In January and February 2025, Executive Director and Founder, Mr. Khalil Demir, presented Zakat Foundation of America’s women empowerment initiatives to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) meeting during the Regular Session of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations in New York, where Zakat Foundation of America was granted special consultative status by the UN ECOSCO Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations. UN ECOSOC is a key UN body that coordinates the economic, social, and related work of 15 specialized agencies, promoting international cooperation and development.
“Zakat Foundation of America partners with UNICEF, UN ECOSOC, and UNHCR to mobilize teams on the ground to ensure donor support reaches needy families efficiently and effectively,” stated Demir, who went on to highlight two specific programs that underscore the Zakat Foundation of America’s work in refugee aid and women’s empowerment.
In October 2024, Zakat Foundation of America celebrated the grand opening of the Eliyaman Women’s Cooperative in Adıyaman, a transformative project aimed at empowering women and providing employment opportunities for 150 women, including many single mothers. The cooperative offers a platform to create and sell local handicrafts, food, and dried products inspired by the region's rich culture, while also providing workshops, a psychotherapy center, childcare, and a prayer room. This initiative is set to revitalize lives and the local economy, marking a significant step toward recovery, resilience, and empowerment in earthquake affected regions.
Locally, Zakat Foundation of America partnered with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the Archdiocese of Chicago to open a comprehensive humanitarian shelter and resettlement program for refugees and displaced families, primarily from the southern border, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church on the city’s Northwest Side in June 2024. Zakat Foundation of America fully administers the shelter’s wrap-around services, including staffing, logistics, and educational programs, in coordination with Chicago Public Schools to ensure young students are enrolled.
Our Livelihoods program creates pathways to economic independence across 23 countries by providing access to skill training for personal development and self-sufficiency, especially for women. We ensure women have equal access to training, job placement, and entrepreneurship support, enabling them to achieve financial independence and positively impact their families and communities.
Since 2001, Zakat Foundation of America has been dedicated to providing both immediate aid and long-term assistance to families affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and marginalization, both within the United States and in 45 countries worldwide. With 12 diverse programs that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), it is leading efforts to lift people out of poverty by offering more than just a handout. Through initiatives focused on food security, education, water access, livelihoods, orphan care, and refugee empowerment, Zakat Foundation of America helps families build a path toward self-reliance and sustainability.
