The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) is a community based participatory research initiative and is one of the five units at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (LFSOP). The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is the only school in the world devoted to the study of philanthropy. It is a leading academic institution dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy and improving its practice worldwide through research, teaching, training and civic engagement. The school offers academic degrees, professional training certifications, and cutting-edge, rigorous research on philanthropy. MPI's mission is to equip communities, organizations, and leaders with objective information and thought leadership about Muslim philanthropy through research, trainings, education and convening. Insufficient data-driven research on Muslim giving, coupled with a lack of knowledge and understanding of U.S. Muslim demographics and other related dynamics, underscores the importance of MPI’s mission. The Muslim American nonprofit sector has also been traditionally under-funded and under-resourced and beset with increasing levels of Islamophobia and prejudice. MPI’s programming is aimed at addressing these issues thus enabling Muslim philanthropy to thrive and direct much needed resources towards tackling broader humanitarian issues. MPI is committed to supporting scholarly research, promoting strategic philanthropy, and enhancing professional development in the field of Muslim philanthropy. Training: Professional development training including fundraising training and workshops are conducted by MPI worldwide. They serve to build the capacity of nonprofit staff who otherwise cannot afford access to tools and resources they can employ to hone their fundraising skills and improve their organization’s performance to effectively accomplish their missions. MPI has trained over 2,500 Muslim American nonprofit professionals between 2018-2024 and assisted them in attaining the Certificate of Fund Raising Management (CFRM) offered by The Fund Raising School at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Professional development training MPI provides professional development programs through the Lake Institute and Fund Raising School, both of which are units of the Lilly School of Philanthropy. o The Lake Institute on Faith and Giving: This four-day training is customized for a Muslim audience and culminates in an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising o The Fund Raising School: The school offers 22 courses that are offered to Muslim nonprofits through specially trained faculty who understand the Muslim nonprofit context and the course materials. MPI Courses: MPI offers the following courses: • Fundraising for Muslim Nonprofits • MPI Philanthropic and Nonprofit Leadership and Management • Fundraising from U.S. Muslims: Data Driven Approach o Customized Trainings: In partnership with the other units at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, MPI is also developing 8 customized trainings for Muslim nonprofit and philanthropic institutions. Research While U.S. Muslims are the primary focus of MPI’s research, Muslims in other countries and their philanthropic behavior is an area of extensive study as well. The research is mainly centered around three areas: definitions of Muslim philanthropy; giving behaviors of Muslims; and nonprofit organizations and institutions led by Muslims. This work is led by Dr. Shariq Siddiqui, a community-engaged scholar interested in rigorous research promoting policy and practice. Some of the key products of MPI’s research include: a. Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Society b. The Muslim Humanitarian Review Journal c. Muslim American Giving Study and the Zakat report d. Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society book series with Indiana University Press e. Academic articles written in collaboration with other scholars Thought Leadership As an eminent thought leader, MPI convenes key constituents of the U.S. Muslim community to share insights and opinions and generate innovative ideas. The annual symposium on Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society and the Philanthropy Roundtable are two such convenings which invite scholars from the world over to share their research. The knowledge that is disseminated enables Muslim philanthropists and practitioners to act intentionally and strategically and allows them to be equipped for addressing challenges instead of merely reacting to them. These convenings bring together a wide audience, including advocacy groups focused on amplifying the Muslim voice as well as ethnically diverse groups of U.S. Muslim nonprofit leaders and philanthropists. Collaborations MPI collaborates with several institutions to advance its mission. One such institute is the Zakat Foundation Institute (ZFI), established by the Zakat Foundation of America (ZFA). ZFI is partnering with the Lilly School and MPI to enhance enrollment in the graduate certificate program. Students that complete the one-year, 18-credit hour program will receive a graduate certificate in philanthropic studies. This program has resulted in the addition of three new graduate courses related to Muslim philanthropy to the graduate curriculum. A new graduate certificate in Muslim philanthropy is also being developed through this partnership. 50 students have matriculated into the program since its inception. Some other renowned institutes with whom MPI has built collaborations, include the Ibn Khaldoun and King Fahad Universities in Saudia Arabia and the Muhammadiyah University in Indonesia. Education MPI aims to increase resources available for students from Muslim majority countries and Muslim-minority communities to attend the academic programs offered by the Lilly School of Philanthropy. To accomplish this goal, MPI organizes funding for masters, bachelors and doctoral students. It also offers the following grants to support the study of Muslim philanthropy: Emerging Scholars Award: Up to $1,000 are given to applicants annually to support the next generation of scholars and practitioners specializing in the field of Muslim philanthropy and civil society. Dissertation Fellowship: MPI offers an annual doctoral dissertation fellowship of $5,000. The fellowship is intended to support any phase upon completion of PhD coursework in Muslim philanthropy. Graduate Assistantships All masters or PhD students who attend the Lilly School of Philanthropy in person are offered graduate assistantships ranging between $20,000-$25,000 a year. Some of these students are studying under the partnership established between Zakat Foundation Institute and MPI. Muslim Philanthropy, Nonprofit, and Civic Archives The Muslim Philanthropy, Nonprofit, and Civic Archives will be established at the IU Indianapolis University Library Special Collections. The Special Collections are home to the archives of the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), the Foundation Center, and other important collections. Five Muslim organizations have committed to house their archives in the collections, including the Islamic Society of North America and World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists. The archives will become a focal point for research of the important contributions Muslims are making through philanthropy, nonprofit and voluntary action. CONNECT WITH MPI Website: philanthropy.iupui.edu/mpi Donate: philanthropy.iupui.edu/give2mpi Email: mpiinfo@iu.edu