New America Media, News Report, Suzanne Manneh, Posted: Aug 27, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO—Philanthropy is usually not the first word associated with Arabs and Arab-Americans. But nationwide, Arab community organizations like the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) say they look forward to seeing this perception change.

A project of the nonprofit Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), the Dearborn, Mich.-based group is the first national giving program in the Arab American community, and just last week announced the recipients of its annual round of national grants. In their third funding cycle, CAAP will distribute $53,000 among twelve organizations. They have awarded nearly $180,000 since first making grants in 2009, and have contributed to international causes such as the 2009 siege on Gaza, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the earthquake in Japan earlier this year.

Katherine Hanway, Donor Services Program Officer at CAAP, who is of Lebanese descent, said philanthropy is important in the Arab American community, because “it’s a way to make our community stronger, to make our generosity and the collective power of Arab American giving known.”
Arab culture has long stressed the importance of charity. “Philanthropy is an honored tradition in Arab culture,” according to Kate Casa, director of communications for ACESS, who adds that “Arabs are just giving in general, so [philanthropy] is definitely not a foreign concept.”

As an example Casa cites the Islamic tradition known as Zakat, whereby the faithful are required to set aside a portion of their income for those in need. She notes, however, that most giving within the Arab community has generally taken place within religious institutions, be it the church or the mosque.

Arab American Philanthropy Post 9/11

ACCESS established CAAP in 2005 as a way to strengthen the impact of Arab American philanthropy and leverage individual giving locally and nationally in the aftermath of 9/11.

According to Casa, members of the Arab community became reluctant to support charitable organizations after the terror attacks in New York out of fear that they would be suspected of supporting extremist groups. “ACESS saw a need to create a transparent structure of giving, so there would be no question of where the money was going.”

Such “transparency” she said, has reaffirmed the Arab American community’s belief in civic engagement and giving publicly through CAAP.

Nearly a fifth of this year’s CAAP grant funding will go to strengthening Arab American community services here in San Francisco.

The Arab Cultural and Community Center (ACCC) and The Arab Film Festival, both of which serve the greater Bay Area, were awarded a five thousand dollar grant to help with programming.

Founded in 1973, ACCC, which initially began as a social center for the Arab-American community, has developed into a full-fledged social services agency, providing assistance with translations, health education programs and parenting classes, as well as classes on domestic violence, and cultural sensitivity programs for schools and various community organizations.

“Our devoted social services caseworkers have been able to help clients leave spousal abusers and access housing resources, free legal representation and other crucial resources,” said ACCC Membership and Outreach Coordinator Weyam Ghadbian.

ACCC has also expanded its cultural and events programming to better serve the Arab community and to connect it with mainstream society.

“We've developed cultural partners with prominent San Francisco and Bay Area organizations such as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the Legion of Honor, and the La Pena Cultural Center,” said Ghadbian.

According to ACCC, there are an estimated 180,000 Arabs in the Bay Area, of which the group serves about 2,000, in addition to the 10,000-12,000 who attend its annual cultural festival in San Francisco’s Union Square.

Executive Director Sally Al-Daher said she is grateful for CAAP’s continued support and for the recent grant, which will go toward completing a comprehensive, government-mandated audit.

The Arab Film Festival, which also received a CAAP grant, says it will put the funds to helping reach a broader audience. Marking its 15th year, the 10-day festival recently expanded screenings to include Berkeley, San Jose, and Los Angeles, reaching approximately 9,000 viewers last year.

“I always knew film was powerful, but when I saw the impact it had on people, I was convinced,” says Executive Director Michel Shehadeh. “The Residents of San Francisco are very diverse, and this [festival] bridges the gap between Arab culture and these other communities… it dispels the myths and negative stereotyping.”

Shehadeh echoed Al-Daher’s appreciation for CAAP’s activities, while also encouraging more Arab Americans to engage in philanthropy to support social services, arts and culture organizations.
“It’s the gateway to empowerment,” he said.