Many organizations are claiming to fundraise for Gaza right now. Who do you like in this space, and how are you evaluating the organization's credibility?
I am not donating to any organization collecting for supplies to Gaza since the current situation is that it is not the lack of supplies but the access to the population of Gaza. UN and other aid agencies are ready and willing to provide aid if allowed by the Zionists and their allies. I am contributing to human rights organizations and outfits like BDS, Electronic Intifada and Patreon subcriptions to Journalists who are spreading awareness about the artocities in Gaza.
Dec 12, 2023·edited Dec 12, 2023Liked by Ahmed Shaikh
Personally, I'm focused on donations towards the advocacy groups, media personalities and activists as the ROI of shifting global public opinion far exceeds any short-term wins. Many so called Muslim NGOs are being opportunistic and raising funds that they know they can't distribute in the near term. Our families in Gaza will likely get sizable funding from GCC/Muslim/International Orgs when the war/blockade is over soon inshallah.
This may seem apathetic right now, but as thoughtful Muslims, we should examine shifting the balance of zakat and sadaqah to more neglected causes like the war on civilians in Sudan and Syria. They are not getting 1/10th of the media nor the financial assistance they need.
I've been giving through Human Appeal as they had systems in place before the genocide because they knew another bombing was inevitable, so they were proactive about it. They buy from local vendors so they aren't affected by the blockade, insofar that they can provide help NOW as opposed to stockpiling it for later
For all the reasons given in previous comments (restricted aid, blockade, disrupted aid by local organizations, etc), the urgency now is to support Advocacy groups, Civil & Human rights orgs, providing legal help (they cannot handle the avalanche of the cases they are getting daily) and social media groups supporting and spreading awareness of injustices here and in philistine. Ultimately influencing public opinion resulting in a favorable shift of statements, positions and actions by political powers that can effect change. Here are few of such organizations to donate to. Whichever you choose, do your homework by researching their website for how they deliver support, their efficacy, their track record of support on the ground prior to current events, read their FAQs to find out if they are in touch with UpToDate situation and needs, board of directors, etc.
Once there is some stability (hopefully in the near future) when aid can flow in, and on the ground organizations are operating you can shift some of your donations to those you have vetted and trust. Some organizations will tell you how much of your donation will go to cover the fees associated with your donation, so you can choose to add it or not).
Also keep UpToDate with Ehsan newsletter regarding how your donations ae spent/overhead by some of the popular charity organizations and, a proud plug for attorney Ahmed Shaikh Estate planning encyclopedia at https://islamicinheritance.com/
Here some suggestions (specify where you want your donations to be spent):
- CAIR, split donations between HQ in DC and local chapters (chose Legal help)
Assalamualaikum to be honest I am not donating to any organization which claims to be helping people in Gaza. What I am doing, is donating to those organizations who are working on creating awareness and defending the rights of the Palestinian people here in Canada. I may not be able to donate a lot, but I like to donate to those organizations who are doing media analysis, press releases, action alerts, organizing rallies, writing op-eds and letters to the editor etc.
I have been donating to Doctors without borders as they have been working in Gaza before the war broke out and continuing their work despite the bombings and evacuations.
Love to get advice here. I'm get the feeling that many organizations are just using tragedies like the one in Gaza to circulate donor funds here in the US. Unfortunately, crises and tragedy equals major funding opportunities to cash in.
With huge overheads (35% ish), and then, a granting/subgranting/subgranting model in which each level takes their own overhead, we would be lucky if about $30 in a $100 actually goes to the actual people in Gaza.
Right now, I'm at a loss, I continue to just donate to local causes here and make dua. We must keep in mind the continued needs of our local poor as well. Muslims are suffering everywhere :(...
As a (small) collector of donations Muslim Futures (www.muslimfutures.org) rallies against the likes of the issues that is being discussed here. You can donate to Gaza. Some organisations are able to deliver trucked aid into Gaza and we have seen it with our own eyes.
Unfortunately those already in Gaza, those that live there (and theres 2 groups that we use that live / lived in the strip) are under such pressure and stress and bombs that communication or co-ordination with them is so so tough. So we dont put them under further pressure, we just look our for their welfare if we can in any way, keep in touch with them and share their voice to the outside world. If they can do anything they will, but we can't get the money in now, those doors have closed largely. But we are still trying, even though local stocks are now all largely gone.
There are 3 co-ordinating organisations that we are aware of that are actually getting permission to get aid trucks in through the Rafah border. The main one being Egyptian Red Crescent. If the charity you donate to is working with one of them, then your donated aid should get through, albeit it will take a long long time. There is a queue. There is a list of things the charity will be told are needed and acceptable, and will be allowed in, everything else will be refused. And you have to be very very patient.
