US Programs Grant Applications

Welcome to Islamic Relief USA’s US Programs, where we partner with US  organizations to create a lasting impact across the country. We believe that community-based nonprofits are best equipped to serve their neighbors, and we offer various opportunities to help amplify your reach. Your organization can partner with us through our Domestic Grant Program for long-term projects or join one of our many Seasonal Programs, such as food distributions and community service events. Together, we can work toward our shared mission of alleviating poverty and providing dignity to those in need throughout the United States.

Please note these opportunities  are ONLY for organizations whose programming is in the contiguous 48 United States. 

APPLYING FOR GRANTS

If you are interested in applying for one of our grants or seasonal program opportunities, please review of the following eligibility criteria:
1. The organization is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing.
2. The organization has been active for 3 full calendar years in the United States.
3. The organization’s proposed project’s activities and funds must be distributed exclusively within the US.
4. The organization has an annual cash budget of under $3 million. (strongly desired, but not a disqualifier)
5. The organization is not seeking funding to conduct direct religious activities or services.

PROGRAM RELATED PACKETS

Click to download

1. The Marketing Programs Manual

2. The IRUSA Brand and Visibility Guide

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to create a free Submittable account in order to apply for an IRUSA grant. Here is a quick guide on how to get started.

Funding Priorities

IRUSA makes investments across four categories that covers a broad array of sectors. The proposed project must fit IRUSA’s mission, vision and values, and addresses one or more of the following social issues: 

• Food Security : Grants support holistic, evidence-based solutions to irregular food availability and access in the United States. Programs should address the social, economic, and health effects of food insecurity and are expected to offer comprehensive services, including case management, culturally sensitive food options, hot meals, faith-based food pantries, and other wrap-around support.
• Healthcare Grants aim to mitigate healthcare service gaps and disparities, particularly for under-represented and underserved populations, including refugees. Funding is designated for licensed, non-profit healthcare facilities utilizing evidence-based treatment and providing care at no charge to the beneficiary. Note: This grant does not support individual one-on-one mental health service
• Livelihood Grants focus on supporting community social services that foster self-sufficiency and resilience. Specific programming of interest includes career development, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, citizenship classes, and social service referral programs. 

• Community Development Selected grants support projects addressing social issues such as domestic violence intervention, at-risk youth, inclusivity for special needs populations, senior programming, leadership development, non-profit capacity building, and community cohesion.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If your organization has an idea that furthers our mission and aligns with our goals, we encourage you to apply. The IRUSA Domestic Grant application is an ongoing process with no fixed annual deadlines.

The process is broken down into the following steps:

• • Reach out to Us! 
    • Contact the IRUSA Grants Team at [email protected].  We would like to initially meet with you to hear about your organization and assess if there is a match with our grant priorities. Please do first look at the eligibility criteria in this document! 

• Note: We do not meet with grant writers or consultants unless the applying organization name and contact is in the email and on the call.

• Registration and Organizational Profile:
  • Register on the IRUSA FLUXX platform to allow staff to verify your organization’s eligibility.
    • Note: your registration will not be approved unless you have met with us first to see if there is a match in mission and grant priorities.
  • Once approved, you will be asked to submit an organizational profile.  You will need to have the non profit documents mentioned.  
• Share Your Idea with Us
  • IRUSA staff will conduct a thorough profile review.
  • Following a successful review, staff will ask you to submit a brief Concept Note.
• Invite to Submit a Proposal:

Based on the review and meeting discussion, your organization may be invited to submit the full Program Proposal on the FLUXX platform.

SEASONAL PROGRAMS

Here is more information about our seasonal programs. Please note: Of grant funds used, 85% should be allocated to direct services that would benefit the target audience while a maximum of 15% may be allocated for administrative/ operational costs.

Ramadan Food Box Project

The Ramadan Food Box Project provides food to families in need during the month of Ramadan. IRUSA facilitates the procurement and creation of food boxes. Each food box contains a sufficient amount of food for a family of five for two weeks and consists of basic food staples such as flour, sugar, and pasta. The food boxes are distributed nationwide via service partnerships with community-based non-profit organizations. Partner organizations enter a service agreement with IRUSA to accept the delivery of an agreed-upon quantity of boxes that will serve a local community during the month of Ramadan.

Summer Food Service Program (SUN)

The Summer Food Service Program (SUN), created and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), currently provides organizations with limited funding opportunities to purchase and provide meals to their local communities in the form of reimbursements. Starting in 2011, IRUSA began to supplement and support the USDA in this effort. SUN recipient, organizations are able to start a USDA-approved site, increase the capacity of their current USDA-approved site(s) or develop their role as the meal-providing sponsor to subgrantees. Grants are provided to further enable and encourage wider participation in this program as well as increase food access and support to food-insecure children
throughout the summer months. For more information on how to find or become a USDA site in your state, please click here.

Qurbani Distribution

Qurbani, or sacrifice, is the tradition of sharing meat with the needy at the end of the Hajj Pilgrimage season in time for the celebration of Eid al-Adha. It provides an opportunity for people who cannot afford to purchase meat to receive the nutritional benefits of fresh, chilled, or frozen halal meat. IRUSA provides Qurbani meat to individuals and families in need across the globe, including in the United States. Through Qurbani Distribution, US partner organizations implement the distribution of fresh-cut halal meat parcels to their local communities.  IRUSA only offers a procurement model for this project.

Day of Dignity

Day of Dignity creates an opportunity for caring individuals from diverse communities to provide services to their neighbors in need. The Day of Dignity mission is to promote volunteerism, build relationships, and encourage local organizations to have a transformative impact on their unique community. Bookbags, school kits, jackets, and hygiene kits are some of the in-kind items provided by IRUSA to be distributed during Day of Dignity events. A grant is also given to help support the costs of food, entertainment, venue, etc. Free medical care, screenings, and even barber services can be offered out by the host organization at the event. The host organization is
responsible for accommodating their community’s needs and reaching out to different services and vendors. The day is an effort to provide basic living essentials, medical care, and connect those in need to support services available to them in the long term.

Turkey Distribution

IRUSA facilitates annual Turkey Distributions in cities across the United States during Thanksgiving. IRUSA will procure and deliver turkeys to partners that will deliver them onto people in need. Along with turkeys, partner organizations may distribute other Thanksgiving goods to assist individuals and families who may not have access to these food items. The distribution may occur with regular food pantry distribution dates or as its own event. The goal of this event is to not only address food insecurity in local communities but to also embody the season of giving by bringing the holiday festivities to those who would otherwise not be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving
meal in their homes.

MEET OUR TEAM

So, who are you working with? Here is a list of our U.S. Programs staff. 

Kesha Abdul-Mateen
US Programs Manager
[email protected]

Syeda Baig
Grants Manager
[email protected]

Abdalfatah Ismail
Procurement and Logistics Specialist
[email protected]

Menatallah Megahed
West Regional US Programs Coordinator
[email protected]

Jacqueline Alvarez
US Grants Coordinator
[email protected]

Abdisalam Sharif
South Central Regional US Programs Coordinator
[email protected]

Saira Khan
Southeast Regional US Program Coordinator
[email protected]

Jasmine Saadeh
Midwest Regional US Programs Coordinator
[email protected]

Ali Muhammad
MidAtlantic Regional US Programs Coordinator
[email protected]