(Damian Dovarganes – AP)

Solution- Model to Draw On: Accreditation Program for US Muslim Charities Reduces Fear of Giving

Muslim Advocates Press Release

Attempting to reduce the apprehension surrounding charitable giving, on Aug. 25, 2009 three American Muslim charities became the first groups to complete an accreditation program. Partnering with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Muslim Advocates started the Muslim Charities Accreditation Program (MCAP) in August 2008 to help charities comply with federal regulations and financial rules.

According to the Washington Post, all three groups, Islamic Networks Group, UMMA Community Clinic, and Inner-City Muslim Action Network, are optimistic that the completion of the program will help diminish fears of giving to their charities.  Speaking about the accreditation, UMMA Community Clinic President and Chief Executive, Yasser Aman, said, It’s opening the doors to communication.” Rami Nashashibi of Inner-City Muslim Action Network believes the accreditation has offered “an additional layer of comfort” to donors.

The Muslim Advocates press release about MCAP said, “MCAP provides American Muslim charities with legal guidance and one-on-one technical assistance to promote best practices in charity management and compliance with federal laws.” MCAP requires participants of the program to comply with 20 Standards for Charity Accountability that require a verifiable demonstration that they meet basic standards in:

  • how they govern their organization,
  • the ways they spend their money,
  • the truthfulness of their representations, and

  • their willingness to disclose basic information to the public.

As of September 2009, 17 Islamic charities are enrolled in the program and nearly 150 groups have attended free legal and financial seminars hosted by Muslim Advocates and its partners around the country. The Muslim Advocates press release describes the first three American Muslim organizations to complete the program:

  • Islamic Networks Group (ING): The San Francisco-based Islamic Networks Group (ING) “promotes cross-religious and cultural understanding, respect and harmony through increasing religious and cultural literacy and facilitating inter-religious and cultural engagement and dialogue.”
  • UMMA Community Clinic (UMMA): Based in South Los Angeles, the UMMA Community Clinic “is the first independent, free clinic in America started by Muslim physicians. UMMA serves the underserved community in South Los Angeles, providing free/low-cost primary care medical services such as immunizations, physical examinations, gynecology and HIV/AIDS testing.”
  • Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN): Serving Chicago’s South Side IMAN responds “to the pervasive symptoms of inner-city poverty and abandonment, the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) is driven by the spiritual ideals of community service, social justice and human compassion.”

“Because the Muslim charities have been particularly in the public focus, I think they have a greater interest in demonstrating to the public that they are just like every other charity, they meet standards like everybody else,” said H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.