I cant comment on US based charities - the only one we are in touch with is PCRF and Steve, but our contacts on the ground, well we try our best, may Allah SWT support them and provide them safety and relief as quickly as possible.
In UK there are a host of partner charities that we work with to distribute our donor's funds to and work with them to get the aid in as quickly as possible. I will be travelling Insha'Allah with one partner on the 13th of this month to prepare the trucks with pallets of medical supplies. We have been given clearance to load and prepare on the 15th January, with crossing into Gaza imminently thereafter. So we are expending donor funds in this way.
Please do keep doing everything you possibly can to help the people of Gaza, all the things mentioned here. And keep donating, just be wise about your routes to Rafah. Use only those you know can deliver. Avoid the Influencers, and their faces on the large charity marketing campaigns that you see on Launchgood (that platform that we recommend you DO NOT use). Avoid the commercialised, large corporates, the well known names. And avoid those with even a whiff of controversy - Penny Appeal and One Nation are 2 that spring to mind. There are many many others.
And if you don't want to donate to a 'charity' as such, you can do other things - like support BDS, contribute to organisations that stand for the Palestinian people, support the journalists that speak out etc etc. Just do whatever you can Insha'Allah.
Happy to help with more info, if anyone reaches out. Sorry for the long post! May Allah SWT grant us all the ability to do as much as we can and more for the people of Gaza. And Allah knows best.
I have actually been wondering how should I donate to Gaza. Yesterday, I though to check with you since you had started doing some reach on transparency in non-profit organizations. I have donated some amount through different organizations and want to donate more, but I am wondering that the aid is not reaching Gaza right now.
Well, credibility is not at its best. This video shows how different charities use the same guy to show "their team on the ground" distributing aid. They couldn't even use different guys! Check it out: https://youtube.com/shorts/r-e-J1z_Y6k
Salaam--I'm trying to figure out how we can donate our Zakat and Ramadan sadaqa to benefit the Palestinians--any suggestions? Baitulmaal seems to be a low-overhead agency but I'm not sure how much access they've had. I saw Modern Wall Art seems to be posting evidence of their trucks getting inside Gaza but I did not thoroughly investigate that avenue.
heroichearts. They have shown evidence of their aid being delivered to the Gazzans and have posted the daily operational cost of their kitchen which is serving food to the civilians. And they have always had 100% donation policy.
I am not donating to any organization collecting for supplies to Gaza since the current situation is that it is not the lack of supplies but the access to the population of Gaza. UN and other aid agencies are ready and willing to provide aid if allowed by the Zionists and their allies. I am contributing to human rights organizations and outfits like BDS, Electronic Intifada and Patreon subcriptions to Journalists who are spreading awareness about the artocities in Gaza.
Personally, I'm focused on donations towards the advocacy groups, media personalities and activists as the ROI of shifting global public opinion far exceeds any short-term wins. Many so called Muslim NGOs are being opportunistic and raising funds that they know they can't distribute in the near term. Our families in Gaza will likely get sizable funding from GCC/Muslim/International Orgs when the war/blockade is over soon inshallah.
This may seem apathetic right now, but as thoughtful Muslims, we should examine shifting the balance of zakat and sadaqah to more neglected causes like the war on civilians in Sudan and Syria. They are not getting 1/10th of the media nor the financial assistance they need.
I've been giving through Human Appeal as they had systems in place before the genocide because they knew another bombing was inevitable, so they were proactive about it. They buy from local vendors so they aren't affected by the blockade, insofar that they can provide help NOW as opposed to stockpiling it for later
Salam,
For all the reasons given in previous comments (restricted aid, blockade, disrupted aid by local organizations, etc), the urgency now is to support Advocacy groups, Civil & Human rights orgs, providing legal help (they cannot handle the avalanche of the cases they are getting daily) and social media groups supporting and spreading awareness of injustices here and in philistine. Ultimately influencing public opinion resulting in a favorable shift of statements, positions and actions by political powers that can effect change. Here are few of such organizations to donate to. Whichever you choose, do your homework by researching their website for how they deliver support, their efficacy, their track record of support on the ground prior to current events, read their FAQs to find out if they are in touch with UpToDate situation and needs, board of directors, etc.
Once there is some stability (hopefully in the near future) when aid can flow in, and on the ground organizations are operating you can shift some of your donations to those you have vetted and trust. Some organizations will tell you how much of your donation will go to cover the fees associated with your donation, so you can choose to add it or not).
Also keep UpToDate with Ehsan newsletter regarding how your donations ae spent/overhead by some of the popular charity organizations and, a proud plug for attorney Ahmed Shaikh Estate planning encyclopedia at https://islamicinheritance.com/
Here some suggestions (specify where you want your donations to be spent):
- CAIR, split donations between HQ in DC and local chapters (chose Legal help)
- palistinelegal.org
- mlfa.org (Muslim Legal Fund of America)
- PCRF (https://www.pcrf.net/faq)
- https://givelight.org/palestine/
GiveLight supports Orphans daily needs including educational scholarships.
