Arab Foundations Forum

I run the only network of Arab foundations and donors working in the Arab region. The region comprises 22 countries and represents almost 10% of the world's geography. With a vibrant and deeply entrenched philanthropic tradition, it remains one of the least represented regions globally when it comes to the sector - I aim to change that. Engagement of our sector with our global peers is critical to the sustainability of our third sector, and the exchange of data, knowledge, capacity development, and advocacy on behalf of the Arab philanthropic sector in a strategic way are key in allowing us to represent this region that plays an important role in the global ecosystem but is poised to be even more impactful with partnerships and collaborations that are cross-regional and global.

We have a dearth of relevant data on philanthropy across the region in the most basic sense - the who, what, when, how, and why? of Arab philanthropy are questions for which no data set exists. It is my express mission that my organization plays a leading role in changing this, and in using data to further enhance the efficacy, impact, and sustainable progress the sector is capable of.

I’ve observed firsthand the important role of the development sector in the realm of social impact. For instance, one of my priorities, since I began my role as CEO at AFF, has been to initiate a data-gathering initiative on the sector. The most convincing argument I can make for why this data is critical? Impact. The single best way to prove the value of the work and the value of the sector is to demonstrate its impact. Plain and simple.

I am passionate about things being “local” – local context leads to local empowerment. I believe that impact is delivered at its maximum potential when it is localized to the context in which it exists. The network I represent comprises the grantmaking actors in the social and civil sector of the Arab region. The sector needs a strong galvanizing body to unite it and the Arab Foundations Forum is well-positioned to address many of the needs of its network, but it needs to be supported with investments that allow it to grow. I am committed to finding ways to increase the worthwhile investment in building a sustainable and impactful infrastructure for philanthropy support.

The mission of the Forum is to build a more strategic sector of giving. We aim to build a network of like-minded foundations and philanthropic organizations; to establish a hub of knowledge and resource aimed at enriching the regional sector; to drive thought leadership around pertinent issues regarding philanthropy; to build capacity and increase opportunities for collaboration and to serve as the infrastructure hub for on behalf of our network.

The Arab region's philanthropic sector faces many challenges regarding the capacity to network, collaborate, share information and resources, and establishing strong systems of governance and accountability vis-à-vis the sector. We view our position in this sector as conveners, encourages, and provocateurs: we convene the sector and promote the opportunities for collaboration amongst our network within and outside of our membership; we encourage our network to find and sustain ways in which they can cooperate with each other in order to increase the impact of the incredibly important work they do, and we aim to provoke and bring to the table the issues that affect our sector and our region by serving as thought leaders and spearheading advocacy initiatives that drive important issues to the forefront of the conversation.

At AFF, we often think about the trajectory the sector is heading in because this very much impacts the way we serve our members and our network, and we are often alone in this exercise as the only representative of the grantmaking sector in the region. 

The role of our non-profit sector players cannot be understated. Our societies – many of which depend on the efficacy of the third sector in many ways – will not survive without a concerted effort on our part to build partnerships that are based on shared experience, transparency of data, shared knowledge, and in the true spirit of building stronger societies together.

Without the support of a network like the AFF to unite the sector in its endeavors, the impact of that work is greatly diminished. In our membership network alone, all our member foundations have at LEAST one program, if not more, that focuses specifically on addressing one or more of the 17 SDGs. We have an opportunity to galvanize a critical component of our region’s philanthropic capital in achieving the SDGs and in helping to develop impact.

A robust, strategic, and well-funded infrastructure for philanthropy support is paramount in creating a functioning and impactful civil society sector.

The Arab region has one of the youngest populations globally with a youth population under the age of 25 that makes up approximately 50% of the 400 million Arabs. This represents an exceptionally critical population that remains, for the most part, disenfranchised and under-represented in our sector. We have an opportunity to galvanize a critical component of our region’s population and to engage youth in achieving the SDGs and, although there are hugely successful programs and philanthropy-driven initiatives that are doing that across the region, there’s a lot more to be done if we hope to create a cadre of future leaders who will contribute to our societies positively and effectively.