1. Inspiring
Arab-American
Giving
“You give but little when
you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself
that you truly give.”
– Kahlil Gibran

2. Philanthropy
The voluntary
giving of charitable
donations or time
in support of the
common good.
An engaging,
sustained activity
aimed at permanent
social change.
A rab Americans have long cherished the tradition of giving
to family, neighbors and religious institutions. Deeply rooted
in a culture that values community and family, Arab Americans have
founded community organizations, supported new immigrants and
met the humanitarian needs of Arabs in the Arab world. While Arab
Americans have always given informally, the community has only
recently embraced formal philanthropy as a way to empower Arab
Americans.
After years of a difficult political climate, the Arab-American com-
munity has experienced a renewal of community activism to address
long-standing stereotypes of Arab Americans. Strategic philanthropy
is one powerful way to promote a positive image of Arab-American
participation in our country’s civic life. Through philanthropy, Arab
Americans are telling their own story about their contributions as
Americans and are building institutions to support Arab-American
history, culture and leadership. They are saying that when we give
strategically, we strengthen the whole community.

3. This publication profiles five Arab-American philanthropists
who have inspired others through their leadership in giving
and volunteerism. They give passionately with individual goals
but a common commitment: empowering the Arab-American
community. One message is clear: Arab Americans cannot afford
to sit on the sidelines. Get involved. Whatever way you can, make
a difference in our communities, our country and our world.
This publication also highlights the important trends in Arab-
American philanthropy as well as giving strategies and resources.
We hope that you will be inspired by these stories and resources
to give more deeply of your time and money. Now is the time to
build upon the strength of the Arab-American community, and to
forge new opportunities for individuals and the community.
?

4. “Generosity is not
giving me that What is Arab-American
which I need more philanthropy?
than you do, but it • Arab-American giving priorities include supporting
their families, religious institutions, education, youth
is giving me that development and humanitarian aid
• Arab-American giving is motivated by a strong
which you need cultural commitment to family and community
• Donors give to mainstream organizations, Arab-
more than I do.” American organizations, and international causes
– Kahlil Gibran
How do Arab Americans
give?
• Arab Americans give primarily through cash donations,
rather than the full range of financial vehicles
• Arab Americans give generously of their time, but do
not usually label this as “volunteering”
• Arab Americans give generously in response to crises,
particularly to civil liberties causes in the United States
and humanitarian concerns in the Arab world
What factors do
Arab Americans consider
when donating?
• Arab Americans give when there is a personal
relationship and trust has been built
• Arab Americans carefully consider the leadership,
accountability, programs and reputation of an
organization before giving
• After the attacks of September 11, 2001, Arab Americans
focus on well-respected, well-known organizations in the
community as a hedge against being targeted for their
philanthropy

5. Giving Strategies
Strategic giving builds community by
strengthening the Arab-American voice and
by addressing the challenges faced by Arab
Americans—and all Americans in need. You
can give strategically in many different ways:
• Regularly donate cash or assets to an
effective Arab-American organization or to
mainstream organizations
• Volunteer your time in the Arab-American
or mainstream community
• Establish a giving circle with your friends
and family, coordinating your giving on
behalf of local community organizations
• Start a giving program at your business
that includes grants to Arab-American
organizations and other non-profits
• Establish a private foundation for you and
your family to focus your giving
• Establish a charitable trust, designating
one or more non-profits or educational
institutions as the beneficiary
• Designate a non-profit organization as the
beneficiary of an insurance policy

6. Houeida Saad
Washington, DC
S
ince obtaining her law degree in
1992, Houeida Saad has given an
enormous amount of her time,
energy and money to defending hu-
man rights. In a landmark case in 1999,
Houeida represented a Palestinian man
detained on secret evidence while in de-
portation proceedings. Houeida donated
over 2,000 hours and sold her house to
finance her work because she believed
in protecting due process and the con-
stitutional rights of all people. “My client
had no where else to turn,” says Houeida.
After 19 months in custody, her client was
released and the case set legal precedent
when a federal judge held that detention
based on secret evidence is a violation of
due process.
Saad on her research mission in
Khaim, Lebanon in November, 2006.
collaboration
Houeida’s philosophy is that you do not need to Houeida’s philanthropic work began as a nurse
be wealthy to give. “If you cannot give money, you working in international relief. Her passion is health
can give your time and expertise” she says. And she and human rights. She is currently completing a pro
does, using her professional experience and time to bono project for the ADC Research Institute on the
make a lasting impact. “It is important to balance Violations of International Law in Lebanon during
your professional life and to give back to community the 2006 war.
organizations. Our community cannot afford to not “Arab Americans must participate in the legal
utilize our professional talent to the maximum.” and political process as a community. We cannot be
Currently the Deputy General Counsel for Inova complacent and assume others will protect our civil
Health System in Northern Virginia, and Adjunct and human rights.” Houeida notes. As an immigrant
Professor at the Washington College of Law at Amer- herself, Houeida appreciates what this country has
ican University, Houeida always finds time to give. given her. “Americans give whether through their
“Every year I dedicate time to a non-profit organiza- work, wealth or wisdom, and I want to be a part of
tion that can benefit from my work,” Houeida says. that,” she says. And judging by her actions, she is.

