Challenge the Gap (Q4 2011)

Challenge the Gap
Featured beneficiary in the CHALLENGE THE GAP category for fourth quarter 2011:
ISLAMIC RELIEF USA

ISLAMIC RELIEF USAIslamic Relief USA™ (IRUSA™) was founded in California in 1993 as a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt charity involved in international humanitarian relief efforts. IRUSA is a legally separate and independent member of a global family of collaborating relief organizations that share a common vision, mission, and family identity, and all of which use the term "Islamic Relief" as part of their organizational name.

Our mission: Islamic Relief USA strives to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy, and diseases worldwide regardless of color, race, religion, or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects allowing communities to better help themselves.

Offering relief services for more than a quarter-century, the Islamic Relief family of relief organizations includes locations in more than 35 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

Islamic Relief USA provides emergency disaster relief when it is needed, and spearheads development projects in multiple sectors, including education, income generation, orphan support, health and nutrition, and water and sanitation. IRUSA directly supports international projects in these sectors in nearly 30 countries around the world.

IRUSA is headquartered just outside of Washington, DC, in Alexandria, VA, and maintains regional offices in California, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas.

In addition to its international relief and development initiatives, IRUSA also supports domestic projects to help disadvantaged communities in the United States. Some of Islamic Relief USA's domestic projects have included: community grants, toy fairs for children, financial assistance, healthcare in underserved areas, and the annual 'Day of Dignity' program, which provides food, medical care, hygiene kits, and more to thousands of homeless and underserved people across the country.

FBB welcomes Islamic Relief as the fourth beneficiary in our Challenge the Gap program.

Why is a humanist foundation supporting a religious organization?


LEARN MORE ABOUT ISLAMIC RELIEF USA
Website: http://www.irusa.org/
Annual Report for 2009: Report
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ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS

Foundation Beyond Belief highlights ten charitable organizations per quarter. Among other considerations, beneficiaries are chosen for efficiency, effectiveness, moderate size (annual budget under $10 million), compatibility with humanist focus on mutual care of this world and this life, and geographic diversity. All categories feature secular organizations with the exception of "Challenge the Gap," which gives members the option of supporting one progressive, non-proselytizing religious organization each quarter.