ideas flourish, stories resonate, and philanthropy thrives.
Wa Salaam,
Muhi Khwaja, Co-Founder
American Muslim Community Foundation