American Islamic Congress Inc.

Transcription

1 American Islamic Congress Inc. General Information 38 Newbury Street, Suite 72 Boston, MA 2116 (617) Website Organization Contact Year of Incorporation 21 1

2 Statements & Search Criteria Mission Statement The American Islamic Congress is a nonprofit, non-religious, civil society development organization serving Muslims and Non-Muslims by promoting civil and human rights through advocacy, engagement and education. Background Statement AIC was founded in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in 21 by a diverse group of American Muslims to combat negative stereotypes. In the twelve years since 9/11, AIC has worked to change the discourse both within the American Muslim community and in American society in general by organizing numerous interfaith and inter-ethnic events, providing discussion guides and educational curriculum to the public, and launching a student-led campus initiative, Project Nur, that offers an alternative Muslim voice and a civic identity grounded in pluralism and progressive thinking. Project Nur is now on 8 campuses across the country. In 29, AIC launched the New England Interfaith Council which is led by a diverse group of American Muslims. The Council conceives of and implements programs that showcase the diversity of the Muslim world from Master Classes about Turkish musical instruments to Muslim Women in the Arts exhibits to roundtables for Muslim small businessman. AIC has been working on the ground in the Middle East/North Africa since 23, with U.S. directors collaborating with indigenous staff in local bureaus to implement cutting-edge programs in environments of political repression and inter-communal violence. In 28 in Iraq, AIC launched Ambassadors for Peace (A4P), a partnership between AIC and Cure Violence. AIC adopted Cure Violence s award winning anti-violence method for an Iraqi context, where it has been remarkably successful in reducing violence in Basrah and Sadr City. In Egypt, we run dynamic programs, including a groundbreaking human rights film festival, a debate series, debate training for youth, and a campaign to educate on the tenets of democratic citizenship and civil rights. In Tunisia, AIC is training social entrepreneurs and providing them with micro-grants to turn their visions into on-the-ground projects that engage their local communities. Our diverse regional projects enable us to identify emerging leaders with untapped potential and limited opportunities to act on their ideals. We make a point of engaging these young thinkers and empowering them with practical skills to make an impact in their local communities. AIC is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Boston, Turkey, Tunis, Basrah, and Baghdad and employs more than 1 people around the world. 2

3 Impact Statement AIC's has secured several accomplishments in Boston and New England within the past year: In September 212, AIC held the fourth annual Massachusetts Salute to Ramadan.The Salute to Ramadan celebrates Muslim-American leadership through service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the spirit of introspection and giving, AIC donated food collected throughout the month to Boston s Pine Street Inn. Guests at the event, which took place at the State House, included State Treasurer Steve Grossman. On Thursday April 18, 213 Nasser Weddady, Civil Rights Outreach Director at AIC and Chairman of the New England Interfaith Council spoke at the Healing of Our City Interfaith Service for the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings. Alongside President Barack Obama, Governor Deval Patrick, and Mayor Thomas Menino, Nasser addressed an interfaith audience on the importance of interfaith efforts in healing the Boston community. From January 2thto May 18th213, AIC held the Muslim Women in the Arts: Home and Away series. Thiswas a unique arts and culture series spotlighting the work of four Boston-based female artists from Iran, Pakistan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. The series aimed in part to address a lack of exhibits by contemporary Muslim artists in Boston s galleries and museums, a void that reinforces the perception that Muslim art is limited to calligraphy and rugs. AIC's top goals for the next year include: Continuing to develop robust Boston Center programming that appeals to a wide range of communities. Programs will demonstrate the diversity of Muslim culture and promote pluralism.continue to expand our membership base. Creating more civic partnerships in Boston and throughout the New England area. Needs Statement 1. Fundraising: $45, for the addition of fundraising staff to provide support for annual fund development, membership building, and event planning. 2. Volunteers: Muslim-Americans committed to the values of pluralism, tolerance and diversity who are ready or organize as a community. 3. Board Development training for AIC staff and Board. 4. Professional Development training for AIC staff CEO/Executive Director Statement AIC is a non-religious civic initiative uniting Muslims and non-muslims not around religion but around shared culture. Service Categories Civil Rights Democracy And Civil Society Development Cultural & Ethnic Awareness Geographic Areas Served Please review online profile for full list of selected areas served. 3

