The Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children (GMPFC), is the first organisation focused on Muslim giving, to be launched by a United Nations organisation (UNICEF) alongside a multi-lateral development bank. The goal of GMPFC is to serve as a vessel to use Muslim giving to positively impact children and young people.

Launched by UNICEF and the Islamic Development bank (IsDB), the fund is expected to broaden the reach of and enable multiple forms of Muslim Philanthropy. Its aim is to reach children in need of humanitarian support and help achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs). It is planned to allocate funding to UNICEF and IsDB programmes in the 57 member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). These have been deemed eligible to receive Muslim giving, uphold UNICEF core values to deliver positive impact on education, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, early childhood development, and protection and youth empowerment.

The funding will also accommodate for multiple forms of giving such as Zakat, which may contribute $600 billion, serving as a potential source of sustainable funding to help achieve the SDGs. The fund is seeking to raise $250 million, administered by the IsDB, and aims to source grants from private and public foundations, Zakat agencies and individuals.

Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, chairman of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, made a $10 million commitment to the fund, that will be given over the course of three years. His commitment was made to support refugee education programmes in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Dr. Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank said, ‘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. Through our investment in the Fund we help to ensure that refugee children are able to claim their right to a quality education.’

Read more about the fund here.