Article Reference: LaunchGood 

Recently LaunchGood shared an article about their giving ecosystem and it dove into some very insightful details. LaunchGood, the  platform for Muslims to donate during Ramadan, began in 2013 with a daily email list for one fundraiser a day. Over 80% of donors preferred automating donations, and the platform expanded to Dhul Hijjah and Fridays, resulting in thousands of donors giving automatically year-round.

Impact of Implementing New Strategies and Testing Phases 

To ensure the most deserving fundraisers, LaunchGood created leaderboards for fundraisers, one for most funds raised and another for most donors, with prizes funded by automated donations. This removed bias and made fundraising easier and more fun for charities. Leaderboards have a 6x impact on the Giving Ecosystem, as every $1 of leaderboard prizes activates $6 of donations. 

Match funds offer fundraisers a match if they can raise a certain minimum, boosting smaller fundraisers that may not compete for the leaderboard. For example, Ustadh Ashir Kirk in Tennessee raised $2,000 in a few hours with a match offer. Donors can pre-select an unlimited number of causes for their donations to go to by adding fundraisers to their “Giving List.” They do not receive auto-donations themselves, use them to generate direct revenue or benefit LaunchGood, or sell donor data. LaunchGood’s Giving Ecosystem is a whole greater than sum of parts, focusing on uplifting the Ummah through its core values of “We Make Stone Soup” and its commitment to uplifting the Ummah.

Find the full article here. 

Article Reference: Zakat Foundation of America

Zakat Foundation of America(ZFA) makes an impact through multiple programs, one significant program is their Orphan Support Program. Recently they shared their new approach to supporting orphans, as the Zakat Foundation of America stated below: 

“What If We Choose With Love?

“We at Zakat Foundation have committed to stop using pictures for orphan selection – we’re making a change. We choose to love unconditionally. We choose to lead with love—no more browsing for children. Watch our mini film.” – Zakat Foundation of America

What If We Chose With Love?

But how does that exactly work?

ZFA partners with field representatives in 15 countries to select orphans for a rigorous vetting process, ensuring their basic needs are met and they thrive. Sponsors can choose based on country, age, and gender, but “where most needed” is preferred. Gifts cover essential needs like nutritious food, school attendance, and hygiene, and can be made for less than $2/day online.

Zakat Foundation of America is ready to assist you with all your questions about their Orphan Support Program

On their official website, Zakat Foundation of America has answered all your questions related to their orphan support program. 

Zakat Foundation of America considers any child without a parent or vulnerable with incapacitated or missing parents to be an orphan. Sponsorship offers holistic care for a child living abroad, covering essential needs like nutritious food, schooling, and hygiene. Sponsors can sponsor a child for less than $2/day in need online and can choose from $50 a month or $600 a year. 100% of the sponsorship goes directly to the orphan, and the Zakat Foundation of America will never use your donation for administration or operational use.

Sponsors can select an orphan by selecting “Where Most Needed” and selecting a gender and country. Due to American bylaws and vetting systems, one-on-one communication with the orphan is not allowed. Zakat Foundation of America operates in 15 countries, including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Gifting options vary by region, but Eid gifts ranging from $25-$30 are available twice a year.

The Zakat Foundation of America’s orphan sponsorship program supports children in need for up to 18 years. Once the orphan reaches adulthood, they are no longer supported by the program. However, many generous donors continue to care for their education, vocational training, or marriage process. Sponsors can choose to stop their sponsorship at any time. The program covers healthcare costs, education, clothing, food, shelter, love, support, and prospects for the future. 

Donors commit to a one-year commitment, but there is no contractual agreement. Donations are sent quarterly to the child, and the organization monitors and implements the program in 15 countries. Once sponsored, donors receive a profile of the sponsored orphan and an annual update. The program has benefited 12,689 poor children in 15 countries since 2014, and the Zakat Foundation of America is committed to serving all of humanity. The organization does not use religion as a criterion for selecting orphans, and the organization does not attempt to convert children to Islam.

For this and more insightful topics make sure to check ZFA on their latest announcements. 

Keep up with ACC for more insightful topics.

 

IslamiCity is always coming up with different kinds of platforms for educational purposes. Below we will include information about some of their applications that will help you on your learning such as Arabic vocabulary, Salah Islamic Prayer Game and IslamiCity Muslim eCommunity.

Islamicity App: Arabic English Word Game 

The Arabic English Word Game 1, Version 2.0.2, is an innovative educational game designed for second language learners. It uses digital flashcards and multiple games to teach 50 Arabic and English words. The game covers various topics, such as fruits, vegetables, farm animals, shapes, colors, clothes, and food. The game offers a safe learning space, no advertising, and no internet required. It also features family-friendly learning activities, allowing children to practice anytime and anywhere. 

The game can be played in two modes: ‘Learn’ mode, where children can take as much time as needed, and ‘Test’ mode, with limited time to complete. The teaching method involves five steps: flashcards to quickly explain Arabic-English words, reading games to make reading fun and easy, listening games to encourage correct pronunciation, and spelling games to make learning enjoyable.