Assalamualaikum to be honest I am not donating to any organization which claims to be helping people in Gaza. What I am doing, is donating to those organizations who are working on creating awareness and defending the rights of the Palestinian people here in Canada. I may not be able to donate a lot, but I like to donate to those organizations who are doing media analysis, press releases, action alerts, organizing rallies, writing op-eds and letters to the editor etc.
I have been donating to Doctors without borders as they have been working in Gaza before the war broke out and continuing their work despite the bombings and evacuations.
Love to get advice here. I'm get the feeling that many organizations are just using tragedies like the one in Gaza to circulate donor funds here in the US. Unfortunately, crises and tragedy equals major funding opportunities to cash in.
With huge overheads (35% ish), and then, a granting/subgranting/subgranting model in which each level takes their own overhead, we would be lucky if about $30 in a $100 actually goes to the actual people in Gaza.
Right now, I'm at a loss, I continue to just donate to local causes here and make dua. We must keep in mind the continued needs of our local poor as well. Muslims are suffering everywhere :(...
As a (small) collector of donations Muslim Futures (www.muslimfutures.org) rallies against the likes of the issues that is being discussed here. You can donate to Gaza. Some organisations are able to deliver trucked aid into Gaza and we have seen it with our own eyes.
Unfortunately those already in Gaza, those that live there (and theres 2 groups that we use that live / lived in the strip) are under such pressure and stress and bombs that communication or co-ordination with them is so so tough. So we dont put them under further pressure, we just look our for their welfare if we can in any way, keep in touch with them and share their voice to the outside world. If they can do anything they will, but we can't get the money in now, those doors have closed largely. But we are still trying, even though local stocks are now all largely gone.
There are 3 co-ordinating organisations that we are aware of that are actually getting permission to get aid trucks in through the Rafah border. The main one being Egyptian Red Crescent. If the charity you donate to is working with one of them, then your donated aid should get through, albeit it will take a long long time. There is a queue. There is a list of things the charity will be told are needed and acceptable, and will be allowed in, everything else will be refused. And you have to be very very patient.
I cant comment on US based charities - the only one we are in touch with is PCRF and Steve, but our contacts on the ground, well we try our best, may Allah SWT support them and provide them safety and relief as quickly as possible.
In UK there are a host of partner charities that we work with to distribute our donor's funds to and work with them to get the aid in as quickly as possible. I will be travelling Insha'Allah with one partner on the 13th of this month to prepare the trucks with pallets of medical supplies. We have been given clearance to load and prepare on the 15th January, with crossing into Gaza imminently thereafter. So we are expending donor funds in this way.
Please do keep doing everything you possibly can to help the people of Gaza, all the things mentioned here. And keep donating, just be wise about your routes to Rafah. Use only those you know can deliver. Avoid the Influencers, and their faces on the large charity marketing campaigns that you see on Launchgood (that platform that we recommend you DO NOT use). Avoid the commercialised, large corporates, the well known names. And avoid those with even a whiff of controversy - Penny Appeal and One Nation are 2 that spring to mind. There are many many others.
And if you don't want to donate to a 'charity' as such, you can do other things - like support BDS, contribute to organisations that stand for the Palestinian people, support the journalists that speak out etc etc. Just do whatever you can Insha'Allah.
Happy to help with more info, if anyone reaches out. Sorry for the long post! May Allah SWT grant us all the ability to do as much as we can and more for the people of Gaza. And Allah knows best.
Assalamualaikum br. Ahmed
I have actually been wondering how should I donate to Gaza. Yesterday, I though to check with you since you had started doing some reach on transparency in non-profit organizations. I have donated some amount through different organizations and want to donate more, but I am wondering that the aid is not reaching Gaza right now.
What do you recommend?
Jazak Allah khair
Well, credibility is not at its best. This video shows how different charities use the same guy to show "their team on the ground" distributing aid. They couldn't even use different guys! Check it out: https://youtube.com/shorts/r-e-J1z_Y6k
Salaam--I'm trying to figure out how we can donate our Zakat and Ramadan sadaqa to benefit the Palestinians--any suggestions? Baitulmaal seems to be a low-overhead agency but I'm not sure how much access they've had. I saw Modern Wall Art seems to be posting evidence of their trucks getting inside Gaza but I did not thoroughly investigate that avenue.
heroichearts. They have shown evidence of their aid being delivered to the Gazzans and have posted the daily operational cost of their kitchen which is serving food to the civilians. And they have always had 100% donation policy.
This seems promising: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/hope_for_gaza_unite_with_penny_appeal_canada_1#!/