Welcome to
Project Inspired
Stories of impactful philanthropy from the Arab region
Project Inspired is an unprecedented collection of video interviews and case studies, drawn from conversations with some of the Arab region’s leading philanthropists and foundations.
Offering the most comprehensive look yet at Arab philanthropy, Project Inspired shares insights, advice and best practices from the perspectives of experienced donors, with the aim of inspiring and encouraging impactful giving at scale.
Project Inspired is supported by the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Interviews
Hear from some of the Arab region’s leading philanthropists on what motivates them to give, what causes they choose to support, and how they measure the success of their giving.
These interviews and case studies were produced before the advent of the coronavirus pandemic.
To learn more about what the featured philanthropists and their foundations are doing in response to the Covid-19 crisis, click here.
Bold Giving Initiatives
Nonprofits are catalysts and implementers of bold initiatives taking place in the Arab region, supported by visionary philanthropists who believe in their work. Explore below to learn more about impactful projects underway in areas such as poverty alleviation, livelihoods and public health. For details of other notable projects in the region, click here. To access further research and notes on the selection process, click here.
TACKLING HUNGERIN EGYPT
The Egyptian Food Bank launched in 2006 with the goal of wiping out hunger. Today, its innovative approach to food relief and tackling the root causes of hunger has spread to 30 countries worldwide.
Primary philanthropist MOEZ EL SHOHDI
established EFB WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2006; FBRN WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2013
Primary Focus FOOD SECURITY
geography EGYPT AND THE ARAB REGION
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DISCOVERING “WHAT WORKS”TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that decisions on scaling programs and shaping policy are informed by rigorous data.
Primary philanthropist THE JAMEEL FAMILY THROUGH COMMUNITY JAMEEL
established 2003; J-PAL MENA ESTABLISHED 2020
Primary Focus Cross-sectoral, including agriculture, crime and conflict, education, employment, environment and energy, financial inclusion, gender, health, political economy, and humanitarian assistance
geography Research conducted in 86 countries, including nine Arab countries (Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Yemen). Global office at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT) in the US, and seven regional offices: Africa, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, North America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Middle East and North Africa
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BUILDING PATHWAYSOUT OF POVERTY IN UPPER EGYPT
The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development took a bold approach to tackling poverty in rural Upper Egypt: to pilot farming models from other regions; find what works, and then work with partners to scale these practices across the country.
Primary philanthropist THE SAWIRIS FAMILY
established 2012
Primary Focus AGRICULTURE AND LIVELIHOODS
geography UPPER EGYPT
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POOLING PHILANTHROPIC CAPITALTO IMPROVE HEALTH AND LIVELIHOODS
The Shefa Fund is a pooled fund that fosters collaboration and learning among individual Arab philanthropists, with the goal of improving the health and livelihoods of vulnerable children and families in the Middle East and beyond.
Primary philanthropist Khaled and Olfat Juffali, in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
established 2013
Primary Focus Health and emergency relief
geography Middle East and Africa
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CUTTING JORDAN’STRAFFIC DEATHS
The Hikmat Road Safety (HRS) initiative aims to reduce the high number of traffic-related injuries and fatalities in Jordan and bring about lasting change in the road safety system by creating awareness around the issue, developing road safety infrastructure, and changing behaviors of drivers and pedestrians.
Primary philanthropist MAHER KADDOURA
established 2008
Primary Focus ROAD SAFETY
geography JORDAN
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PROMOTINGYOUTH-DRIVEN CHANGE
Young people have the potential to be powerful catalysts of change, if given the chance. Ruwwad Al-Tanmeya provides a channel for the private sector to help mobilize youth, and empower them to be agents of change in their communities.
Primary philanthropist Fadi Ghandour
established 2005
Primary Focus Youth and community development
geography Jabal Al Natheef, Al-Beidha (“Little Petra”), and Al-Tafileh in Jordan; Ezbet Khairallah in Cairo, Egypt; Jabal Muhsen and Bab El-Tebbaneh in Tripoli, Lebanon; and Qibya, Ni’lin, and Der Qiddis around Budrus in Palestine
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TRANSFORMING LIVESTHROUGH VENTURE PHILANTHROPY
Alfanar is a venture philanthropy organization that provides funding, along with the necessary management and planning supports, to promising social enterprises that are addressing critical social issues. Its goal is to help those organizations grow and sustain their impact over the long term.
Founder, and Chair Tarek Ben Halim, Lubna S. Olayan
established 2004
Primary Focus Education, youth employment, and women's economic empowerment
geography Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and refugee communities
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