Muslim Philanthropy Initiative

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https://hdl.handle.net/1805/29948

The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) organizes symposiums and seminars; convenes philanthropic leaders; holds training programs; conducts research; and recruit Muslims in the field to train and empower a new generation of philanthropic and nonprofit leaders.

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Philanthropy in Pakistan
(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, Indiana University, 2025) Supiyan, Yusri; Siddiqui, Shariq; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Kesgin, Selman; Haque, Nazmul; Thapa, Sitashma
The primary objective of this nationally representative survey (n = 2000 ) was to obtain information on charitable giving and volunteering patterns in Pakistan. The survey questionnaire included a demographic section followed by questions related to charitable giving, zakat, volunteering, waqfs, and NGOs. The overall analysis of the survey results for Pakistan sheds light on motivations and preferences for charitable giving, views and practices revolving around zakat, trends pertaining to volunteering, and perceptions and engagements with waqfs and NGOs. For certain findings, Pakistan's trends are similar to those of other Muslim-majority countries (refer to the other country reports for comparison). First, in-person giving remains the most preferable method of charitable giving. Second, the widespread belief in zakat as a means of poverty and hunger alleviation reflects the belief that zakat should be channeled to immediate relief. On the other hand, other findings seem to apply only to the context of Pakistan. The lack of popularity for alternative means of charitable giving besides giving directly to individuals, the lack of trust in giving to state institutions, general unfamiliarity with waqfs, and the perceptions of NGOs, among other things, reflect this distinction. Pakistani respondents are also relatively split on whether zakat is a mandatory tax (42%) or a nonobligatory charity (58%), reflecting the absence of an overwhelming consensus on this issue. Regarding volunteering, respondents acknowledged other factors besides prosocial motivations that drive them to volunteer. These reasons are self-oriented, and they range from warm glow to "strategic" decisions where individuals are motivated by how volunteering can improve their career prospects and enable them to network and to be able to explore and familiarize themselves with causes they support and believe in.
Philanthropy in Kuwait
(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, Indiana University, 2025) Abu Rumman, Samir; Supiyan, Yusri; Siddiqui, Shariq; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Kesgin, Selman; Haque, Nazmul; Thapa, Sitashma; Al Shayji, Abdulrazzak
The primary objective of this report that is based upon a nationally representative survey (n = 821) was to obtain information on charitable giving and volunteering patterns in Kuwait. The survey questionnaire included a demographic section followed by questions relating to charitable giving, zakat, volunteering, waqfs, and NG0s.
Philanthropy in Jordan
(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, Indiana University, 2025) Abu Rumman, Samir; Supiyan, Yusri; Siddiqui, Shariq; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Kesgin, Selman; Haque, Nazmul; Thapa, Sitashma
The primary objective of this report based upon a nationwide representative survey (n = 1002) was to obtain information on charitable giving and volunteering patterns. The survey questionnaire included a demographic section followed by questions relating to charitable giving, zakat, volunteering, and waqfs.
Muslim Philanthropy Initiative's 2024 Impact Report
(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, 2025-03-07) Hassan, Saima
Innovative research, impactful partnerships, forward-thinking leadership, and valuable training and education initiatives—all contribute to bringing MPI's mission to fruition. Explore our 2024 impact report to see how your support has made a difference and helped us achieve our goals.
Empowering Communities: The Transformative Potential and Practices of Zakat in the Contemporary United States - Insights from Scholars, Theologians, Practitioners, and Community Leaders
(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, Indiana University, 2025-02-27) Siddiqui, Shariq; Samad, Abdul; Mofawaz, Mohannad; Elbenni, Ahmed
Islamic Relief USA, in collaboration with the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, hosted the first annual Symposium on Zakat in Contemporary United States at the Islamic Relief USA Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, on November 18-19, 2024. This symposium was a meeting of select Islamic scholars and leaders to discuss contemporary issues of zakat in the United States using Chatham House Rules to allow for a robust and frank discussion. Muslims in the United States are highly diverse, which results in a diverse set of opinions and debates related to how zakat can be collected and distributed among Muslims, non-Muslims, and potentially others in the United States. This white paper presents six key insights that emerged during the symposium on the role of zakat in the contemporary United States and helps us develop consensus on some of these issues.
Türkiye Giving Report
(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2024-10-01) Kesgin, Selman; Haque, Nazmul; Thapa, Sitashma; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Wasif, Rafeel; Siddiqui, Shariq; Durak, Muhammed Burkay; Abu-Rumman, Samir
