fbpx Skip to main content

Press Releases and in the News.

Need to get a hold of our team? Just send us a message.

2021

Article “Ramadan Drives Donations, Memberships to Giving Circles” for Associated Press (May 14, 2021)

Article “Giving While Muslim: How Ramadan philanthropy has changed from 9/11 to COVID-19” for Religion News Service/Washington Post (May 5, 2021)

Article “Giving While Muslim” by Muhi Khwaja for the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (April 27, 2021)

2020

Article “Muslims Join to Demand Police Reforms, Back Black-Led Groups” by Associated Press (June 15, 2020)

Article “Islamic Charities Scrambled to Raise Money During a Socially Distanced Ramadan” by Chronicle of Philanthropy (June 10, 2020)

Black Lives Matter Statement Against Police Violence (June 2020)

Article “The Giving Circle Response During the Pandemic” by Giving Compass (April 27, 2020)

Article “Mosques raise a big part of their budget in Ramadan. Under Coronavirus quarantine, key funding is at risk.” by LA Times (April 25, 2020)

Article “US Muslim Leaders Lead Initiative to Support Imams” by About Islam (April 16, 2020)

Article: “An Open Letter to Philanthropy: The Cure to Viral Racism is in Our Hands” (April 6, 2020)

Article “Saving Muslim Nonprofits During the COVID-19 Pandemic by About Islam (March 24, 2020)

2019

Article “The Five Building Blocks of Giving” on Giving Compass (November 6, 2019)

Mention “American Muslim Community Foundation wins award” on Philanthropy Journal (October 28, 2019)

Article “State Scrutiny has not Turned US Muslims Away From Giving” on Financial Times (October 15, 2019)

Article “Harnessing the Power of Muslim Philanthropy” on Philanthropy Journal (August 12, 2019)

Article “During Ramadan, Growing Muslim Philanthropy Enters the Spotlight” on Religion News Service (June 1, 2019)

Article “American Muslims in Philanthropy” on GivingCompass.org (May 16, 2019)

AMCF joins Amalgamated Foundation’s ‘Hate is Not Charitable’ Campaign (March 19, 2019)

2018

Article “New Community Foundation Streamlines Muslim Philanthropy” on AboutIslam.net (June 11, 2018)

Article “Looking to Grow: New Avenues Emerge for Muslim American Philanthropy” on Inside Philanthropy (May 30, 2018)

Article on the Muslim Observer (May 21, 2018)

2017

Article on Chronicle of Philanthropy (June 1, 2017)

Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 16, 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Muhi Khwaja, Co-Founder 844-426-3863
 
American Muslim Community Foundation Welcomes Ramadan & Muslim Philanthropy
Fremont, California (May 16, 2018)​—The lunar month of Ramadan means many things to Muslims who adhere to the fourth pillar of the faith, Fasting (Saum). The third pillar, Almsgiving (Zakat), is often coupled with Ramadan to increase the merits of one’s actions. Today, the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF) welcomes this holy month of fasting and philanthropy and hopes to amplify the impact American Muslims make with their philanthropy.
According to Giving USA, Americans gave $390 billion in 2016. “Muslims represent roughly 1% of the population in the U.S. Our goal is for Muslims to contribute more than 1% of all charitable giving,” says Co-Founder Muhi Khwaja. A veteran fundraiser, Khwaja began his career a decade ago and credits his passion to University of Michigan’s Development Summer Internship Program and was awarded its alumni award in 2017. Khwaja currently works at the American Red Cross.
“AMCF is the first Muslim community foundation in this country, and we are looking to revolutionize the way Muslims give,” says Khwaja. “AMCF supports Muslims in fulfilling their religious obligations of Zakat and philanthropy (sadaqa) by providing a streamlined vehicle for charitable donations through Donor Advised Funds (DAFs).” Since July 2017, AMCF has worked with 18 families across the country and has already distributed over $200,000 to more than 70 nonprofit organizations, including hospitals, schools, museums, relief organizations, food banks, and educational institutions.
AMCF’s vision is to lead sacred, sustainable, and strategic Muslim philanthropy for today, and for future generations. This is accomplished by cultivating a thriving philanthropic ecosystem to advance charitable causes by evolving donor giving and diversifying funding pathways for community organizations. AMCF has a goal of building a $5,000,000 endowment by December 2020.
This Ramadan, AMCF is looking to open DAFs across the country and seek support on the world’s largest Muslim crowdfunding site, LaunchGood. Those who establish a DAF through AMCF receive an immediate tax benefit and can support charities of their choice through grant recommendations. DAFs are growing in popularity and are one of the most efficient and cost-effective alternatives to private or family foundations. If you are interested in learning more about supporting AMCF, establishing a DAF, or hearing about our mini-grants, contact Muhi Khwaja at Muhi@amuslimcf.org.
###
About the American Muslim Community Foundation: ​Founded in 2016, the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF) is the first grassroots, national community foundation in the United States focused on creating Donor Advised Funds, distributing grants, and building endowments for the Muslim community. For more information, subscribe to our email newsletter online.