Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI)

In March 2026, Indiana state representatives requested that Indiana University open an investigation into MPI for its associations with the Hayat Yolu Association, a Turkey-based organization that the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated as a “sham charity” with ties to the militant group Hamas. After an investigation, Indiana University concluded the initiative violated no laws, however, the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has removed the MPI’s webpage from its website. ^{3  4  2  5  6  1}

Activities

The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative conducted research on trends in international Muslim philanthropy and fundraising, publishing its findings in academic publications. ¹ The initiative selected students as fellows to receive training and convening services in international Muslim fundraising. ¹

MPI also partnered with major Muslim advocacy groups to produce its research, including its Ihsan Standard project, legal research project support for Muslim American nonprofits. MPI conducted the Ihsan Standard project in partnership with the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA). ⁷

In 2025 and 2026, MPI worked with the Hayat Yolu Association on international fundraising training programs in Istanbul and Indonesia. MPI’s director, Shariq Siddiqui, traveled to Turkey and Indonesia for the programs, and his travel was reimbursed by Hayat Yolu. ^{5  4}

Investigation into Alleged Terror Connections

In March 2026, eight Indiana state representatives submitted a letter to Indiana University requesting an investigation into the university’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy over the alleged connections between the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative and Hamas-associated charities. ³

The Indiana lawmakers, led by Indiana State Representative Andrew Ireland (R-Franklin Township), expressed concern specifically over MPI’s ties to the Hayat Yolu Association. In March 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) characterized Hayat Yolu as a “sham charity” with ties to the militant group Hamas. According to OFAC’s designation report, Hayat Yolu is a Turkey-based philanthropic organization that operates as an “operational headquarters, banking and financial hub for the Muslim Brotherhood” and Hamas-affiliated groups. OFAC stated that Hayat Yolu participates in a global network of financiers that “fund [Hamas’] Military Wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades.” ^{4  2  8}

Following the Indiana lawmakers’ request, Indiana University launched an investigation into MPI. In April 2026, the university drafted a letter addressing the alleged terror connections. The letter explained that MPI began collaborating with Hayat Yolu at the recommendation of the United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR). The initiative worked with Hayat Yolu on international fundraising programs in Istanbul and Indonesia in July 2025 and January 2026. Hayat Yolu also paid for the travel expenses of MPI’s director, Shariq Siddiqui. ^{5  4}

Indiana University stated that after OFAC designated Hayat Yolu, the university suspended all new MPI partnerships and training activities and began an immediate review of the initiative’s partnerships. By the conclusion of the investigation, Indiana University and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy concluded the project did not violate any laws. State Rep. Ireland expressed his appreciation for the university addressing the matter promptly and seriously, and he urged the school to continue its review of MPI. ^{5  4}

As of July 2026, the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy had removed the MPI webpage from its website. ^{6  1}

Leadership

Shariq Siddiqui was director of the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative from 2019 to 2026. As of June 2026, Siddiqui was an associate professor with tenure at Indiana University. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. in philanthropic studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a J.D. from the McKinney School of Law at Indiana University. He received his B.A. in history from the University of Indianapolis. Siddiqui previously served as executive director of the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) and has published extensively on international Muslim philanthropy. ^{9  10  11}

Finances

As an initiative of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative received its funding from the school. The Lilly Endowment  gave Indiana University a $40 million endowment to expand the school’s philanthropy center in 2006, which eventually became the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy; the Lilly Endowment did not provide dedicated funding to the MPI. ¹²