7. Jim Jabara
Plymouth, MI
F
or Jim Jabara, the third child in
a family of seven, philanthropy
begins at home. “I start with the
community and try to set an example
for others. Eventually, you can make
changes in your community and the
community
surrounding areas. Change does not
happen overnight.”
Jim’s commitment to giving back to his community the Library and Chamber of Commerce boards and
began as a teenager in his father’s grocery store in a recently started a Community Foundation in Ply-
small town in northern Michigan. “Our father was a mouth to support local non-profits.
very generous person. In a lot of instances, he gave Jim says, “When I get involved, I wear my na-
credit to people, though he knew in his heart that tionality on my arm. A lot of people are afraid to do
he would not get paid.” Jim’s father instilled in him that. But when you get involved as an Arab American,
a sense of responsibility to community. He also people look at you differently and, by being involved,
taught his children the value of service and hard you break down the barriers and the discrimination
work. “Having been raised as a first generation that some people have about Arabs.”
American with a strong work ethic was a plus that I Jim not only gives of his own time and financial
did not realize until later in life.” support, particularly to the Salvation Army, but he
Jim first started giving back as a young man in uses his skills and experience to make the greatest
Grand Rapids by helping elderly neighbors with impact on the community. “Giving time is an indica-
outdoor chores in the winter and the summer. tion of your support and is an opportunity to be in-
Since moving to Plymouth, Michigan in 1959, Jim volved in your community. For those who are unable
has started a Kiwanis Club, served on the board of to give their time, we ask for their financial support.
directors of the Salvation Army for over 30 years, I believe that we take what life has to offer and give
spent 16 years on the City Commission, served on some of it back.”

8. Wafa Salah
Bloomfield Hills, MI
F
rom the moment Wafa Salah ar-
rived in the United States, she
has been directing her energy
and money to support organizations
working for the good of Arabs and Arab
Americans. Whether it is the United
Holy Land Fund, the Detroit Chapter
of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimina-
tion Committee or ACCESS and the
Arab American National Museum, Wafa
success
is investing in building institutions that
support, strengthen and share the story
of the Arab-American community.
Wafa’s philanthropic passion was shaped by her Wafa does more than get involved, she is a lead-
experience with the 1967 war. “I saw the Palestin- er in giving and fundraising, especially for the Arab
ian refugees wading across the Jordan River with American National Museum (AANM). Currently,
their belongings on their backs, escaping the war. Wafa chairs the Friends of the AANM committee in
This scene has been imprinted on my mind. The the greater Detroit area, a committee that has raised
tragedy of the Palestinian people has affected my over $500,000 for the AANM in the last two years.
entire life.” “We are founding something, an institution that the
Wafa has spent countless hours raising funds community is proud of. It is incredibly rewarding
and supporting organizations that are building the when I see a goal materialize and I know that I have
capacity of the Arab-American community. “As a accomplished something. What a great feeling.”
community, we constantly have to prove ourselves, “I feel very blessed. I have had the opportu-
and this does not happen by doing nothing. We nity to meet some wonderful people and have made
have to be involved in order to make a better life for some incredible friends through my involvement. I
our children and ourselves,” Wafa says. “I am very have so many dreams for the future, and I hope to
focused in my giving and volunteerism. In part, this do so much more for our community.”
is why I have achieved something.”

9. Sam Saad
Naples, FL
I
f Sam Saad was to put a bumper stick-
er on his car, it would simply read
“Get ’er done!” A third generation
Lebanese American, Sam’s activism began
as a child when he handed out stickers
and candy in parades for local candidates.
service
Since that time, he never passes up an op-
portunity to share the concerns of Arab
Americans with policy makers.
Most recently, Saad was active with the Network for I feel personally more fulfilled when I’m involved. I
Arab-American Professionals (NAAP) in Washing- would rather give my blood, sweat and tears.” Most
ton, D.C., an organization bringing together Arab- importantly, Saad understands that change does not
American professionals for networking, celebration happen in communities overnight. “Why should we
of Arab-American culture, and community service. get involved in our community? Because it is our
For two years, Saad was the coordinator of the D.C. community. Your community is your neighborhood,
chapter, the political director and the chair of NAAP’s your town, your state, your country and the whole
ART TV show. At the peak of his involvement, Saad world, and in that order,” Saad says. “Leave a mark,
was volunteering over 20 hours a week, in addition to no matter how small, on the society around you.”
his full time job as special assistant to the Solicitor at Saad believes that the Arab-American commu-
the Department of Labor. “I could have just written nity can build strength by getting involved. “When
a check to NAAP, so they would have money. But, it comes to integrating into American culture, par-
I said I am going to every meeting, I am going to be ticipation is the key. Do something, volunteer for
there. I am going to do what I can.” an organization you think does good work, write
Saad approaches all of his giving strategically. “I checks to organizations doing good work, or start
like to be involved and on the ground to see that my your own organization. That is the social fabric of
decisions and my money are being used wisely. And, America.”

