I originally come from a humble family. I’ve always been known to care about others, not about myself. I felt a responsibility to my community and felt that I had the talent, I had the preparation, and who else would do it if I didn’t take the lead? I really enjoy seeing when I’m making a difference….
Congratulations to our 2020 Ali, Isabella and Giselle Legacy Scholarship recipients — Isha Gupta, Guntaaz Kaur and Nick Mansfield! This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Issam and Dr. Rima Abbas and their three children, Ali, Isabella and Giselle. The scholarship is part of The Abbas Family Red Wagon Fund which was created…
As a community foundation dedicated to improving communities and reshaping perceptions, the Center for Arab American Philanthropy advocates for a just and equitable society for all, especially for the Black community. It is a stance we take in favor of humanity, in favor of a society that includes the equal participation of each and every individual. We aim to use our…
In times of crisis, every penny counts, but most importantly to know that we have shoulders to lean on has been the most comforting. We’re excited to announce that CAAP has granted a total of $80,000 to 19 Arab American nonprofit organizations across the U.S. The grants, which range from $2,000 to $5,000 each, aim…
“Because of my upbringing, I related a lot to what the Syrians were going through. A lot of grace came my way so I wanted to do something similar.” Ghaida Zeini Neouchy immigrated to the Bay Area at the age of 19 from Lebanon, leaving a country still in the midst of a civil war….
“I just hustle, make money and give back,” is the motto for this 27 year old Syrian American. Chafik “The Chief” Zaideh is the Director of Business Development at Granada Islamic school, as well as a business consultant who helps define streams of revenue for nonprofits to continue providing their services. But when he isn’t…
As a community foundation, the safety and well-being of the communities we serve is always our top priority, and in the wake of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), that commitment does not waver. The most effective protection against infection is making sure that we are seeking responsible and factual information from certified sources and consistently practicing healthy hygiene….
“I learned generosity like I learned a lot of other significant life skills—from my parents and from the Ramallah community I grew up in. My Palestinian heritage was my greatest teacher. And I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. So, I did what I could to give back to my Palestinian…
I remember my dad making contributions to the church, every Sunday, no matter what. Philanthropy, from a small scale, became a familial act and—to this day—my favorite philanthropic experiences are ones where I feel like family. My mother is Lebanese and my father is French Canadian but, like so many people of their generation, they…
When you’re fighting Islamophobia, when you’re debunking and correcting misconceptions, when you’re thinking outside of the box to promote inclusion and diversity locally, regionally, even nationally—you make bold decisions not made before because your gut tells you, ‘this is the right thing. Do the right thing.’ Truly, the best part is helping an idea develop…