Muhi Khwaja

Join Shazeen Mufti, AMCF Giving Circle Fellow as she shares more on our efforts around the American Muslim Women’s Giving Circle. Founded in 2021, the American Muslim Women’s Giving Circle is a collective of Muslim women around the US who are dedicated to philanthropy and are looking to amplify the impact of their charitable giving. Through the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), we have created the first national giving circle for Muslim women so that we may work together strategically to make a bigger and more long-lasting impact in our communities. Bismillah!

Purpose: To Amplify Your Impact The American Muslim Women’s Giving Circle believes there is power in Muslim women’s philanthropic giving by combining our donations into one fund and democratizing how we give. Through this giving circle, we will provide seamless big-dollar donations to a few key organizations to make a larger impact in our community. 

Find out more at amuslimcf.org/womensgc to join

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With Ramadan’s arrival, we construct the link between this sacred month and philanthropy, shedding light on its significance and impact on nonprofits, with insights into how Muslims observe Ramadan and engage in charitable giving (Zakat), offering a unique perspective on this spiritual practice. Host Julia Patrick welcomes Muhi Khwaja, a trainer from Fundraising Academy and co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation. https://amuslimcf.org/ In a thought-provoking dialogue, Julia and Muhi engage in a deep look into the connection between faith and philanthropy, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. Muhi explains, “Ramadan is a time of fasting, spiritual reflection, increasing worship, and good deeds.” He emphasizes the diversity of experiences within Ramadan, shaped by cultural influences and family practices. Addressing the intricacies of charitable giving during Ramadan, Muhi elaborates on the Islamic concept of zakat, highlighting its significance in the faith. He explains, “Muslims like to increase their charitable giving in Ramadan because of the additional blessings involved.” This principle of giving back is deeply ingrained in Islamic teachings, with zakat being one of the five pillars of Islam. Julia probes further, seeking clarity on the administration and distribution of zakat. Muhi describes that while in Muslim-majority countries, there may be government programs, individuals in the United States calculate and distribute zakat independently. He emphasizes the importance of adhering to the eight categories outlined in the Quran, ensuring that charitable contributions reach those in need. Transitioning to practical considerations, Julian asks about the timing and frequency of charitable giving during Ramadan. Khwaja details various approaches, from weekly contributions to leveraging technology for daily transactions, especially during the holier last ten nights of Ramadan. He underscores the individualized nature of giving while acknowledging communal guidelines that shape distribution practices. This fascinating episode also covers several other questions nonprofits sent in this week, around organizational partnerships, fundraising strategies, and sensitive scenarios involving donor relationships and program replication. #ramadanfundraising #zakat #ramadangiving

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The National Muslim Planned Giving Council hosts American Muslim Community Foundation for an informational on Donor Advised Funds. See why you should open a DAF and learn more about how it can ease your giving for your zakat and sadaqa. More info on DAFs at amuslimcf.org/dafs.

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In this interview with Muhi Khwaja, co-founder and Chief Development Officer of the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), he discusses the foundation’s unique approach to faith-based philanthropy, shedding light on their mission to provide an inclusive and accessible platform for philanthropy within the American Muslim community. The conversation highlights AMCF’s journey and its role in providing a platform for Muslims to engage in philanthropic activities. Muhi shares the origin of AMCF, tracing it back to his experience working in philanthropy and development, where he was inspired to create a community foundation for the American Muslim community. He mentions his previous roles and the diverse network he built within the Muslim community, which eventually led to the establishment of AMCF. One key aspect of the discussion is the concept of donor-advised funds (DAFs). Muhi explains that AMCF allows individuals to start DAFs with a minimum recommended amount of $2,500, making philanthropy accessible to a broader audience. He emphasizes the flexibility and tax benefits associated with DAFs, making them a popular choice for charitable giving. The interview digs into the demographics of AMCF’s donors, revealing a median age of around 52-55, and Muhi addresses the diversity within the American Muslim community and how AMCF aims to represent and support this diverse population. The conversation touches on the importance of planned giving and estate planning within the Muslim community, as well as AMCF’s role in facilitating these discussions. Muhi mentions collaborative funds and giving circles as part of AMCF’s proactive approach in responding to various causes, such as disaster relief and advocacy efforts. The cohosts and Muhi take a minute to mention the success of their recent 2023 Muslim Philanthropy Awards, which celebrated outstanding contributions to philanthropy within the community.

