How can Islamic principles and history combined with innovative philanthropy address social inequities

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Shoaeb Basha

Philanthropy is deeply ingrained in the foundational values of Islam. Sadaqah, or voluntary charity; zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam which mandates annual giving; and waqf, or endowment, are some of the key categories of Islamic charitable practices.

Uthman ibn Affan, the third Caliph who ruled the Muslim empire and a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him,) is a prime example of Islamic philanthropic values. In 650 CE (common era), during severe drought and food shortages in Madinah, Uthman Ibn Affan sent a caravan of 1,000 camels with urgently needed supplies to people suffering in the harsh conditions. Despite receiving lucrative offers from merchants to gain business profit, he chose to donate all the goods to the people free of charge, knowing the ultimate reward comes from Allah for helping those in need.

The lesson from this story emphasizes that humanity should come before profit in the context of business and leadership during times of hardship. Islam discourages exploitation and hoarding, advocating instead for selflessness and community support. Recognizing the potential for capitalistic greed in many well-intentioned initiatives, Muslim philanthropy further becomes an anchor that advocates for overcoming greed for long-term and sustainable success.

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Reflections on My Year as a Global Philanthropy Fellow

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Afshan Paarlberg

Afshan Paarlberg sitting with other MPI staff and students on a table. — Afshan Paarlberg (second from left) mingles with school staff and students.

In years past and present, the Global Philanthropy Fellowship has supported an academic fellow in fostering international dialogue and exchange by emphasizing global philanthropy research, with the generous support of the Giving USA Foundation. In 2023, I had the honor of joining the research team at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy as the second Global Philanthropy Fellow. This fellowship has resonated with me on professional and personal levels.

After about 15 years of practicing law, including representing nonprofit entities, I pivoted toward policy-driven research to understand broader philanthropic and civil society trends, foster social discussion, and enable changes for the public good. Professionally, this fellowship has offered a vital venue to connect and learn alongside colleagues and communities about why and how philanthropy is practiced worldwide and engage in policy-level discussions about how to foster an enabling environment for philanthropy. As our world becomes increasingly global, such thriving spaces for exchange are paramount.

On a personal note, embracing global traditions of generosity and philanthropy has been part of my upbringing and adult life. I am part of a mixed-culture family from around the world, including Pakistan, Thailand, Haiti, Iran, Mexico, Palestine, and Afghanistan. Through this lifelong immersion in a cross-cultural family, I have experienced various ways of individual generosity, often associated with overflowing hospitality, food, and encouragement. Thus, the opportunity to connect the research and practice of philanthropy more deeply through this fellowship is one for which I am very grateful. (more…)

A New Collaboration

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Kathi Badertscher

Dr. Kathi Badertscher with the first cohort of collaborative master’s students. — Dr. Kathi Badertscher with Dr. Mohammad Al-Ahmadi (third from left), Dr. Hesham Merdad (next to Dr. Badertscher) and the first cohort of collaborative master’s students.

In December 2023 I traveled to Saudi Arabia with friend and colleague Jeannie Sager. We had the honor of being two of three women presenters at the Eleventh Forum for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector. While I have been privileged to travel personally and professionally many times, this was my first trip to the Middle East. In this blog post I update readers on the school’s new collaborative master’s degree program with the Saudi Arabian university, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM).

My earliest notes about a potential collaborative master’s degree program date back to 2019, well before the COVID lockdown. The momentum for the degree program comes from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s expansive Vision 2030 for Saudi Arabia. Vision 2030 creates a vibrant economy with reduced dependence on oil exports, devolution of services to sectors outside government, and dramatically increased capacity of the business and nonprofit sectors. In part to undergird Vision 2030, KFUPM is advancing its curricular offerings beyond engineering and has recently begun admitting women.

Growth through collaborative partnerships is integral to KFUPM’s strategy. The university’s business school, through its Center of Excellence in Development of Nonprofit Organizations, has partnered with several U.S. and U.K. peer universities in recent years. The kingdom, moreover, has already invested significant time and money into nonprofit professional development. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, through The Fund Raising School, has trained hundreds of practitioners in the Arab Region, so a collaborative master’s degree with the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy was a natural next step. The partnership would allow KFUPM to identify, recruit, and train future nonprofit leaders relatively quickly, by building on our curriculum and the existing relationship with us. (more…)

Exploring the Dynamic Philanthropic Landscape of Malaysia: A Personal Perspective

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Tulib Ahmed

Road in front of Sultan Abdul Samad Building In Malaysia. — Road in front of Sultan Abdul Samad building in Malaysia.

The philanthropic landscape in Malaysia is as dynamic and diverse as the country itself, and it has been evolving over the years. Overall, Malaysia is rich in charitable activities and expressions of generosity, and it offers a multifaceted environment for philanthropy and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). My 28-year residence in Malaysia and a 13-year journey within its nonprofit sector have given me a deep understanding of this vibrant field. I explore the sector’s intricacies in this blog post, highlighting its strengths and challenges.

The Diversity of Nonprofits

Malaysia’s nonprofit sector is a tapestry woven with various threads, each organization representing a unique mission and set of objectives. Religious and non-religious NGOs coexist, addressing a wide array of issues from community welfare to environmental conservation. This diversity enables a holistic and more comprehensive approach to social challenges, ensuring a broad spectrum of needs is met.

As a majority Muslim nation, Malaysia’s philanthropic sector is driven by Islamic values and modern financial mechanisms. Notable innovations include the Sukuk Ihsan Programme by Khazanah, a sovereign wealth fund that supports educational projects with a fund of USD 282 million.[1]

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Discovering purpose through philanthropy

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Amir Pasic

Dean Amir Pasic poses for photo with graduating student at commencement.

Recently, the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy welcomed students, faculty, family, and friends to one of our favorite days of the year: a special ceremony honoring our newest graduates. Dean Amir Pasic offered congratulations, charges, and challenges to these philanthropy and nonprofit professionals.

We have many reasons to celebrate today. We are marking the 37^th anniversary of the founding of the school’s predecessor, the Center on Philanthropy. This is our twelfth graduation celebration since becoming a school—and my tenth since becoming dean. We are celebrating the dedication and passion of our graduates, who will soon embark on the next steps in their journeys to make the world a better place.

Graduates, today we will celebrate your many fine and distinguished accomplishments. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished and thank you for all that you have done for our school. You have helped advance this young field of philanthropic studies and you have set the standards for the many graduates who will come after you. I think you appreciate the view that one does not enter a field to have one’s individuality dissolved into a bland commonality of sameness, with so many similar others who share a field. Our field, being a new one, lifts up the expectation that each and every individual is prepared to make the field their own and to carry it forward. We stand ready to support you and to cheer you on.

Today and as you go forth into your lives of consequence, you stand on the shoulders of those who came before you, those who helped create and build the field you adopted and will now advance.

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