Salah Islamic Prayer Game

The Salah Islamic Prayer Game App by IslamiCity.Org is an interactive app designed for parents and children aged 6-12. It encourages understanding of Islamic values and encourages children to pray regularly. The app features four carefully designed activities: a simple guide with spoken instructions, twelve coloring pages with spoken stories, an interactive game with fifty salah-related questions and answers, a DIY project for the whole family, and a privacy-conscious message for parents.

The app is designed for children to learn by imitating their elders and friends, promoting creativity and concentration. It also includes a coloring book with 12 coloring pages and 7 stickers, allowing for easy erasure and recoloring. The app also includes an interactive game with 50 questions and answers, a game timer, and a ‘Burst the Balloons’ game at the end.

IslamiCity.Org takes kids’ privacy seriously and creates child-safe apps that are educational, fun, and safe. Parents can download the app and provide a 5-star review on the App Store, or contact them at [email protected] for assistance.

IslamiCity Muslim eCommunity

IslamiCity is a global Muslim e-community that offers information, services, and tools for Muslims to live an elevated God-conscious life. Since 1995, it has provided an online advanced Quran search, accurate prayer times calculator, online udhiya, and engaging multimedia posts. The IslamiCity App is the most in-depth app targeted at a Muslim audience, offering reliable answers to Islam-related questions. 

The app is free and no ads. It includes five popular Arabic transcriptions of the Quran, ten plus English translations, and ten other languages. The app also offers engaging content, authentic duas, and innovative tools for Muslims, such as a Quran smart search tool, accurate prayer times, and a zakat calculator. The app also offers community services such as a gift store, fasting times, and an Islamic glossary.

Keep up with ACC for more insightful topics on the Muslim Community. 

Topics you might be interested in:

A Journey of Inspiration Dinner: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan

Real Testimonials from Students

Move for Kids 2024 Walkathon is a fundraising initiative by the Zakat Foundation of America to feed orphans and vulnerable children in Gaza. The event requires a team of three to register and pay a registration fee. All Muslim brothers and sisters can donate $25 for adults and $10 for students. The walkathon will take place from May 10-19, with a WhatsApp team chat created for daily miles and screenshots sent to the group chat. 

Sponsors are encouraged to pledge 25 cents to $5 for every mile walked for meals for Gaza. Prizes are awarded in two categories: first place, second place, and third place. The competition is open to US and Canadian residents, and participants must send their official tally of funds raised to [email protected] by May 21, 2024. The funds will then be sent to the Zakat Foundation of America. Prize money and recognition will be sent by May 23, 2024. The walkathon aims to nourish the bodies and hearts of the children in Gaza.

Learn more about the Walkathon here. 

Get Involved with ACC Current Contest OpportunityTo Win a Prize

We at A Continuous Charity are offering a contest to create a video reel explaining how an interest-free loan has positively impacted them. The most liked reel will win a $1000 educational grant. The competition will run from May 1st to May 31st, with winners announced on June 1st. The contest encourages creativity and fun, but the music must be Islamic. The video content can be reused outside of the competition.

Learn more about that on A Continuous Charity’s official Instagram account, by clicking here! 

Other topics you might be interested in:

Help A Student With Sadaqah Jariyah

Women Empowerment

Educational Justice

Change Maker 

 

Article Reference: LaunchGood

LaunchGood is a platform that ensures the legitimacy and authenticity of campaigns by screening each account against over 400 screening lists, including sanctions, blacklists, watchlists etc. LaunchGood makes sure to offer a seamless user experience, whether creating a campaign or supporting one or any other way of support you are ready to give! 

In this article, we will go through some of the LaunchGood Safety Measures they implement to ensure the integrity of the platform, offering a safe user experience and maintaining order. 

LaunchGood Safety Measures

Enhanced Due Diligence checks are conducted for campaigns raising funds for projects outside of G7 countries, especially in OFAC-sanctioned jurisdictions. Manual vetting is performed on every campaign to ensure it follows our internal compliance policies and adheres to LaunchGood’s Terms of Use. 

Regular checks on transactions are conducted using transaction monitoring tools to identify suspicious activities and fraudulent behaviours.  If fraudulent activity is confirmed, the user is blacklisted and their raised funds are refunded to donors. LaunchGood takes data privacy seriously. The platform has implemented internal controls and measures to ensure data privacy and safety for its users.

If you have a concern about a campaign, contact  support at [email protected] 

Learn more about LaunchGood  Safety by clicking here. 

Some of the A Continous Charity topics you might be interested in

Testimonials from Students

Learn more on how ACC Works

ACC supports and empowers the future leaders of the Muslim Community in America. 