Türkiye is a nationalist, secular, parliamentary democracy, which has a unique geographic passageway between the continents of Europe and Asia. Türkiye is recognized as one of the leading donors of humanitarian aid when measured in proportion to its national income. The tradition of charity (almsgiving) is deeply rooted in society which inherited from its long and old glorious past, especially from the Ottoman empire. Moreover, Islam along other religions play crucial role in philanthropic endeavors. Foundations, charities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are considered formal forms of philanthropy in Türkiye, while informal philanthropy is based on community-based spontaneous acts charity. This report aims to understand charitable giving trends across major urban centers in the Republic of Türkiye. The survey was conducted in various urban cities with 1,210 adult respondents with a questionnaire focusing on demographic characteristics, charitable giving, zakat, and volunteerism. The report explores the motivations behind both general charitable giving and Zakat giving. The report indicates that the majority of giving is in-kind while a significant number of donors engaged in volunteering activities in time of disaster. The report also addresses the trust issues related to civil societies and charities among individuals.
Muslim Philanthropy Institute's 2023 Impact Report
(Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2024-04) School of Philanthropy, Indiana University Lilly Family
MPI’s projects and research are driving key decisions of Muslim nonprofits and its work has deeply enriched the Muslim nonprofit and philanthropic sector. This report is a testament to MPI's impact and the progress made by it towards its mission in 2023.
Ramadan, U.S. Muslims, and Zakat: Insights from a National Survey
(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2024-03-28) Siddiqui, Shariq; Thapa, Sitashma; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Ahmed, Tulip
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims through fasting from dawn to dusk. In 2024, it began in early March and ends in early April. This report explores the link between Ramadan and zakat, a mandatory form of almsgiving and one of Islam's five pillars. A survey of 1,136 U.S.-based Muslim adults revealed that the majority prefer giving zakat during Ramadan, often through fundraising iftars or community prayers. Demographic trends show that Muslim women, married individuals, those in the $50,000-$75,000 income bracket, and the 30–39 age group, particularly registered voters, have a higher propensity to give zakat during this period. Additionally, higher religiosity levels correlate with increased zakat giving during Ramadan, offering insights for nonprofit and Muslim faith-based institutions.
U.S. Muslim Women’s Philanthropy Report 2023
(Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanathropy, 2023-12-27) Hussain, Nausheena; Cheema, Jehanzeb; Thapa, Sitashma; Toosi, Massumeh H.; Hughes, Micah; Siddiqui, Shariq
Philanthropy plays an important role in the daily life of U.S. Muslims. The Muslim American Zakat Report 2022 found that Muslims gave an estimated 4.3 billion dollars in zakat. Despite these impressive numbers, a large gap in understanding U.S. Muslim demographics and dynamics exists. U.S. Muslims, especially Muslim women, are not adequately researched nor their giving patterns understood. This report departs from existing literature on U.S. Muslim women that centers topics such as stigma, negative stereotypes, and discrimination, and, instead, sheds light on Muslim women’s philanthropic behaviors and generosity by analyzing survey data on demographic characteristics, religious beliefs and practices, donation and zakat giving, and volunteerism
Collaboration in the U.S. Muslim Nonprofit Sector: Lessons From the Community Collaboration Initiative
(Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, 2023-10-17) Siddiqui, Shariq; Samad, Abdul; Wasif, Rafeel
The Community Collaboration Initiative (CCI) was a three-year collaboration of nonprofit leaders, donors, practitioners, academics, and researchers designed to build sustainable collaborations in the Muslim-American nonprofit sector. CCI envisioned a sector where all participants would have a voice in moving these organizations from working in silos to working in partnerships in order to tackle their many challenges. This white paper summarizes the opportunities and recommendations that emerged from CCI. It is a guide for communities, practitioners, and researchers interested in engaging in these collaborations, as well as universities and funders that endeavor to nurture them. These findings hold significant relevance for the nonprofit sector as a whole, but particularly for leaders aiming to enhance their understanding of cross-organization collaborations. It draws on the experiences of the organizational participants and the CCI leadership to reveal best practices for future collaborations. This white paper highlights the factors critical to fostering trust, building programs, and ultimately building integrated groups to contribute to more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable communities. It is essential to recognize that collaboration is fundamentally challenging, and collaboration among experts from different communities and institutions is no exception. These partnerships require that individuals with different resources, cultures, incentive structures, schedules, and skillsets find each other, identify a shared challenge, agree on roles, secure funding, and move through inevitable barriers. When these collaborations succeed, they can have a tremendous effect on the overall well-being of society.

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