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An Ask and Answer session of the Nonprofit Show, host Julia Patrick and guest expert Muhi Khwaja from American Muslim Community Foundation and Fundraising Academy, tackle questions sent in this week. The first question comes from San Francisco, asking how to account for requests for estate gift promises. Muhi explains that different organizations may handle this differently, and when he works at the Red Cross, they have a separate planned giving team that manages such requests. Julia and Muhi chat about how to handle situations where a donor casually mentions leaving a gift in their will or trust. Muhi suggests having a conversation with the donor to clarify the nature of the gift and whether it’s part of a trust, which would likely involve the planned giving team. Next, a question if it’s a good idea to have all members of the development team’s goals reported to the group. Muhi shares his experience at the Red Cross, where they track and share these numbers nationally and regionally. He emphasizes that sharing this information can promote collaboration and help team members understand each other’s challenges and successes. The conversation shifts to the topic of board members and their roles. They discuss whether it’s important to have board members re-sign policies annually, especially when there have been no document changes. Muhi and Julia agree that it’s beneficial to reinforce these commitments yearly, even if the content remains the same. Finally, the episode concludes with a unique question about whether an institution, such as a trust, can serve as a board member. Julia and Muhi find this to be an unusual concept and discuss the challenges and complexities of such an arrangement. You can also listen to the show on your favorite podcast channel. Additionally, the American Nonprofit Academy provides news, inspiration, and training for the nonprofit and social impact community.

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Finding value in your day to day life is the concept behind ‘Ikigai’. Chief Development Officer and Co-Founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation and Fundraising Academy Trainer, Muhi Khwaja, CFRE, explores the 5 principals of the philosophy and how it applies to nonprofits. This is a recent episode of The Nonprofit Show -the Nation’s daily live streaming broadcast where the Nonprofit and Social Impact Community comes together. Each weekday the hosts and their guest experts cover current topics- from money to management to missions.

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Show host Julia Patrick is joined by Guest Host Muhi Khwaja, a trainer at Fundraising Academy and the co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation. They answer questions sent in by viewers this week. One of the key questions discussed in this episode is the importance of starting a board meeting with a “mission moment.” Muhi explains that a mission moment is a way to share when a board member or staff member witnessed the organization’s mission in action, like volunteering at a food bank or participating in a community project. He suggests that mission moments can be valuable for both board and staff meetings as they boost morale and help people connect with the organization’s mission. Another question is about recruiting talent from other nonprofits. Muhi advises that offering competitive compensation and benefits is important when trying to persuade someone to join your organization. He emphasizes keeping the door open for potential candidates who might be a good fit and highlights the value of networking and referrals. The final question discusses whether someone from the programming side of a nonprofit can successfully transition into a fundraising role.

Muhi believes that having a deep understanding of the organization’s programs can make a fundraiser successful. He emphasizes that success in fundraising is more about personality and relationship-building skills rather than just experience. He also suggests introducing programmatic staff to donors during various stages of the donor relationship to deepen the connection. The episode concludes with a humorous anecdote about a fundraising event involving a mistaken $250,000 donation made through a mobile app. Muhi discusses the importance of event management and technology oversight to avoid such errors and ensure proper stewardship. Muhi Khwaja’s insights and expertise add value to the discussion, addressing various aspects of nonprofit operations and fundraising.

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Tune in to hear Khalid share more about why he opened a Donor Advised Fund, the projects he likes to support, and how he hopes to use his DAF. You can learn more about DAFs on our site at amuslimcf.org/dafs.

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