The series “In the Shade of Ramadan” was started in 2006 to provide spiritual upliftment and education during Ramadan. It gives Muslim American Society (MAS) speakers a platform to deliver key messages to the Muslim community. The current season, Season 13, explores the stories, lessons, and connections found in Surah al-Buruj, offering reminders and reassurances during times of heightened Islamophobia, global conflict, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Viewers can watch the videos on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, or show them during tarawih programs at local MAS centres or mosques.

Surah al-Buruj Ramadan Episodes 

All episodes are very insightful to watch. But this time we picked a few,

Episodes 25 to 28 of “In the Shade of Ramadan Season 13” focus on various reflections and discussions centred around Surat al-Buruj from the Qur’an. Here’s a summary of each episode:

Breaking down some episodes 

Ep 25: The Doer of What He Wills

Reflects on the stories of Pharaoh and Thamud from Surah al-Buruj.

Discusses the lessons behind their narratives and their common traits.

Explores the historical and contextual significance of including these examples in Surah al-Buruj.

Considers measures and tools of power in society, both beneficial and destructive.

Emphasises the importance of steadfastness and faith for believers.

Quiz questions and a challenge related to the episode’s themes are presented.

Ep 26: The Failure of “The Great Forces”

Similar to Ep 25, focusing on the stories of Pharaoh and Thamud.

Explores lessons from their narratives and their relevance in Surah al-Buruj.

Considers measures of power in society and contrasts them with those of believers.

Discusses the importance of remaining steadfast in faith.

Includes quiz questions and a challenge for viewers.

Ep 27: The All-Encompassing

Reflects on the meaning of “Indeed Allah encompasses them from all sides.”

Discusses acceptance of Allah’s will and trust in His justice.

Explores the concept of wrong-doing and its recognition.

Considers how to guard oneself against the traps of Shaytan.

Quiz questions and a challenge related to trusting in Allah’s wisdom and justice are provided.

Ep 28: The Quran According to the Quran

It focuses on the relationship with the Qur’an and ways to deepen it.

Explores the essence of being a Hafidh al-Quran (memoriser of the Qur’an).

Discusses the importance of not only acquiring knowledge but also applying it.

Reflects on individuals whose character reflects their relationship with the Qur’an.

Quiz questions and a challenge to deepen one’s relationship with the Qur’an are included.

Each episode provides reflections, discussions, quiz questions, and challenges related to themes from Surat al-Buruj, aiming to offer reminders and reassurances during challenging times.

Make sure to check out In the Shade of Ramadan episodes too, they’re worth watching! 

 

Keep up with A Continous Charity for more insightful topics! 

Article Reference: Young Muslims

The Young Muslims Conference (YM) is a weekend-long event designed to develop young Muslims into future leaders. It offers workshops and sessions by renowned scholars, as well as opportunities to meet fellow Muslim brothers and compete in basketball and volleyball tournaments. The conference also offers travel opportunities to various cities, including Baltimore, MD for the National Conference and Atlanta, Houston, and Chicago for Regional Conferences. Events include a Halal Food Court, Midnight Basketball, Live Entertainment, a YM Booth at the Bazaar, a MasterChef Competition, an Open Mic Competition, a Muslim Youth Debate, a Paint Night, and a Quran Competition. Scholars also speak directly to young Muslims, discussing topics such as mental health, gender interactions, and chivalry. 

Some of the Young Muslims Educational Resources 

Muslim Youth Issues: Addressing Mental Health

In this report, we aim to address the current state of mental health among American Muslim youth and assist with mental health struggles of any kind. This report also helps guide community leaders by providing a toolkit to directly support them wherever they may be.

Muslim Youth Issues: Addressing Pornography

Pornography consumption in American Muslim society has increased dramatically over the years. In the past year, the Young Muslim Muslim Youth Issues Team sought to gain a quantitative understanding of the issue.

How to Give a Khutbah

This short guide has been prepared to help young Muslims, as well as anyone in the position of being a Khateeb. This guide is meant as an aide and as a starting point, it is strongly encouraged to go over the Khutba structure with a local Imam, chaplain, or student of knowledge.

Muslim Youth Issues: Judgement Stigma

The goal of the YM Presents Muslim Youth Issues: Judgment Stigma campaign is to seek the pleasure of Allah by raising awareness of judgment and shame within the American Muslim community, providing constructive criticism through education about Islam’s stance on this issue, and presenting practical solutions and strategies to counteract judgment stigma within our communities.

Supporting the Black Community

To properly raise awareness and educate ourselves about the systemic injustices towards the Black community in America, we have compiled a handbook that includes some civic engagement tools and action items to ensure that we are coming up with both short-term and long-term, sustainable strategies to support the Black community.

Ramadan Survival Guide

Young Muslims would like to present its first-ever Ramadan Survival Guide! We pray this guide brings benefits and helps you optimize how to spend your time this Ramadan! In it, you can find a daily to-do checklist, dua’s, exciting challenges and much more. Share with your friends, family, organizations, and the local community to reap the reward from it.

All these topics can be found on the Young Muslims page.

 

Keep up with A Continous Charity for more insightful topics!