10. Betty Sams
Bethesda, MD
S
hortly after marrying, Betty Sams
and her late husband Jim became
involved in community activities.
Though without many resources at the
time, Jim, a tax attorney, volunteered count-
less hours in the 1960’s and 1970’s providing
professional advice for new organizations
that addressed needs in the Arab world and
co-founded American Near East Refugee
Aid, an organization still providing hu-
vision
manitarian services to Palestinian and other
refugees in the Arab world.
I
t was during the 1980’s, when Betty and Jim underwrites a course on the Middle East at Sidwell
became more established that they began to Friends School in Washington. The University
contribute significantly to educational and of Michigan Law School has used the fund for in-
cultural organizations. “Jim guided and edu- ternational conferences, scholarship aid and course
cated me,” Betty says. “I was more cautious than he. development. “There is little knowledge about
He was convinced that in order to have the kind of the Arab world, the people or the issues, and if we
impact that we wanted on how our money should be cannot address these as Arab Americans through
spent, it should be a significant amount.” volunteer efforts, or through strengthening ex-
With a strong commitment to education and a isting educational institutions, then who will?”
consciousness of their heritage, the Sams have given Betty says.
to their alma maters to provide programming and In addition to giving to educational institutions
curriculum on the Arab world. Betty says, “With and the Arab world, Betty gives to organizations where
the funds we established at the educational institu- she has a strong personal commitment, such as the
tions, we always gave them flexibility. We do not Washington National Opera, the Smithsonian Ameri-
lock them solely into programming on the Middle can Art Museum and The Grameen Foundation.
East, but we advise that those are our interests. All Betty’s commitment is more than just giving
have respected our wishes.” money. “Jim and I have always been workers, as
At Northwestern University, the Sams funded a well as givers. The good news is that our younger
speaker’s program with experts on the Middle East. generation is becoming more and more involved in
Through the Sam’s giving, Smith College digitized how funds are spent. It is encouraging more trans-
a collection of photos from the Middle East from parency in organizations and responsible leadership
the 1800’s to the 1940’s. A portion of a faculty salary at all levels.”

11. The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) is a network of local,
independent Arab-American social service organizations. The Network’s primary mission
is the development of institutions that can meet the needs and represent the concerns of
Arab Americans locally, while collectively addressing these concerns nationally.
The Network supports the development of financially strong and effectively man-
aged community-based organizations through a broad range of programs. By leverag-
ing the collective efforts of its members, the Network is able to improve the lives of
local communities, and empower the Arab-American community nationally.
The Collaborative for Arab-American Philanthropy, a Network program, is the first
initiative to build community strength by supporting strategic philanthropy in the Arab-
American community. The Network encourages service and volunteerism through the
National Arab-American Service Day, held annually in 15 cities across the country.
The Network is a project of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social
Services (ACCESS) in Dearborn, Michigan.
For more information about strategic giving, resources and assistance contact the
Collaborative for Arab-American Philanthropy at:
2601 Saulino Court • Dearborn, Michigan 48120
www.nnaac.org
Jamie Kim, Director, Collaborative for Arab-American Philanthropy
(313) 842-7010 • jkim@accesscommunity.org
Major support for this publication was contributed by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
and the C.S Mott Foundation.

12. MEMBERS
Arab American AACCESS ACCESS Arab American
Action Network Cleveland, OH Dearborn, MI Association of
Chicago, IL New York
Arab-American Arab-American Brooklyn, NY
Arab Cultural and Cultural and Family Support
Community Center Community Center Center Arab American
San Francisco, CA Houston, TX Brooklyn, NY Family Services
Chicago, IL
American-Arab Access California GLAASS
Heritage Council Services Lansing, MI PARTNERING
Flint, MI Anaheim, CA ORGANIZATION
Philadelphia
Alif Institute Arab American
Arab American Arab-American
Institute Foundation
Community Center Atlanta, GA Community
Washington, DC
Orlando, FL Development Corp.
Philadelphia, PA