#MuslimPhilanthropy Podcast

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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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.

You can listen to more episodes at amuslimcf.org/pod

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Dr. Mohamed Idris is the Executive Director of the American Relief Agency for the Horn of Africa (ARAHA). He shares in this episode with AMCF Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer, Muhi Khwaja, about the origins of ARAHA and current work being done. Tune in to learn more. You can find more episodes of the #MuslimPhilanthropy podcast at amuslimcf.org/pod

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Join Maheera Hijab & Mohammed Abu Asaker of UNHCR as they talk about their Islamic Philanthropy Program which sources zakat from around the world to help refugees. Having launched in 2017, the program has successfully received over $200 million, with which UNHCR has served more than 6 million beneficiaries. Considering 60% of displaced persons are from Muslim-majority countries, our hope is to discuss how we can collaborate to serve refugees and create an impact in their lives together.

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Welcome to another episode of the #MuslimPhilanthropy podcast. We’re joined by Jenel Fatihah of the Surayya Anne Foundation. Learn more about their great work and her journey. Tune into more episodes at amuslimcf.org/pod

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Join Muhi Khwaja on the Nonprofit Show discussing some tips to questions that come in around nonprofit management and fundraising best practices.

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Find out more about American Muslim Community Foundation at amuslimcf.org, make a donation at amuslimcf.org/donate, and bid on auction items until 11/30/23 at bit.ly/amcf2023auction. You can listen to more episodes of the #MuslimPhilanthropy podcast at amuslimcf.org/pod

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Faryal joined our podcast to share more about her nonprofit career, journey from Indiana to Texas, and how she’s staying connected with her community through faith and fitness. Faryal served previously on AMCF’s board and is currently an advisory council member helping with Development. Listen to the episode to find out more.

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Muhi Khwaja, co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation, talks about his work in supporting Muslim organizations and how his faith intersects with his career on Nate Chen’s podcast, the Golden State Holliers.

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