The American Muslim Fund is an advocacy group focused on coordinating grants and other financial support for Muslim organizations in the United States. ¹ The American Muslim Fund describes itself as the first national community foundation in the United States focused on creating donor advised funds and distributing funds to the Muslim community. ²

It is most notable for its partnership with the controversial Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on the so-called “hate-free” philanthropy campaign targeting institutional donor-advised funds’ grantmaking to social conservative organizations. ³

Activities

“Hate-Free Philanthropy”

On March 10, 2020, the American Muslim Fund, along with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), released a white paper discussing how philanthropic nonprofits can deny funding to organizations classified as hate groups. Titled “Hate-Free Philanthropy,” the white paper discussed areas including the issue of “hate-funding” for philanthropies, understanding the role of donor-advised funds, the role of private sectors like Big Tech in pushing anti-hate policies, and how the philanthropic community can develop a framework for “greater reform.” ⁴ The white paper itself was a product of a symposium in August 2019 which included CAIR, SPLC, and the AMF along with several dozen like-minded advocates. ⁵

Philanthropy

From 2017 through 2019, the American Muslim Fund granted more than $1 million to 115 nonprofits to support efforts such as disaster and humanitarian relief, food banks and domestic violence shelters. ⁶

Among the organization it has contributed to are the University of Texas at Austin, Muslim Foster Care Association, and Clubfoot Solutions. ⁷

1. “About Us.” American Muslim Community Foundation. Accessed April 21, 2020. https://amuslimcf.org/about-us/
2. American Muslim Fund. Launch Good. Accessed May 22, 2020. https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/american_muslim_fund_1#!/
3. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “CAIR, SPLC to Release White Paper on ‘Hate-Free Philanthropy.” PR Newswire. March 9, 2020. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-splc-to-release-white-paper-on-hate-free-philanthropy-301019899.html
4. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “CAIR, SPLC to Release White Paper on ‘Hate-Free Philanthropy.” PR Newswire. March 9, 2020. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-splc-to-release-white-paper-on-hate-free-philanthropy-301019899.html
5. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “CAIR, SPLC to Release White Paper on ‘Hate-Free Philanthropy.” PR Newswire. March 9, 2020. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-splc-to-release-white-paper-on-hate-free-philanthropy-301019899.html
6. “National Philanthropy Day Highlight.” The American Muslim Fund. Accessed May 22, 2020. https://afpglobal.org/news/national-philanthropy-day-highlight-american-muslim-fund
7. American Muslim Fund. “American Muslims in Philanthropy.” Giving Compass. May 16, 2019. Accessed May 22, 2020. https://givingcompass.org/article/american-muslims-in-philanthropy/