4 Programs The AIC Center Description The AIC Center, located in Boston on Newbury Street, is advancing tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples. The AIC Center offers visitors a gateway to a scene of innovators and artists who explore the diversity of American Muslim identity. Overlooking the Back Bay, the center s interior hall includes a stage for artistic performances, business roundtables, human rights panels, and social events. The Center s multimedia facilities screen cutting-edge films and video feeds from inspiring civil rights advocates around the world. Gallery space will spotlight exhibits by local and international artists. Conference rooms host educational programs led by experts in myriad disciplines. The venue can also be reserved for celebrations, community events and classes. Budget Category Population Served Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Cultural & Ethnic Awareness Middle East, US& International, Adults The ongoing presentation of dynamic, community-building events that showcase the diversity of Muslim culture. A sustainable hub for intercultural exchange within the Muslim community, and among all people. Surveys, database management, attendance records, membership growth, qualitative database tracking. Membership grows by 2% per year, events consistently attract diverse audiences of 1 or more attendees, as well as civic leaders and politicians, event regularly garner press coverage, and journalists, policymakers and scholars consult AIC as the goto voice for Muslim civic representation. 4

5 Project Nur Description Project Nur is a student-led initiative advocating for social justice by empowering responsible leaders to cultivate an environment of acceptance and mutual respect between Muslims and all communities. Project Nur has student led chapters on 8 campuses across the U.S. Chapters implement hundreds of events including lectures, panel discussions, performances, and exhibits that create interfaith dialogue and educate about current events. Chapter members develop skills to become our next generation of leaders. Project Nur's goals are: Lead a movement to promote principles of human rights and civil rights in the United States and around the world by raising awareness through programs and events.engage student leaders in civic and entrepreneurial initiatives by actively participating in projects in our local communities and abroad.provide a space for every one of different cultural backgrounds and experiences to celebrate the diversity in our nation.build the next generation of leaders to remedy the challenges facing the American Muslim community through action-based initiatives focused on promoting coexistence of all communities.create the ground for voices of pluralism of American Muslims and American non-muslims by working with students who are progressive, reformist, liberal, secular, moderate or conservative, without proselytizing and judging Muslims of different thought. Budget 6441 Category Population Served Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, General/Other Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, General/Other College Aged (18-26 years), Adults, US Each campus chapter will hold 4-6 events per year.8 students will participate in Leadership Conference and learn communications, organizing, and event planning skills. More Muslim students enter careers in government and become civic leaders. Students become more tolerant and open minded to the diversity of Muslim cultures and thought. Project Nur uses surveys and focus groups to learn what does and does not work among our chapters. In addition, staff travel regularly to meet with chapter leaders and learn about their concerns and any issues they are experiencing. 5

6 Examples of Program Success Forbes Project Nur s groundbreaking series Science and Islam which explores Muslim perceptions of modern science and religion has twice been profiled in Forbes. Project Nur chapter at the University of California Santa Barbara was accepted into the Clinton Global Initiative. Out of thousands of applicants, this chapter was chosen for its commitment to volunteerism and interfaith work. In addition, Project Nur has been institutionalized at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) through the Multi-Cultural Center. Only 1% of student groups are given this privilege. UCSB now recognizes Project Nur as the public face and go to organization for interfaith dialogue. 6

7 Management CEO/Executive Director Executive Director Term Start Oct 21 Ms. Zainab Al-Suwaij Experience Zainab Al-Suwaij is a co-founder of the American Islamic Congress (AIC) and has been its Executive Director since its inception in 21. In the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, Zainab left her teaching position at Yale to launch AIC with the mission of building interfaith and interethnic understanding and to represent the diversity of American Muslim life. Over the past decade, Zainab s leadership has expanded AIC into an international organization with six bureaus worldwide, including the U.S., Egypt, Iraq, and newest location, Tunisia. Under her direction, AIC has trained hundreds of young Middle Eastern activists in the methods of non-violent protest and social media mobilization, empowering them to challenge regimes during the Arab Spring. In Iraq, she launched a program that disrupts and mediates tribal and sectarian violence as it happens, saving countless lives in both Basra and Baghdad. Zainab s vision for acceptance and understanding in the U.S. is being realized through AIC s growing campus initiative, Project Nur, as well as its Interfaith Councils and groundbreaking Witness Series. Zainab is an outspoken advocate for women s equality, civil rights, and interfaith understanding. She has briefed Congress and the White House and has been invited to speak at numerous panel events, universities, and think tanks. Zainab has published editorials in the three largest American newspapers: The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. She has appeared on NPR, BBC, Al-Jazeera, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, CNN, and Fox. Named an Ambassador of Peace by the Interreligious and International Peace Council, Zainab has received Dialogue on Diversity s Liberty Award and was recognized as 26 International Person of the Year by the National Liberty Museum. Raised in Basra, Iraq, Zainab fled the country after participating in the 1991 uprising against Saddam Hussein and is now a U.S. citizen living in the Washington, D.C. area. Staff Information Full Time Staff Part Time Staff Volunteers Contractors Retention Rate % Staff Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black Asian American/Pacific Islander Caucasian Hispanic/Latino Native American/American Indian

