Why I Stayed with AFP: Elevating Community Through Affinity Groups and Muslim Philanthropy

When I first stepped into the world of philanthropy, it was through the University of Michigan’s Development Summer Internship Program. I had no idea then that my journey in fundraising would span over 15 years—and that throughout it, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) would serve as a constant, guiding presence.

From Detroit to Silicon Valley and now Tampa Bay, I’ve remained an active member of AFP since 2009. The community, education, and professional growth I’ve gained have been invaluable—not only to my own career, but also to the broader mission of inclusive and impactful philanthropy.

Here’s why AFP continues to be my professional home—and why it should be yours, too.

Finding My Affinity: Muslim Fundraisers in Philanthropy

AFP doesn’t just talk about equity—it creates spaces for it. From affinity groups to thought leadership, AFP helps fundraisers from underrepresented backgrounds find community and share their voices.

In recent years, AFP conferences have overlapped with the month of Ramadan. This criticism was brought to AFP leadership, and it was dealt with in a professional manner. We agreed that moving forward, additional care would be taken to make sure that programming would not overlap with religious holidays and times of reflection. This is an excellent example of how intentional conversations around IDEA can benefit, not just the Muslim community, but all of AFP. 

In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to co-lead and support two growing communities within AFP:

• The Muslim Affinity Group, a global network that connects Muslim fundraisers, builds shared learning, and increases visibility of Muslim Philanthropy and practitioners within the sector. Join us for our next meeting, September 17 at 3 p.m. ET.
• The Muslim CFRE Study Group, which provides a peer-support model for fundraisers pursuing their Certified Fund Raising Executive credential—an important marker of professionalism and expertise.

These groups are deeply personal to me. As co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), I’ve witnessed firsthand the generosity, diversity, and complexity of Muslim philanthropy in the U.S.—and how often it’s misunderstood or left out of mainstream conversations.

Through AMCF, we’re helping to change that narrative. Since 2017, we’ve distributed over $25 million to more than 1,000+ nonprofit organizations, including endowments, donor-advised funds, giving circles, memorial funds, and more. Our model builds upon traditional tools like zakat (obligatory almsgiving in Islam) and sadaqah (voluntary charity), while integrating them into modern philanthropic infrastructure.

Shining a Light on Muslim Philanthropy

According to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), American Muslims are the most likely faith group to give to causes outside their own community. In 2022, 69% of American Muslims gave to faith-based causes, and 61% gave to non-faith-based ones. The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University further confirms that zakat—estimated at over $4 billion annually in the U.S.—remains one of the most untapped opportunities for nonprofit partnerships and community collaboration. This data, in addition to Giving USA's, provides valuable information about the influence of faith and philanthropy.

This is where AFP members, chapters, and affinity groups can—and should—lean in. Whether you’re working in human services, education, healthcare, or the arts, there are opportunities to better understand and engage Muslim donors with cultural fluency and religious literacy.

If you’d like to learn more about Muslim philanthropy, check out this recent article on generosity during Dhul Hijjah. 

Find Your Affinity

The Muslim affinity group is one example, but there are AFP affinity groups for all types of identities, as well as fundraising specialties. Many of these groups have recurring virtual meetings, as well as an online discussion community to keep in touch with the people you meet. 

Check out the list of affinity groups and their upcoming meetings here.