The Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children
An innovative new funding platform from UNICEF and the Islamic Development Bank Group
The Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children (GMPFC) is a joint initiative established by UNICEF and the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB). It’s a unique platform that caters to all forms of Islamic philanthropy, including Zakat and Sadaqah.
Every year, millions of dollars are given by Islamic philanthropists to fulfil their annual Zakat obligations to help lift people out of poverty and live with dignity. The fund is specifically designed to harness the true potential of Islamic Giving by financing life-saving humanitarian aid and responding to the child-related Sustainable Development Goals in the 57 Member Countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The fund can collate proceeds from private and public foundations, Zakat agencies, corporations, institutions and individuals. As such, in the Islamic spirit of calling people to good, the fund calls on all Muslim philanthropists around the world to join its growing coalition of global Muslim leaders.
IsDB and UNICEF have been joined by two key partners in the Governing Council of the fund – the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund from the United Arab Emirates, and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre from Saudi Arabia (KSrelief).
Starting in February 2021, GMPFC is supporting three initial projects, with lead implementation by UNICEF:
- In Pakistan, US$5 million contributed by KSrelief will support immunization coverage and health services for children under the age of 5 in select districts, helping to reduce the 250,000 deaths each year of children before their first birthday.
- In Cox’s Bazar district in Bangladesh, where an estimated 1.2 million refugees and members of the host population need humanitarian assistance, KSrelief will provide more than US$4.2 million towards life-saving health care for children and women, along with nutrition support for children under 5, and pregnant and nursing mothers.
- Following their earlier commitment of US$10 million to support the fund, US$2.9 million from the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund will be directed to Jordan, which, as a result of the Syrian crisis, hosts more than 650,000 registered Syrian refugees among a total estimated Syrian population of 1.3 million. The funds will be used to support vulnerable children and young people (12–24 years old) to improve learning and well-being, and particularly to support their positive transition to adulthood.
For more information, please contact: GMPFC@unicef.org
How to partner with us
The fund is open to receiving donations from major philanthropists, public and private foundations, institutions, Zakat agencies and corporations. Interested individuals and entities are kindly asked to send us an official expression of interest, and, where possible, identify preferred areas of funding.
The fund already has a pipeline of projects that potential partners can explore. We accept a range of donations with a range of recognition benefits for the donor.
Donors committing US$10 million and above are eligible to join the Governing Council of the fund for three years. All donors will be asked to sign a binding Donor Contribution Agreement (DCA) with the Islamic Development Bank, which serves as Trustee of the fund.
“Muslim philanthropy will be at the forefront in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Now more than ever, Muslim philanthropists around the world need to act collectively and think strategically to maximize their impact. The partnership between the Islamic Development Bank and UNICEF to create the Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children offers a vital new platform to achieve this goal. It is my fervent hope that Muslim philanthropists will look at this opportunity as an amanah, a trust that Allah SWT has bestowed upon us to fulfil.”
—Tun Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad
“The Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children is an important and much-needed initiative in Islamic philanthropy and will have a meaningful impact for children and youth at the global level.”
—H.E. Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair
“With the challenges the world faces, particularly as we look to post-COVID-19 recovery and resilience, there is no more precious resource than collective and coordinated action. The Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children represents a unique opportunity for leading global Muslim philanthropists to come together and create significant and lasting change for the most vulnerable children and their families.”
—Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF
“Children are especially vulnerable – they face the highest risk of violence, exploitation and disease, and bear the brunt of climatic events, be they floods or droughts. We are proud to partner with UNICEF to develop this innovative, ethical and sustainable funding solution.”
—H.E. Dr. Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank
“I am very pleased to announce KSrelief’s participation in the Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children. Particularly now, when the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating an already-challenging global humanitarian landscape, it is essential for our collective efforts to be directed towards helping the most vulnerable among us – our children. The fund will enable Muslim philanthropists to support programmes that provide at-risk children and youth with access to protection, education, health care, proper nutrition and every opportunity to achieve success in the future.”
—H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Secretary General of KSrelief and Advisor to the Royal Court
