Pillars Fund

Pillars Fund is a grant-making organization and Muslim community foundation named in reference to the five pillars of Islam,[3] the third of which is Zakat.

Pillars Fund
Founded2010[1]
TypeHumanitarian aid
81-0983087[2]
Location
Area served
United States
Key people
Kashif Shaikh[1]
Executive Director
Websitehttps://pillarsfund.org/

Founded in 2010 in the mold of United Way and Jewish Federations of North America,[4] and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Pillars is focused on funding secular non-profit programs supporting American Muslims in media, public relations, and leadership development. It is one of the largest funders of Muslim issues in the United States.[1]

Governance

Pillars Fund is governed by a Board of Advisors, many of whom are prominent American Muslims. The organization makes particular effort to ensure that donations go to projects that would not elicit controversy.[3]

Executive Directors
  • Kashif Shaikh (2010–present)[1]

Fundraising

Pillars Fund was founded as a giving circle[4] housed under the Chicago Community Trust in 2010 and became an independent entity in 2016.[1] It raised a million dollars in 2016.[3]

Institutional funders

Spending

Pillars Fund funds a variety of approaches towards its stated goal of "amplifying the leadership, narratives and talents of American Muslims," with stated program areas of rights, wellness, understanding and leadership.

As of 2017, it had invested more than $2 million in such programs,[7] and expects to award $700,000 in 2017. It receives typically awards fifteen of the hundreds of grant applications it receives each year.[3]

Grantees

References
  1. "In a Fearful Moment, This Growing Fund Channels Muslim American Philanthropy". Inside Philanthropy. July 25, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  2. "Charity Navigator - Unrated Profile for Pillars Fund". Charity Navigator. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  3. "A Secret Weapon In The Fight Against Islamophobia". Buzzfeed. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  4. "Giving Circles in Cross-Cultural Context". eJewish Philanthropy. November 19, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  5. "KAPOS: Chicago grantmaker is making national waves". Chicago Sun Times. August 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  6. "Pillars Fund". W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  7. "Pillars Fund". The Chicago Community Trust. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  8. "Voices of Change, Voices of America". Auburn Theological Seminary. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  9. "Pillars Fund Awards $25,000 Grant to Islamic Chaplaincy Program". Hartford Seminary. April 21, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
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