8 Other 86 Arab Staff Demographics - Gender Male Female Unspecified Formal Evaluations CEO Formal Evaluation CEO/Executive Formal Evaluation Frequency Senior Management Formal Evaluation Senior Management Formal Evaluation Frequency NonManagement Formal Evaluation Non Management Formal Evaluation Frequency Annually Annually Annually Plans & Policies Organization has a Fundraising Plan? Organization has a Strategic Plan? Does your organization have a Business Continuity of Operations Plan? Management Succession Plan? Organization Policy and Procedures Nondiscrimination Policy Whistleblower Policy Document Destruction Policy Is your organization licensed by the Government? Under Development No No 8

9 Board & Governance Board Chair Board Chair Ms. Zainab Al-Suwaij Company Affiliation American Islamic Congress Term Oct 21 to Board Members Name Affiliation Status Zainab Al-Suwaij AIC Voting Dr. Hillel Fradkin Hudson Institute Voting Ms. Harriet Fulbright President of the J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center Voting Dr. Sa'ad Eddin Ibrahim Ibn Khaldun Center Voting Dr. Zuhdi Jasser Chairman, American Islamic Forum for Democracy Voting Sayyed Nadeem Kazmi Consultant Voting Khaleel Mohammed San Diego State University Voting Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black Asian American/Pacific Islander Caucasian Hispanic/Latino Native American/American Indian Other 2 5 Arab Board Demographics - Gender Male Female Unspecified 5 2 Board Information Board Term Lengths Board Term Limits Number of Full Board Meetings Annually Board Meeting Attendance % % 9

10 Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Percentage Making Monetary Contributions Constituency Includes Client Representation Under Development Comments CEO Comments AIC is in the process of revitalizing our Board of Directors. To that end, we have been working with an organizational development consultant to set organization goals and develop our Board. 1

11 Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start Jan 1, 21 Fiscal Year End Dec 31, 212 Projected Revenue $4,93,62. Projected Expenses $4,927,942. Endowment? No Spending Policy N/A Credit Line? No Reserve Fund? No Months Reserve Fund Covers Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Fiscal Year Total Revenue $2,616,735 $1,434,83 $1,734,269 Total Expenses $2,811,783 $1,655,87 $1,357,198 Revenue Sources Fiscal Year Foundation and Corporation Contributions Government Contributions $1,458,696 $45,588 $433,597 Federal State Local Unspecified $1,458,696 $45,588 $433,597 Individual Contributions $1,155,539 $981,117 $1,298,645 Indirect Public Support Earned Revenue Investment Income, Net of Losses Membership Dues Special Events Revenue In-Kind Other $2,5 $3,125 $2,27 11

12 Expense Allocation Fiscal Year Program Expense $2,375,756 $1,397,244 $1,47,718 Administration Expense $268,17 $149,468 $279,56 Fundraising Expense $167,92 $19,158 $3,424 Payments to Affiliates Total Revenue/Total Expenses Program Expense/Total Expenses 84% 84% 77% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue 6% 8% 2% Assets and Liabilities Fiscal Year Total Assets $1,132,319 $799,985 $924,41 Current Assets $1,128,526 $794,214 $916,83 Long-Term Liabilities $575, $ $ Current Liabilities $13,558 $178,176 $81,192 Total Net Assets $426,761 $621,89 $842,849 Short Term Solvency Fiscal Year Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities Long Term Solvency Fiscal Year Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets 51% % % Top Funding Sources Fiscal Year Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Capital Campaign Currently in a Capital Campaign? No Comments Foundation Staff Comments Previous fiscal period data in the charts and graphs above is per the organization's Audited Financials. Created Copyright 219 The Boston Foundation 12